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

CNIB Saskatchewan – Spring Programs

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

To register for the Advocacy programs or for more information please contact Amanda Titman at amanda.titman@cnib.ca or call 306-261-1606.

  1. Advocacy 101 – Self Advocacy: Spring 2024 details TBC. This program is focused on the six steps to successful self-advocacy. The program includes four sessions. In this series, we will focus on: What is advocacy? What makes an effective self-advocate? When do people self-advocate? Why be a self-advocate? 
  2.  Get on Board Campaign: Experience what it is like to be blind and travel around your community using public transit. The Get on Board Campaigns will focus on Regina in the spring and Prince Albert in the fall. Target audience: schools, mayor, media, MLAs, transit staff.
  3. Saskatchewan Advocacy Group:  Second Wednesday of every month, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Zoom. With CNIB’s new strategic plan, The Way Forward we will remove barriers today, tomorrow, together. This group of community engagement volunteers advocate for changes and to bring awareness to the communities across Saskatchewan. The Advocacy Group will focus on our three strategic commitments: Attitude is Everything, Safe & Accessible Journeys, and Our Kids Will Thrive. 

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Children & Youth Programs

To register for Children & Youth programs or for more information please contact Amanda Titman at amanda.titman@cnib.ca or call 306-261-1606.

  1. Braille Creative Writing Contest: Calling all aspiring young writers! The 2024 Braille Creative Writing Contest is now accepting entries. Since 1997, CNIB has organized a Canada-wide Braille Creative Writing Contest for children and youth. This important competition celebrates braille literacy and encourages young people to flex their creative muscles while practicing their braille skills. Write a short story, essay, or poem on any topic or re-purpose something you've written for school this year! Show off your creative writing talents for a chance to win cash prizes. The contest is open to primary and secondary students (grades K-12) who are blind or partially sighted and live in Canada. 
  2. Learn To Code: Spring 2024 details TBC. This program is for youth ages 7-14 who would like to learn to code and understand how to create using technology. This program is guided with curriculum developed by Microsoft to help the kids learn the basics of how code is built and used, using new technology called Code Jumper. This technology will help build the confidence of the youth with technology and allow them to discover what technology can do for them. Technology can open the world to people who are blind or partially sighted and the earlier that world is opened up the more opportunities there will be. 
  3. Next Step Coding: Spring 2024 details TBC. Next step coding is designed to teach kids the skills of touch typing, and the language used for programs such as Python.
  4. Summer Adventure Camps: Join us for 2 fun filled days outdoors. This summer camp provides youth with the opportunity to advance their skills, as well as interact with their peers and take part in multiple recreational activities. Come join us during our fun filled summer day camps. For kids aged 5-18.
  5. Youth Adventure Club - Regina: Third Tuesday of every month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at CNIB Regina. Saskatoon: Third Wednesday of every month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at CNIB Saskatoon. This program is designed to provide youth who are blind or partially sighted opportunities to develop leadership, advocacy, and compensatory skills in a social setting with the goal of building self-esteem, confidence, social and community engagement, and self-advocacy (empowerment). In Youth Leadership, the goal is to increase the participants confidence and knowledge about transitioning to post-secondary and work environments. The group also nurtures independence and helps the youth find out what they are capable of, while having fun and learning to support themselves and others. There will be opportunities for the youth to take on leadership roles and be involved in projects as well as, listen to guest speakers and learn from them. Youth Leadership participants are encouraged to be mentors during the CNIB summer camps as Counselors in Training (CITs)
  6. Youth Empowerment Series: Spring 2024 details TBC. CNIB has developed a 6-part workshop series for young people to finesse and strengthen their advocacy and leadership skills. This series will be delivered by facilitators who have lived experience and is full of lots of tips and tricks to make the journey more direct. Sometimes leadership skills are necessary just for managing our own journey into the next chapter. And we all want to set ourselves up for success.

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Culture, Sport & Recreation Programs

To register for the Culture, Sport & Recreation Programs or for more information, please contact Aashini Patel at aashini.patel@cnib.ca or call 306-514-0558.

