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

CNIB British Columbia – 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 spring. 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. Outreach Presentations: By request, CNIB staff or volunteers provide virtual or in-person presentations 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 have any questions or require assistance filling out the form, please contact Tommy Leung , Manager, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations, at Tommy.Leung@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.
  3. Self-Advocacy Workshop: Sign up to learn how to advocate for yourself. Facilitated by one of CNIB’s advocate volunteers, this workshop will teach you how to be the best self-advocate you can be! To register, please contact Jamie Auman, Program Coordinator, Advocacy & Peer Support at Jamie.Auman@cnib.ca or 604-431-2121 ext. 6022.

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Children & Youth Programs

  1. BC/Yukon Family Advocacy Group:  Third Thursday of every month, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.  on Zoom. This advocacy group for parents and guardians aims to empower and connect families across the province and territory, working to identify advocacy items along with the needs of students who are Deafblind, blind and partially sighted. To create a space for families, the group will be led by a parent facilitator, Sina Muscati, who is a lawyer with Justice Canada, and the father of a son with sight loss. For more information, questions or to register, please contact Alix Straith, Program Lead, Children and Youth at Alix.Straith@cnib.ca or 778-990-2356.
  2. Music for Kids Monday Session: Every Monday, 3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 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! 
  3. Music for Kids Tuesday Session: Every Tuesday, 2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 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! 
  4. Song Bingo Game Night: Come join us on alternating Fridays for a intergenerational fun! All you need to participate is access to phone or Zoom and a bingo card at home or online! Feel free to play individually or as a household. 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. Or, contact Shruti Shravah, Program Coordinator, Children & Youth, at Shruti.Shravah@cnib.ca or 604-644-6536. 
  5. Summer Camps Open House (Virtual):  Thursday, April 3, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Summer is approaching fast! We are excited to host a virtual open house on Zoom to discuss upcoming CNIB summer camp opportunities at BC Easter Seals and Lake Joe. Our camps are open to participants aged 8-18 across BC. CNIB aims to remove financial barriers by covering all camp fees and travel expenses. Please note that participation depends on funding, and we are awaiting the results of our grant applications. We appreciate the support of our generous donors! To register to attend, please fill out this form. 

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Come To Work Programs

  1. Building Healthy Working Relationships:   Thursday April 3, 10, 17, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Join us for the CTW Building Healthy Working Relationships Series! Hosted in collaboration with possAbilities, this series will cover the topics of consent, rights and the law, and building healthy relationships as they relate to the world of work. For more details or support with registration, please contact Ellis.Parsons@cnib.ca.
  2. Career Quest - Navigating your Career Journey with Confidence: Tuesdays and Thursdays until May 15, 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. This is an explorative 6-week series that aims to help participants better understand their career readiness through in-depth assessments of personalities, values, interests, and abilities. In two sessions, each week explores different facets of participants utilizing reliable and valid psychometric tools, while the last week introduces participants to the Canadian Labor market. Most importantly, all participants who complete the workshop series will be eligible to have a maximum of four one-on-one sessions with the career counselor. This is a certificate-based program; thus, all participants who successfully complete the series are awarded certificates. For more details or help with registration, feel free to reach out to Caleb at Caleb.Okoh@cnib.ca.
  3. Visionary Voices - Build Confidence and Find Your Voice:  Every Tuesday in April, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Zoom. This 6-week hybrid series is all about helping you grow your confidence in speaking, in a comfortable and supportive space. Throughout the workshop, you'll have the chance to take on different roles to help guide the sessions, and receive friendly, constructive feedback. We’ll also have a fun Quick-Fire Challenge to help you practice thinking on your feet with a short, impromptu speech each week. Whether you're looking to get more comfortable speaking up in conversations or simply want to express yourself with more confidence, this program is here to support you in finding your voice. For more details or help with registration, feel free to reach out to Adele at Adele.Arrazola@cnib.ca. We’re excited to have you with us and support you on your journey to confident self-expression! 

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Culture, Sport & Recreation Programs

  1. Harmony Choir - Victoria: Every Friday, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at CNIB Victoria. Led by music director Marcelina Stanton, this program aims to increase social connections, confidence, and joy through music. Participants will develop musical skills, teamwork, self-confidence, and more. Singing in a choir offers numerous benefits, including improved mental and physical health, enhanced social connections, cognitive benefits, and a powerful outlet for emotional expression. Come join us and experience the many benefits of singing in a choir. We look forward to making beautiful music together! For more information, please contact Leni at Leni.White@cnib.ca.
  2. Learning Spanish "Paso a Paso": Monday, April 7. Our Learning Spanish "Paso a Paso" is an online program designed to help participants across the country develop their Spanish language skills in a supportive and engaging environment. Whether you are a beginner or looking to improve your existing skills, this program offers tailored lesson plans to meet your needs. Participants will benefit from two-hours lesson plan that provide comprehensive instruction in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in Spanish. These lessons are designed to be interactive and practical, ensuring that you can apply what you learn in real-life situations. To register, please contact Leni at Leni.White@cnib.ca.
  3. Seated Dance Fitness Zoom: Every Thursday, 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. on Zoom. Adaptive Dance instructor Tiffany Tjosvold will lead a high energy, seated dance class over Zoom for participants ages 19+. This class is suitable for all fitness levels.

