An illustration of a calendar on a yellow background outlined in a black paintbrush-style design with white accents. Text: CNIB British Columbia Programs – Fall 2024.

CNIB British Columbia – Fall Programs

Join us! Our free programs are available to people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision as well as their families, friends and caregivers. Below, you'll find a snapshot of programs offered across the province throughout the fall. 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. Accessible Community Engagement Presentation: By request, CNIB staff or volunteers provide virtual or in-person presentation about sight loss and CNIB services to businesses, community centres, schools, care homes and more. Please book a presentation by filling out the online form here. If you require any assistance, please contact Terry Kalkanis, Manager, Stakeholder Relations & Executive Operations at Terry.Kalkanis@cnib.ca or 604-431-2121 ext. 6030.  
  2. One-On-One Advocacy Support: CNIB Advocacy staff provides guidance and resources about any sight-loss related advocacy issues. Appointments are required. For more information, email Jamie.Auman@cnib.ca or call 604-431-2121 ext. 6022.

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Children & Youth Programs

  1. BC-Yukon Family Advocacy Group: Third Thursday of every month, from September 26 to March 13, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. This new parent/guardian advocacy group aims to empower and connect families across the province and territory working to accomplish advocacy-based goals, such as equitable education for students who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. This program was created in response to feedback from parents, guardians, and students regarding their need for extra support. Parents/guardians will create the agenda, set goals, and collaborate on accomplishing advocacy action items. The sessions will be facilitated by a parent member of the group, and CNIB will support the group based on their determined goals when needed. At the end of each session, an additional thirty minutes will be available for social interaction. Attendance is on a drop-in basis, as we understand families are busy and appreciate your time. For more information or to register, please contact Alix Straith, Program Lead, Children and Youth at Alix.Straith@cnib.ca or 778-990-2356.
  2. Life Beyond High School: A CNIB Information Session:  Tuesday, October 15, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at CNIB New Westminster or via Zoom. As students transition out of high school, CNIB is here to support them, their parents/guardians, and TSVIs as they succeed in life beyond high school. Join us online or in person for an information session in October. The first hour will include presentations on five departments within CNIB, including scholarships, volunteering opportunities, Come To Work, and more. The session will end with an engaging thirty-minute networking opportunity to answer any of your questions. A resource document will also be emailed to participants with CNIB staff contacts and program registration. Light refreshments will be available during the in-office presentation in New Westminster. This is also an opportunity to meet others graduating in the area.
  3. Music for Kids - Monday Session: Every Monday, 3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Music Therapist Erin Koop hosts weekly sessions for children and youth participants across the country. These interactive sessions are filled with songs, stories, and more!  Get ready to make some music! 
  4. Music for Kids - Tuesday Session: Every Tuesday, 2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. Music Therapist Erin Koop hosts weekly sessions for children and youth participants across the country. These interactive sessions are filled with songs, stories, and more!  Get ready to make some music! 
  5. Song Bingo Game Night:  Biweekly on Fridays, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Come join us for intergenerational fun! All you need to participate is access to a phone or Zoom and a bingo card at home or online. Feel free to play as a family or house. There will be prizes for the first three bingo winners of each game and those who correctly name the most tunes. This program is open to kids and “kids at heart” (all ages). Registration required. To register, please fill out the form here. For more information, please contact Shruti Shravah, Program Coordinator, Children & Youth, at Shruti.Shravah@cnib.ca or 604-644-6536. 

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Culture, Sport & Recreation Programs

  1. Coffee-Talks: Biweekly on Fridays, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. via Zoom. Each session will have a topic of discussion. This program is designed for those 19+.  To register, please contact Leni White, Coordinator, Community Engagement at Leni.White@cnib.ca or 250-595-1100, ext. 6039.
  2. Seated Dance Fitness Zoom: Every Thursday, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Adaptive Dance instructor Tiffany Tjosvold will lead a virtual high energy, seated dance class for participants ages 19+. This class is suitable for all fitness levels. To register, please contact Leni White, Coordinator, Community Engagement at Leni.White@cnib.ca or 250-595-1100, ext. 6039.
  3. Victoria Harmony Choir: Every Friday, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at CNIB Victoria. This program intends to bring youth and adults who are blind or partially sighted from across Vancouver Island to experience many benefits for the mind, body, and soul that community and singing can bring. We are thrilled to welcome Marcelina Stanton as the musical director. She is a Latin American musician who loves to perform popular and traditional songs and play guitar. No prior singing experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome, and if you play an instrument, you are invited to bring it along! To register, please fill out the online form. For more information, please contact Leni White at Leni.White@cnib.ca or 250-595-1100, ext. 6039. 

