Upcoming Events

This newsletter is for those interested in virtual or in person programs that are run specifically out of the Ontario West region.

This is a waitlist for when we have enough interest in the Windsor area for a Friendly Chat Peer Social Group. The program will be for those who are wanting friendly conversation and encouragement. It is designed for individuals who are blind or low vision to connect with others who are experiencing similar circumstances. Meetings will tie in good practices, information, discussions, caring and support. We hope that this group will start by being offered once a month in person. Once we are able to run this group, you will be contacted.

This is a waitlist for when we have enough interest in the St. Catharines area for a Friendly Chat Peer Social Group. The program will be for those who are wanting friendly conversation and encouragement. It is designed for individuals who are blind or low vision to connect with others who are experiencing similar circumstances. Meetings will tie in good practices, information, discussions, caring and support. We hope that this group will start by being offered once a month in person. Once we are able to run this group, you will be contacted.

VocalEye is the first dedicated live description service for blind and partially sighted people in Canada. Since its inception, VocalEye has described over 300 live events including theatre performances, dance, opera, parades, fireworks and public art tours for people who are blind and partially sighted. VocalEye Almost Live Zoom events are hosted by members of the blind community with special guest artists most Wednesday evenings.

As part of our "Get on Board!" campaign, we hope you can join us at a local town hall to share your experiences and ideas of how we can improve the accessibility of regional transit systems! Your involvement will help us grow the conversation around the lack of accessible public transit in many parts of Canada.

This is a virtual group that gets together every Thursday morning for a general group conversation. There is no planned topic of conversation but it is kept positive and light! Every Thursday from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom.

Join to connect with other people in the Burlington area for conversation, support and good practices. First, second and third Thursday of every month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom

Mastery of the computer keyboard is essential for anyone using a computer, especially for someone using a screen reader. With this in mind, we are now offering weekly keyboarding coaching sessions at the CNIB Community Hub on Thursday's.

If your interested in learning how to play the guitar or or ukulele, or even just advance your skills, these lessons are here for you! Each lesson will be 60 minutes. You are welcome to bring your own guitar/ukulele, and one will be available if needed.

Understanding, support, mentorship and advice when you need it most. Struggling with the emotional challenges of sight loss? We're here for you. This is a peer support group in Richmond Hill led by volunteer, Miriam Salah. Richmond Hill VIP meets on first Thursday of every month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom.

Join us for our weekly social meet up group. We’ll get to know each other, share some good news stories, and socialize. Every Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. Mountain Time on Zoom.

The CNIB KnitWits are a group of people who meet biweekly to discuss and share knitting related topics. We share patterns, chat about life in general, and support each other with tips and tricks to enhance our knitting and life skills with vision loss. Biweekly on Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Calling all knitters – whether you’re a beginner or experienced knitter! Come out and enjoy some time with your peers and knit! If you don’t know how to knit, no problem we can teach you! Every Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the CNIB GTA Community Hub. 

Make new friends, or deepen existing friendships, find support from your peers, and develop more theological insight about biblical understanding. The Bible Study group meets every Thursday (September to June) from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time on Zoom.

Everyone loves games. This games group meets to socialize playing 2 to 3 different lively word games for the hour. Sessions are led by our own professional game hosts (aka CNIB staff and volunteers). We embrace a safe fun time to exercise your mind. Every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Art. Music. Dance. And more! Join us on alternating Thursdays, 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to learn more about "the arts" and explore your own creativity and talents!

Do you enjoy music? Well, Name that Tune is the game for you! Name that tune is a fun game where people can join in to listen and try to name as many songs as they can. First and third Thursday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Adaptive Dance instructor, Tiffany Tjosvold, will be leading a Zoom-based, high energy, seated dance class for participants ages 19+. This class is suitable for all fitness levels. Every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

Join us to play games, chat, and make new friends. Please note that this program is for individuals between 10-14 years of age. Every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

A social group for those who want to keep connect after Seated Dance Fitness has ended. We invite participants to stay and socialize with each other. You can talk about the session, get to know one and other and socialize with the community across Canada.