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Peer Support Programs

  1. Charles Bonnett Syndrome Group: Third Wednesday of every month, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Zoom. Join us for an enlightening program on Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS), a condition that affects individuals with significant vision loss, leading to vivid visual hallucinations. These hallucinations can range from simple patterns or shapes to complex scenes involving people or animals. Importantly, those experiencing CBS are typically aware that these visions are not real, which distinguishes it from other psychiatric disorders. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about CBS, its impact, and ways to support those affected. We look forward to seeing you there!
  2. 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. 
  3. Kelowna Working-Age Connections Group: First Wednesday of every month, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at CNIB Kelowna. 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.
  4. Prince George Connections Group: Biweekly on Tuesday, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Prince George & District Senior Citizens Activity Centre. A biweekly community-based support group for Prince George residents that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support.
  5. Talking Cafe Webinar: We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new program, the Talking Cafe Webinar, starting in April 2025. This unique series of webinars will feature guest speakers with lived experiences, sharing their insights and stories on a variety of engaging topics. Join us for an opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired! The Talking Cafe Webinars will cover mental health, career development, diversity and inclusion, sustainable living, safety and preparedness in weather emergencies, avoiding scams, mindfulness through music, and personal growth through inspiring stories and practical tips from guest speakers with lived experiences.  To register, please fill out this form.
  6. Vancouver Seniors Connections Group: Third Wednesday of every month, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Zoom. A monthly community-based senior support group for Vancouver area residents aged 55+ that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support.
  7. Vancouver Working-Age Connections Group: First Thursday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Zoom. A monthly 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.
  8. Victoria & Abbotsford Connections Group: Second Thursday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Zoom. A monthly community-based support group for Victoria and Abbotsford area residents that offers ongoing emotional adjustment to sight loss support.

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CNIB SmartLife & Technology Programs

  1. AI Unleashed: Tuesday, April 29, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Join youth facilitator Shrey, a 15-year-old CNIB volunteer tech coach and technology enthusiast, as he shares his passion for helping people navigate devices like Windows, Mac, and more. With experience working with companies that develop products for people who are blind, Shrey's journey with AI began out of curiosity. He quickly discovered how to integrate tools like Chat GPT-Plus into his daily life. Sessions will delve into various topics and tips around AI. To register, please fill out this form.
  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. CNIB SmartLife Tech @ Home program: 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. Explore CNIB SmartLife Tech @ HomeCheck 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. 
  4. Gift of Technology: Through the generosity of our donors, this program is able to provide participants in BC with various Assistive Technology devices at no cost. If you could benefit from an updated piece of technology or software, email Amit.Ram@cnib.ca or call 778-312-3155.
  5. Intro to Assistive Technology: Every second Tuesday, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 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 to find out what is possible and how we at CNIB can help you harness the power of assistive technology. To register, contact Amit  at Amit.Ram@cnib.ca or 778-312-3155. 
  6. SmartLife Open House & Tech Cafe - Kelowna: Dates and times TBD. Would you like to sit down with a coffee and a pal to learn the tech that will make vision loss easier? Would you like to have some “hands-on” time with the technology on offer from SmartLife? Come join us as we explore assistive devices and apps as a group, followed by a chance to share tips and tricks with other CNIB peers. We'll share some learning - and some laughs - together! Refreshments will be provided. For more information, please call Julia Bonnett at 778-897-3115. 
  7. SmartLife Open House & Tech Cafe - New Westminster: Third Thursday of every month (except April, July, October & January), 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Would you like to sit down with a coffee and a pal to learn the tech that will make vision loss easier? Would you like to have some “hands-on” time with the technology on offer from SmartLife? Come join us as we explore assistive devices and apps as a group, followed by a chance to share tips and tricks with other CNIB peers. We'll share some learning - and some laughs - together! Refreshments will be provided. For more information, please call Julia Bonnett at 778-897-3115. 
  8. SmartLife Open House & Tech Cafe - Prince George: Third Wednesday of every month, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Would you like to sit down with a coffee and a pal to learn the tech that will make vision loss easier? Would you like to have some “hands-on” time with the technology on offer from SmartLife? Come join us as we explore assistive devices and apps as a group, followed by a chance to share tips and tricks with other CNIB peers. We'll share some learning - and some laughs - together! Refreshments will be provided. For more information, please call Julia Bonnett at 778-897-3115. 
  9. SmartLife Open House & Tech Cafe - Vancouver:  Saturday, April 5, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Vancouver Public Library - Central Library. Come back after lunch for a one-on-one consultation on your own device, call to book your time. Would you like to sit down with a coffee and a pal to learn the tech that will make vision loss easier? Would you like to have some “hands-on” time with the technology on offer from SmartLife? Come join us as we explore assistive devices and apps as a group, followed by a chance to share tips and tricks with other CNIB peers. We'll share some learning - and some laughs - together! Refreshments will be provided. For more information, please call Julia Bonnett at 778-897-3115. 
  10. SmartLife Open House & Tech Cafe - Victoria: Third Tuesday of every month, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Would you like to sit down with a coffee and a pal to learn the tech that will make vision loss easier? Would you like to have some “hands-on” time with the technology on offer from SmartLife? Come join us as we explore assistive devices and apps as a group, followed by a chance to share tips and tricks with other CNIB peers. We'll share some learning - and some laughs - together! Refreshments will be provided. For more information, please call Julia Bonnett at 778-897-3115. 
  11. 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. For more information, please contact Julia at Julia.Bonnett@cnib.ca.
  12. Wireless Wednesday: Second and fourth Wednesday of every month, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Zoom. 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. For more information, please call Amit at Amit.Ram@cnib.ca or 778-312-3155.

