An illustration of a calendar on a yellow background outlined in a black paintbrush-style design with white accents. Text: CNIB Alberta Programs – Spring 2025.

CNIB Alberta – Spring Programs 2025

Join us! Our free programs are available to Canadians who are blind or partially sighted as well as their families, friends and caregivers. Below, you'll find a snapshot of programs offered across the province throughout the winter. Schedule may be subject to change. We kindly ask participants to register for programs at least one business day before the start date. 

For program offerings available nationwide, explore our online calendar.

Advocacy Programs

  1. CNIB Advocacy Committee: Part of CNIB’s mandate is to build stronger community by educating and advocating – to break down barriers and create an inclusive society in which people with sight loss can thrive. CNIB works with Alberta residents (urban and rural) who are blind or partially sighted to become CNIB Advocate. Participants help to build awareness of what it is to be blind today, correct misconceptions associated with sight loss, advocate to maintain policies that work for our community and change practices and legislation. If you are interested in being part of our Advocacy Committee, email Taylor.Bauer@cnib.ca. 
  2. CNIB Ambassador: The CNIB Ambassador Team amplifies the voices of people who are blind or partially sighted by raising awareness, challenging misconceptions, and inspiring change in communities across Alberta. Ambassadors share their stories and deliver educational presentations covering topics like blindness etiquette, accessibility and inclusion, assistive and accessible technologies, white canes and guide dogs, braille literacy, CNIB programs and services, and more. Presentations are delivered in-person or virtually to businesses, classrooms, healthcare spaces, community groups, governments, senior residences, social gatherings, workplaces, and more. Help us break down barriers by inviting CNIB Ambassadors to discuss the needs and experiences of people living with sight loss by requesting a presentation using this link. For more information, email ambassador.abnwt@cnib.ca.

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Children & Youth Programs

  1. Alberta Access to Education Coalition (AATEC) Summit: Sunday, May 4, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Edmonton Public Library - Stanley Milner Library (downtown). The Alberta Access to Education Coalition, in collaboration with CNIB, is proud to host the second annual Access to Education Summit on May 4th. This year, we are excited to present a comprehensive toolkit of resources designed to equip parents and educators with the tools they need to better support children with sight loss throughout their education journey. In addition to our main summit, we are introducing a special Youth Summit— created for youth, led by youth—featuring dynamic sessions on independence, empowerment, navigating society, wayfinding, and self-advocacy. This event is an opportunity for youth with sight loss, their parents/guardians, school administrators, and other key stakeholders to come together, learn, and collaborate as we work toward Equitable Education for All. Don’t miss this inspiring day of connection, knowledge-sharing, and empowerment! Registration required.
  2. Beeping Eggs 2025 - Calgary: Saturday, April 12, 2025, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at CNIB Calgary. Easter is fast approaching! Join CNIB, Calgary Police Service, and the Calgary Police Youth Foundation as we partner to deliver an adapted version of a fun Easter tradition. Search for 3D printed plastic Easter eggs that are large in size and emit a beeping sound. Families can also look forward to treats, games, a petting zoo filled with a variety of animals, and more!  For many of the kids joining, this is their first chance to fully participate in an Easter egg hunt – a rite of passage and annual tradition for many sighted children. It's a chance for kids with sight loss to just be kids and have fun just like everyone else! Open to CNIB participants aged 0 to 21 and their families. 
  3. Beeping Eggs 2025 - Edmonton:  Sunday, April 13, 2025, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  at Emily Murphy Park. Join us for an adapted, fully accessible Easter Egg Hunt where children with sight loss along with their siblings will search for hidden eggs throughout the park that emit audible electronic beeps. This project is presented in collaboration with The Edmonton Police Foundation, The Rachel Project, the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI), Alberta Society for the Visually Impaired, The Cyber Eagles Robotics Team and Electronic Connections, families can also look forward to games, a music workshop, candy, and a bunny Petting Zoo!
  4. Music Therapy – Calgary: Second and fourth Tuesday of every month, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at CNIB Calgary. Join Elle McAndrews of CORE music therapy and take part in all aspects of music. Explore creating rhythms, music theory, instrument discovery, instrument discovery, emotion through music, and problem solving alongside your peers! Open to CNIB participants ages 6 to 15 (exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis). If you’re unable to join every single week, don’t let that keep you from registering! You can attend whichever sessions work for you, please just let us know if that’s the case. 
  5. Music Therapy – Complex Needs (Virtual): Various dates, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Zoom. It is music to our ears! Join Elle McAndrews of CORE music therapy and take part in all aspects of music. This virtual program is suitable for children and youth ages 3 to 5 with sight loss and ages 5 to 15 with sight loss and additional needs (including but not limited to: speech delay, motor impairment, cognitive delay/impairment). Open to participants residing across Alberta/NWT. Sing along to your child’s favourite songs and shake all your giggles out! Please note that this program is under review and may be expanded to include a wider range of participants. Please keep an eye out for an updated program description in the near future!