If you like being read to or listening to audiobooks, then this program is for you! Each week, we will be listening to multiple chapters of a community-selected, family-friendly audiobook and chat about it! Join us Fridays from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time.

Designed for knitters/advanced knitters to work on projects, learn from peers, and enjoy knitting fellowship. Every Friday from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Join us every Friday for a virtual meet up in the prairies with a friendly bunch of people looking to connect with others across the country! Make new connections and find friendships and enjoyable conversation. The focus is on a positive, inclusive, and safe support network of people who have experienced sight loss. Everyone is welcome. Virtual Coffee Group meets every Friday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time on Zoom. 

Here’s your chance to become a drawing ninja and to learn from the best blind cartoonist working today – develop your pencil skills with drawing sensei Doug Knight! Attendees will meet on the second Saturday of every month from 10 to 11 a.m. at the CNIB GTA Community Hub.

If you’ve ever been in an art class and felt a little lost, this could be the program for you. The facilitator takes traditional visual art materials and modifies or replaces them with tactile media so that everyone can have fun with art. If you wish to try painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and crafts, join the Finger Magic Art Workshop. Attendees will meet on the second Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the CNIB GTA Community Hub.

If you have a green thumb (or you'd like to have one), then this gardening discussion group is for you! We swap success stories, talk about our favorite plants, and generally 'dish the dirt' on all things horticultural. For all levels of garden enthusiasts. Whether you patio or container garden, or have lots of gardening space, the time in this group will just buzz by. Every Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

This Adjustment to Vision Loss (AVL) Discussion Series keeps the interactive conversation going. In a safe and confidential, peer led, (virtual) space, people with sight loss can drop in to explore, contribute, and understand the many emotions and losses associated with sight loss, and build self-confidence for leading a meaningful and independent life. Second Monday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

In a caring and supportive virtual environment with peers, participants will explore meditation, and mindfulness attitudes. Through group interaction, participants will develop and share insights, and learn how practice can help with managing life's challenges. This is a 10-week introductory program hosted on Zoom, and is not a drop in format.

Accessible yoga for most skill levels from the comfort of your home. Check out accessible yoga if you are looking for a classic yoga class with descriptive prompts. Designed for people with vision loss, the instructor will verbally walk you through all the poses and movements. Please bring a yoga mat, a bottle of water, and your breath! Accessible Yoga meets every Monday from  5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Love cooking or would love to know more about cooking? Join this group to share ideas, tips, tricks and the joy of cooking and baking! Let's Talk Cooking meets on Zoom, every Monday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Music Therapist Erin Koop hosts weekly sessions on Zoom for children and youth participants across the country. These interactive sessions are filled with songs, stories, and more!  Get ready to make some music!  This group runs on Zoom, every Monday from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

The informal coffee chat group is a chance to socialize and meet new people. It is a very warm and welcoming group of regulars and newcomers. Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Atlantic Time on Zoom. 

Join us for conversation, laughter, and a chance to reminisce about your favourite CNIB Lake Joe memories. Pour yourself a coffee, tea, or beverage of choice, login and connect with your friends from Lake Joe. Coffee Break meets every Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

The "I Can...Create" Art project will give you a chance to practice flexing your creative muscles and gain knowledge and confidence in expressing yourself through whatever art avenue you choose. This is a program for the Windsor and Essex area youth aged 29 and under. 

Are you craving that social interaction you normally get from going for coffee with friends ? We are here to keep the virtual conversation going post pandemic! Since we've gotten to know each other, lets stay connected and share some good news stories, discuss practical tips and successes with others living with vision loss. Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Tech Connect is an interactive, engaging and educational program where participants discuss different technologies/apps that can help make life a bit easier! Participants will learn about technologies other participants use and you are then able to ask questions to get help with your own technology/apps. Second Tuesday of every month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom. 