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Come to Work Programs

  1. Dress For Success Workshop: Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at CNIB Victoria or via Zoom. This fun and interactive one-hour workshop will take you through a fashion journey on how to "dress for success" for a job interview, answering all questions on what to wear and what not to wear. This workshop is only open to registered Come to Work program participants in the region. If you are interested in registering, please contact Nat Kiyan, Program Coordinator at Nat.Kiyan@cnib.ca or 236-880-7617.
  2. Youth Transition Advanced Series:  Every other Thursday, 4:30 p.m. from September 12 to November 21 at CNIB Victoria or via Zoom. Join us for a series of sessions that emphasize career-based skill-building for those between the ages of 15 and 30 years old. Our Advanced Series will focus on topics such as crafting the perfect resume and cover letter, advocacy at all ages and stages, as well as achieving work-life balance. To register, please contact James Kwinecki, Program Coordinator, Career and Employment (Youth) at James.Kwinecki@cnib.ca or 236-880-4640.

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Peer Support Programs

  1. Kelowna Peer Support Group: Third Wednesday of every month, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Rotary Centre for the Arts (421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna). A monthly community-based senior support group for Kelowna area residents aged 55+ to discuss issues relating to sight loss and to socialize with others. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics. 
  2. Kelowna Working-Age Connections Group: First Wednesday of every month, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at CNIB Kelowna. This is a monthly community-based support group for Kelowna area residents (ages 30-55) that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics.
  3. Prince George Connections Group: Biweekly on Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Prince George & District Senior Citizens Activity Centre Society (425 Brunswick St., Prince George). This is a community-based support group for Prince George residents that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support.
  4. Vancouver Seniors Connections Group: Third Wednesday of every month, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. via Zoom. This is a community-based senior support group for Vancouver area residents aged 55+ that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support.
  5. Vancouver Working-Age Connections Group: First Thursday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. This is a community-based support group for Vancouver area residents (ages 30-55) that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support. Guest speakers are occasionally invited to present on different topics.
  6. Victoria & Abbotsford Connections Group:  Second Thursday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. via Zoom. This is a community-based support group for Victoria and Abbotsford area residents that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support.
  7. Victoria Connections Group: First Thursday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m at CNIB Victoria. A community-based support group for Victoria area residents that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to vision loss support. 
  8. Vision Odyssey Day for Families & Friends (New Westminster): Saturday, October 26, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at CNIB New Westminster. which your trusted family member or friend could attend to learn about sight loss and to connect with others. This is a single day workshop for families and friends of people with sight loss which will talk about strategies on how to support you in your daily life, myths and misconceptions, CNIB and Vision Loss Rehabilitation services and grief and loss (stages of grief, anticipatory grief, secondary losses, changes of family structure and roles, tools and coping mechanisms). It will be lead by Sara Jaswal, certified Grief Counselor, and co-facilitated by Stephanie Leippi, CNIB Program Lead. To register, please contact Jamie Auman at Jamie.Auman@cnib.ca or 604-431-2121 ext. 6022.
  9. Vision Odyssey Day for Families & Friends (Victoria): Saturday, November 2, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at CNIB Victoria. This is a single day workshop for families and friends of people with sight loss which will talk about strategies on how to support you in your daily life, myths and misconceptions, CNIB and Vision Loss Rehabilitation services and grief and loss (stages of grief, anticipatory grief, secondary losses, changes of family structure and roles, tools and coping mechanisms). It will be lead by Sara Jaswal, certified Grief Counselor, and co-facilitated by Stephanie Leippi, CNIB Program Lead. To register, please contact Jamie Auman at Jamie.Auman@cnib.ca or 604-431-2121 ext. 6022.