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Culture, Sport & Recreation Programs

  1. Edmonton Social Meet-Up: Dates/Location TBC. If you are between the ages of 18-35 and would like to meet up with others in the Edmonton area, this group is for you. The group gets together once a month for a couple of hours to socialize. Dates/locations change monthly.
  2. Western Social Meet Up: Every Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Zoom. This is a general social chat group that meets weekly to chat about anything they feel like. Topics could include local news, weather, books people have read, current events, technology or whatever the group wants to chat about.

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Peer Support Programs

  1. Camrose Peer Support Group: Second Monday of each month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Church of God in Camrose. This peer support group is for community members in the Camrose area to get together and chat about successes, struggles and resources when living with sight loss. 
  2. Edmonton Men’s Peer Support Group:  Second and fourth Wednesday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Virtual and in-person options available. Join our biweekly Men's Peer Support group to discuss adapting to vision loss, learn about new technologies, and the services that CNIB must assist, and also socialize with others going through the same thing.
  3. Edmonton Women’s Peer Support Group: First and third Thursday of each month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 pm at CNIB Edmonton. Join this supportive group of women who meet to talk about issues surrounding vision loss. 
  4. Grande Prairie Peer Support Group: Last Monday of every month, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Cairn on the Boulevard. This peer support group is for community members in the Grande Prairie area to get together and chat about vision loss and their experiences.
  5. Ponoka White Caners Peer Support Group: First Wednesday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Anglican Church. This peer support group is for community members in the Ponoka area to get together and chat about vision loss and their experiences.
  6. Women’s Virtual Peer Support Group: Second Wednesday of every month, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Zoom. Join this supportive group of women who meet to talk about issues surrounding vision loss.    

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CNIB SmartLife & Technology Programs