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Special Events

  1. 2025 Annual General Meeting - Lower Mainland, South Coast and Fraser Valley: Wednesday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. on Zoom.
  2. 2025 Annual General Meeting - Northern BC: Tuesday, May 27, 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Zoom.
  3. 2025 Annual General Meeting - Vancouver Island: Wednesday, June 4, 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.
  4. 2025 Annual General Meeting - Southern Interior: Wednesday, June 11, 11:30 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Zoom.
  5. 2025 Annual General Meeting - BC Province: Wednesday, June 18, 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.

If you would like to participate, come and join us! To receive the Zoom link for an AGM listed above, please contact Jamie Auman at Jamie.Auman@cnib.ca. 

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

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Community Corner

  1. BC Ombudsperson School Exclusion Survey: Are you or your child a student with diverse needs in BC's K to 12 public education system who has experienced exclusion? The Ombudsperson wants to hear from you! Through an anonymous public questionnaire, they are undergoing an investigation to determine whether exclusions of students with diverse needs are fair. They will report publicly on the results of their investigation once it's complete. If you are interested in participating, complete the online 10-minute survey here.
  2. Canadian Blind Hockey - Victoria: Canadian Blind Hockey is excited to grow our programs from coast to coast to coast. We have been working with dedicated partners in communities across Canada to provide children, youth and adults who are blind and or partially sighted to have the opportunity to play Blind Hockey. Our community includes boys and girls as young as four years old who are taking their very first strides on skates, to the elite members of the Canadian National Blind Hockey Team who proudly wear the Maple Leaf in international competition. Canadian Blind Hockey programs positively contribute to the physical, emotional and mental health of our participants through community building, social recreation, and peer support, while at the same time combatting negative issues common among Canadians with a disability including unemployment, obesity, depression, and social isolation. Canadian Blind Hockey is building a game plan to grow Blind Hockey programming in your community. Click here to register Victoria. For more information, please contact Luca DeMontis at LucaDeMontis@BlindIceHockey.com.
  3. Lacrossing Barriers:  Every Friday in April, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Eagleview Elementary School, Victoria. Do you want to play Lacrosse? Lacrossing Barriers is a Not-for-Profit Organization dedicated to providing opportunities to play sport, move and learn skills to those in marginalized communities who have not always been given a choice. LB believes in All Abilities and All Possibilities, where facilitators focus on the supports someone participating needs to enjoy and succeed. We are offering Adaptive and Inclusive Lacrosse Programming in Victoria. Lacrossing Barriers is committed to providing authentic, respectful and kind programming to whomever wants to try the sport.  For more information, please contact Scott Godfrey at Scott@LacrossingBarriers.org.
  4. Lions Club Health and Wellness Event: Saturday, April 12, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  at Golden Ears United Church, Maple Ridge. Come connect, shop and learn about new products for people with hearing, sight, and mobility disabilities. For more details, please contact MapleRidgeLionsClub@shaw.ca. 
  5. VocalEye Almost Live Zoom Events: VocalEye's Almost Live Zoom events will introduce you to a variety of audio plays, virtual art tours, festival highlights, music, dance, documentary film, storytelling and more with host Amy Amantea and special guest artists. The VocalEye virtual lobby opens at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time for socializing. The host's official welcome and pre-show introduction begins at 6:45 p.m. The feature presentation begins at 7:00 p.m., followed by Q and A and community conversation. Average running time is 90 minutes, not including conversation. Almost Live Zoom events are designed to be accessible for people who are blind and partially sighted, but everyone is welcome to join us. Events are free and registration is required for first-time attendees. Sign up for one event or the whole season. Register here.

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