Get ready to dance your heart out! Dust off those dancing shoes and join us for the International Folk Dancing Program with CNIB! Our classes are all about learning and enjoying vibrant dances from around the world. Classes last six weeks and promise to be full of fun and cultural exploration.  Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the CNIB GTA Community Hub (1525 Yonge Street, Toronto).

Come on out for some Kitchen Fun! Kingston area youth and young adults are invited to join us monthly for a cooking club to create something yummy. We will decide on recipes and create a grocery list of ingredients for the next month.  second Tuesday of every month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the CNIB Kingston Hub. 

This coffee group for the guys is currently virtual, and offers an opportunity for interesting and relevant discussions with others who are experiencing vision loss. Get comfortable in your favourite chair and set yourself up with snacks and coffee or your beverage of choice, then bring on the conversation.Second Tuesday of every month from 2 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time at the CNIB Barrie Hub. 

If you have a lively mind, learning is something you never stop doing. History, geography, science, travel, social trends, there’s no end to what we can know. Expand your horizons in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Presenters will offer a range of content, and invite lively conversation. Second Tuesday of every month from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Like it or not, technology is becoming a big part of modern life. Nowadays, people rely on computers and smartphones for work, school, entertainment and connection. For people with vision loss, assistive technology offers all of this as well as increased confidence and independence. Join us over Zoom for Intro to Assistive Technology - find out what is possible and how we at CNIB can help you harness the power of assistive technology. This group meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

The CNIB Mobile Hub visits Fort McMurray on Tuesday, November 12 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. and  Wednesday, November 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Eagle Ridge Community Centre (301 Sparrow Hawk Dr #2, Fort McMurray).

Chair yoga is a good option for anyone with injuries or with mobility issues. You will need comfortable clothing and a sturdy chair without arms or armrests for this class. Techniques include breath work, gentle movement with repetition, postures, sitting meditation and relaxation. No experience required. Chair Yoga meets every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Music Therapist Erin Koop hosts weekly sessions on Zoom for children and youth participants across the country. These interactive sessions are filled with songs, stories, and more!  Get ready to make some music!  This group runs on Zoom, every Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Pacific Time. 

Come join us, your hosts Kevin, Brian and Pierre, as we resume the widely popular – Tech Talk Tuesday. In these hour-long, weekly Zoom sessions we will discuss accessible technology as well as its practical application in everyday life. You don’t need to know a lot about technology: you can just listen if you like. The group consists of beginners as well as advanced users of accessible technology. All questions and ideas are welcomed. Every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. Atlantic Time on Zoom. 

Start your journey seeking a part-time or summer job with CNIB Learning Academy’s Youth Job Club! There is no time like the present to begin your work experiences. Having a part-time or summer job will put some money in your pocket, and you give valuable skills that employers are looking for. Facilitated by staff with sight loss, this program will help participants prepare for their first summer or part-time job Virtual sessions are hosted biweekly on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom. 

Who's got talent? You do! Join us on alternating Tuesdays, 7-8 p.m. Eastern Time to perform (if you wish) and/or enjoy the talents of fellow attendees.

If you love books, this group is for you! This group features guest authors as well as weeks where a different genre or theme are picked. People read their choice of book on the theme and come ready to discuss. It's a great way to build your reading list and learn about what others are reading and the technology they use to access their books. Every Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Zoom. 

Welcome to our yoga class, where tranquility meets movement. Join us in a serene environment designed to restore balance and enhance flexibility. Our experienced instructor will guide you through poses that promote relaxation and strength, whether you're new to yoga or have practiced for years. This class is open to all abilities. Every Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the CNIB Brampton Hub.

This is a waitlist for when we have enough interest in the Brantford area for a Friendly Chat Peer Social Group. The program will be for those who are wanting friendly conversation and encouragement.