  1. Accessible Tech Hub - SmartLife Centre: Wednesday, April 15, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at CNIB Edmonton. Join the SmartLife Center for an interactive session exploring the latest in accessible technology. Discover tools and devices that can improve daily living, enhance independence, and support accessibility needs. Whether you're new to assistive tech or looking to expand your knowledge, this hands-on workshop offers valuable insights for everyone. To register, please email Mercy at Mercy.Ededey@cnib.ca.
  2. CNIB SmartLife: Home to a myriad of accessible technologies and devices, CNIB SmartLife is an interactive retail and lifestyle experience like no other. CNIB SmartLife is committed to emboldening people with sight loss to lead independent, active lives and helping them gain access to life-changing technology. CNIB SmartLife is Canada’s largest retailer of assistive products for people with sight loss, serving over 20,000+ people a year. CNIB SmartLife offers services both online and in physical spaces, as well as a variety of accessible technology programs. All proceeds from CNIB SmartLife go to supporting CNIB’s life-changing programs for people with sight loss across Canada.
  3. Discovering Voiceover - Accessibility for All: Thursday, April 10, 1:30 pm.. - 3:30 p.m. at CNIB Calgary. Join us for Part One of a three-part engaging series to learn Voiceover, Apple's screen reading software built for individuals with sight loss. This is a comprehensive session designed to empower individuals with sight loss to confidently navigate Apple devices using Voiceover, Apple's powerful accessibility feature. This workshop will introduce participants to the popular screen reader on Apple devices and the importance of assistive technology in everyday life using gesture navigation and auditory feedback. To register, email Meaghan at Meaghan.Hargrave@cnib.ca.
  4. Let's Tech About It: April 24, May 22, June 27, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at CNIB Calgary. Welcome to Let's Tech About It, a friendly, inclusive peer support group designed for individuals of all skill levels who want to improve their relationship with technology. Whether you're just getting started with your devices or looking to explore advanced features, this group is for you! In Let's Tech About It, participants are invited to bring their questions, challenges, and curiosity about everyday devices—smartphones, tablets, computers, and more. It’s a space where we learn together, share tips, and help each other navigate the ever-evolving world of technology. From troubleshooting common issues to discovering new tools and gadgets, this group offers a supportive environment for everyone. Each session features Q&A time for device related questions, device demonstrations on new features, apps, and tools, tip sharing from peers, and learning opportunities about upcoming devices in the tech world. To register, email Meghan at Meaghan.Hargrave@cnib.ca. Whether you're looking to get the most out of your current tech or explore something new, Let's Tech About It is the perfect place to grow your skills, gain confidence, and stay connected in today’s digital world. Everyone’s journey with technology is unique—let’s support each other in mastering it, one device at a time!
  5. Mastering Voiceover - Unleash the Power: Friday, June 13, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at CNIB Calgary. In Part Three of our voiceover Mastery series, we’ll dive deeper into unlocking the full potential of voiceover and using it to enhance your independence and productivity. Building on the gestures and skills from the previous sessions, this session will empower you to navigate your device with confidence and purpose. By the end of this session, you'll have the tools and knowledge to harness the full power of voiceover, making your device an even more effective and accessible companion. Join us for an inspiring session that will help you feel empowered and confident in your use of technology! To register, email Meghan at Meaghan.Hargrave@cnib.ca.
  6. Navigating Voiceover with Ease: Thursday, May 8, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at CNIB Calgary. Join us for Part Two of our voiceover series, where we build upon the foundation from Session One. This engaging session is designed to help you refine your skills and navigate your device with confidence. You will review gestures form Part One, learn additional gestures, and discover how to adjust voiceover settings for a more personalized experience. To register, email Meghan at Meaghan.Hargrave@cnib.ca.
  7. Seeing Out Loud - Exploring Seeing AI (Virtual): Tuesday, May 13, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Zoom. Seeing AI is a free app that narrates the world around you. Designed for the blind and partially sighted community, this app harnesses the power of both artificial Intelligence and your phone’s camera to open the visual world around you by describing nearby people, text and objects. In this interactive session, participants will have the opportunity to explore Seeing AI on their iPhone or iPad and learn to utilize the application to assist with a variety of daily tasks. To register, email Meghan at Meaghan.Hargrave@cnib.ca.

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Vision Mate

The Vision Mate program matches people who are blind or partially sighted with sighted volunteers who provide companionship and one-on-one assistance with everyday tasks and errands. Activities you and your match do together are based on your needs and interests! Vision Mate volunteers can assist individuals with various activities, including errands, going for walks, labelling and organizing household items, reading, or fun outings and recreational activities.  Matches are made with someone who lives close to your home, school or work. Visits are typically one or two hours a week in the person’s home or another suitable place at a mutually convenient time. This program is also available virtually – with matches connecting by phone or online. For more information or to register, contact Grace O'Driscoll at Grace.ODriscoll@cnib.ca.