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CNIB SmartLife & Technology Programs

  1. 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. It is Canada’s largest retailer of assistive products for people with sight loss, serving over 20,000+ people a year, offering 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.
  2. CNIB SmartLife Tech @ Home: Explore cutting-edge assistive devices right in your own home! If you live in BC and want to try a wide range of accessible technology, look no further than our innovative program Tech @ Home. Check out the accessible brochure, and discover the financial assistance programs in your province. Every Canadian with sight loss has the right to access accessible technology.
  3. Assistive Technology Primers: Offers 1-on-1 training at CNIB locations or public libraries. These 90 minutes sessions are intended to give additional assistance to participants who have trouble learning in a group or virtual setting. Various dates in Prince George, Kelowna, Victoria and the Lower Mainland. To book, please reach out to Julia Bonnett at Julia.Bonnett@cnib.ca or 778-897-3115.
  4. Gift of Technology: Through the generosity of our donors, this program is able to provide various Assistive Technology devices at no cost to participants living with sight loss in BC. If you could benefit from an updated piece of technology or software, please reach out to Amit Ram at Amit.Ram@cnib.ca or 778-312-3155.
  5. Phone It Forward: Driven by the guiding principle to put as many smart devices into the hands of British Columbians living with sight loss as possible, the Phone It Forward program provides free smartphones and tablets to CNIB participants who are in need. To learn more, contact Amit Ram at Amit.Ram@cnib.ca or 778-312-3155.
  6. Tech Mate: By being matched with a tech savvy volunteer, you learn how to use technology devices to your advantage. Tech Mate program provides one on one instruction on how to use technology to gain or regain independence.
  7. Wireless Wednesday:  Every second and fourth Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Are you new to assistive technology? Want to get more out of your smart device or computer? This Zoom workshop is a 2 for 1! This drop-in workshop offers a short learning module on an Assistive Technology topic, followed by a tech-focused Q&A session. Come prepared to swap tips and tricks and strengthen your own tech skills in the process. To learn more, contact Amit Ram at Amit.Ram@cnib.ca or 778-312-3155.

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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 additional questions, please contact Sharon Pratt at Sharon.Pratt@cnib.ca.

  • Cranbrook: Monday, October 7. 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Cranbrook Public Library (1212 2nd Street North, Cranbrook)
  • Castlegar: Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Castlegar & District Public Library (1005 3 Street, Castlegar)

For additional confirmed locations and dates, please visit www.cnib.ca/mobilehub.

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Special Events

CNIB is proud to support James' Run for a Brighter Future, a remarkable initiative led by one of our own dedicated team members. Driven by his lived experience, James wants to bring awareness to the importance of participating in physical activity. This fundraiser is not only raising crucial funds but also bringing awareness to CNIB and the work we are doing in the local community to support individuals and families impacted by sight loss. If you share James' passion and want to change what it is to be blind, we would love to hear from you! You can also host your own fundraiser and CNIB will be here to help along the way. To get started or for more information, please email Anais.Bedford@cnib.ca.

We also want to give a big shoutout to BCI team and all volunteers who supported this year's Eye Appeal Art Gala in Victoria. We are deeply grateful for their incredible support in making the event a tremendous success! If you are interested in volunteering for CNIB please email Ben.Finkelberg@cnib.ca.

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Community Corner

Self-Management - Lifelong Learning BC:  Every Tuesday from October 8 to November 12, 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at CNIB Victoria. We are thrilled to introduce the Self-Management - Lifelong Learning BC program supported by the Province of British Columbia and the University of Victoria. This six-week program offers free health programs for adults with chronic conditions, available in various formats for BC residents. Self-management is all about having the skills and confidence to live well with chronic conditions. As Dr. Kate Lorig puts it, it means being “happy, healthy, and active between visits to the doctor.” Through this program, you’ll gain valuable insights into managing long-term health issues that require ongoing medical care and lifestyle adjustments. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to enhance your well-being and connect with others on a similar journey. To register or for more information, please contact Leni White at Leni.White@cnib.ca or 250-216-9909. We look forward to seeing you there!

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