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

CNIB British Columbia – Summer 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 summer. 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 BC Act Standards Focus Groups: The Government of British Columbia is seeking input on draft recommendations for Accessibility Service Delivery and Employment Accessibility Standards under the Accessible British Columbia Act. Your input will help form the basis of future accessibility regulations across the province! Join us in person or virtually. Vancouver: July 23, 5:30 p.m. at CNIB New Westminster. Victoria: July 25, 1:30 p.m. at CNIB Victoria.
  2. 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 contacting Terry Kalkanis, Manager, Stakeholder Relations & Executive Operations at terry.kalkanis@cnib.ca or 604-431-2121 ext. 6030.  
  3. 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. Kids Summer Camp 2024 at Easter Seals: From July 15-19, 2024. CNIB participants between the ages of 6-18 from across BC are invited to join us in attending the July 15th-July 19th Camp week at BC Easter Seals Camp Squamish. At Camp Squamish’s accessible site, we will have so many fun classic summer camp activities to try together: swimming, rock climbing, adaptive sports, camping, talent show and so much more! Throughout the week, we’ll have opportunities to gather as a community of peers and connect with other campers with diverse abilities to grow our community even more. This year’s camp is full, but if you want to learn more, please contact Alix Straith at Alix.Straith@cnib.ca or (778) 990-2356. 

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Culture, Sport & Recreation Programs

  1. Coffee-Talks: Biweekly on Friday, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. A biweekly call-in social group. Each session will have a topic of discussion. This program is designed for those 19+.
  2. Seated Dance Fitness Zoom: Every Thursday, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. EXCEPT July and August. 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.
  3. Victoria Harmony Choir: Every Friday, 1:30 p.m. to 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 leni.white@cnib.ca or call 250-595-1100, ext. 6039. 

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Peer Support Programs

  1. Victoria Connections Group: Every 1st Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 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. To register, email jamie.auman@cnib.ca or call 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 call 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 call 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, email amit.ram@cnib.ca or call 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. Tech Primer Café – Victoria: Wednesday, July 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at CNIB Victoria. 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 browse through the SmartLife shop at the same time? Come join us at CNIB Victoria SmartLife shop. We’ll spend some time “in class”, followed by some 1:1 work and the chance to check out SmartLife. We'll share some learning - and some laughs - together! For more information or to register, please contact Julia Bonnett at julia.bonnett@cnib.ca or call 778-897-3115.

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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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Special Events

The 25th Biannual CNIB Eye Appeal Art Gala and Artists’ Reception was a huge success, and we are still in awe of the incredible support that made this possible. Together, we raised an impressive $165,000 during the evening, as well as $209,000 gifts-in-kind through the generosity of our artist community!  

We would like to again extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, volunteers, and art donors, whose support was instrumental in making this event possible. This incredible generosity helps support CNIB programs that are delivered across Vancouver Island, empowering people impacted by blindness and tearing down barriers to inclusion.   

Shout out to amazing sponsors: TD, Horne Coupar LLP, Butler Brothers Supplies Ltd., Jakobsen Asset Management, Outlooks for Men, Madrona Gallery, Maximum Express & Freight Ltd,  Alison Ross Appraisals Ltd., Stones Jewellery, Peninsula Gallery - Canada, Everything Wine. 

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