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Special Events

Beyond Sight: Hobbies, Interest, and Entrepreneurship: Wednesday, May 21, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Canterra Suites Hotel - Canterra Room in Edmonton. Beyond Sight is a CNIB showcase event highlighting the diverse talents, passions, and entrepreneurial successes of individuals with sight loss. This empowering event promotes inclusion and inspires the community by demonstrating how people with sight loss actively engage in creative interests, hobbies, and entrepreneurship. Stop by to immerse yourself in a community of talent and resilience, learn from inspiring individuals, and discover how people with sight loss continue to pursue their passions. To ensure a great experience for all, please register in advance by contacting Sanduni at Sanduni.Kandegedarage@cnib.ca or 587-388-0567. 

Featured Presenters:
VIPwear – Business dedicated to visibility and awareness for individuals with sight loss.
Art & Painting - Showcasing unique artistic talents and creative work.
Writing & Blogging – Writing and blogging.
Knitting & Quilting – Showcasing handmade crafts.
Sewing & Upcycling – Refurbishing small items.
Baking – Sharing passion for homemade treats
Music - Exploring musical talents.
Makeup & Confidence Coaching – Seint beauty business, teaching women with vision loss how to apply makeup.

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CNIB Mobile Hub

CNIB on the Road – the CNIB Mobile Hub is coming to a community near you. Drop in to meet CNIB staff and learn more about free programs and resources for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. Enjoy a day of recreational and social activities, technology workshops, and much more. Experience the latest breakthroughs in assistive tech from CNIB SmartLife and connect with other members of the sight loss community. We’d love for you to join us when we visit your community! For the most updated list of confirmed locations and dates, please visit www.cnib.ca/mobilehub.

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Community Corner 

Boccia Edmonton (Sponsored by ACPSA):  Every Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Holyrood Elementary School, Edmonton. In this program we introduce individuals to the sport of Boccia in a fun, supportive environment to develop both physical and cognitive skills. Players are introduced to different drills and strategies to challenge them and entertain them. No experience is required, and we provide all equipment including ramps. Cost of participation is $40. For more information, please contact edmonton@aspca.ca.
Calgary Blind Hockey with the Seeing Ice Dogs (ASRAB): Every Sunday, 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at the Rose Kohn Arena. Come play hockey with the Seeing Ice Dogs hockey team. No experience necessary. For people 18+. Youth can participate if parents accompany them at the arena. Sign up by contacting the Calgary Program Coordinator with your name and phone number.
Camrose Blind Hockey: Get involved! - Camrose Blind Hockey is currently looking for individuals interested in trying blind hockey and/or volunteering. The goal in mind is to have full time adult and youth programs running and competing at local, provincial and national levels! Ideally, they would like to recruit 10 to 20 people that would be able to regularly participate in an open ice/free use practice/scrimmage once a month. For more information regarding fees and potential arena schedule, you can contact Hans at redninja411@hotmail.com. Please use Camrose Blind Hockey as your subject line and include your contact information, experience level, age, and desired playing position. 
Edmonton SeeHawks Blind Hockey Team -- where hockey has no limits!:  Come play hockey with the Seeing Ice Dogs hockey team. No experience necessary. Every Sunday at Rose Kohn Arena. Open to all ages and skill levels, the SeeHawks welcome blind and partially sighted participants to experience the excitement of hockey in a fun, inclusive environment. We provide the gear—you bring the energy! With weekend practices at the Downtown Community Arena and plenty of social events, tournaments, and fundraisers, you’ll be part of a dynamic and supportive team. Ready to get started? Contact us directly by phone at 780-863-7346, email us at EdmontonSeeHawks@gmail.com or visit our contact page to learn more!
Virtual Guitar Lessons For Adults: Monday, March 17 to Monday, May 5, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. MDT. BrailleTAB and CNIB would like to invite adults living with sight loss to participate in free guitar lessons. Eight lessons will be given in French at the CNIB Montreal office, while a virtual session in both French and English will also be offered during this time period. To register or for more information, please contact BrailleTAB at 450-286-0496 or info@brailletab.com.

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