  1. Art at Remai Modern:  Details TBC. CNIB has partnered with the Remai Modern Art Gallery to bring an opportunity to create and to enjoy a descriptive tour. This program happens four times a year. Please join us for a described tour of art exhibits followed by a tactile art project. All materials and instruction will be provided. If you need an ASL interpreter, please let us know a minimum of five days in advance. 
  2. Dunlop Art Group: Last Monday of every month, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. This group is in partnership with the Dunlop Art Gallery in Regina. They provide craft supplies and an instructor to walk you through a craft each month. The supplies are mailed directly to your home and the meetings take place over Zoom. *Must Register to receive materials by mail.
  3. Regina Walking Group: Once a month on Saturday, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Arcola East Community Center (3860 Buckingham Drive). This group meets at Arcola East Community Center in Regina once a month to go for a walk in the indoor track. There are volunteers available to assist with sighted guide if needed. It would be a relaxing time to exercise, have a chat or just network with the folks.
  4. Regina YMCA Exercise Hour:  Thursday, April 4 & 18, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at YMCA (5939 Rochdale Blvd). CNIB is excited to offer our exercise hour! During this program, participants will have the chance to try a variety of physical activities in a safe and supportive environment. From yoga to kickboxing, Pilates and more, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
  5. Saskatoon Walking Group: Second Wednesday of every month, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Market Mall (2325 Preston Avenue S). Physical activity is very important and a great opportunity to connect with others experiencing vision loss. The walking group is open to all adults. Meet at the FreshCo entrance. If the weather is good, we will walk outside.
  6. Tandem Bike: May to September, locations across Saskatchewan. Experience the joy and freedom of cycling. Participants are paired with “captain” volunteers for a safe and enjoyable ride.

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Peer Support Programs

Unless otherwise noted, to register for the Peer Support Programs or for more information, please contact Aashini Patel at aashini.patel@cnib.ca or call 306-514-0558.

  1. Estevan Peer Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of every month, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Estevan Public Library (701 Souris Avenue N).
  2. Kindersley Peer Support Group: Second Tuesday of every month, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Caleb Village (60 Stevenson Crescent). 
  3. Prince Albert Peer Support Group:  Fourth Wednesday of every month, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Prince Albert Arts Centre – Heritage Room (1010 Central Ave.). 
  4. Regina Peer Support Group: Second and fourth Tuesday of every month 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at CNIB Regina.
  5. Riverside Terrace Peer Support Group: First Thursday of every month, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Riverside Terrace (915 Riverside Terrace). 
  6. Virtual Saskatchewan and Manitoba Indigenous Peer Support Group:  First and third Wednesday of every month, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. over Zoom or teleconference. This program is designed for blind or partially sighted Indigenous individuals who are wanting to connect with others who are experiencing similar circumstances in a safe and comfortable setting. Our Peer Support Volunteers take a leading role coordinating and facilitating this program. To register, email brett.cleghorn@cnib.ca or call 204-290-3294.
  7. Saskatoon Older Adult Peer Support Group: First Tuesday of every month, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at LutherCare Towers (1223 Temperance St.)
  8. Swift Current Peer Group: First and third Thursday of every month, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., at Swift Current Lions Hall (155 3rd Ave.).
  9. Virtual Coffee Chat Group: Every Friday 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. on Zoom or teleconference. Make new connections and find friendships and enjoyable conversation. The focus is on a positive, inclusive, and safe support network for people who have experienced sight loss. Everyone is welcome. 
  10. Virtual Working Voices Support Group: Last Wednesday of every month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Zoom or teleconference. This peer support is targeted at our participants ages 25- 60 who are working and would like to connect with others in the community with similar experiences. It would be a great place to share information as well as learn from guest speaker on variety of topics from how to write a great resume to how to stay connected in a virtual world.
  11. Weyburn Peer Support Group:  Second Thursday of every month, 6:30 p.m.  – 8:00 p.m. Weyburn Public Library (45 Bison Avenue). 

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Technology Programs

  1. Phone it Forward/iPad Deployment: By appointment only. This program is designed to equip participants with technology to increase independence. Phones are set up by CNIB Program Leads and training is provided by Vision Loss Rehabilitation (VLR) Specialists. We provide iPhone and a variety of Android phones. Phones have the following accessible apps: Be My Eyes, Seeing AI, BlindSquare Events. For more information or to register, please contact Aashini Patel at aashini.patel@cnib.ca or call 306-514-0558

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Vision Mate

Our vision mate program matches individuals living with vision loss with specially trained volunteers who offer companionship and one-on-one assistance with day-to-day tasks and companionship. Vision mate volunteers assist individuals with a variety of activities, leisure activities, career mates, organizing, labelling, as well as enjoying recreational activities together – like playing cards and going for walks. If there is something in your life that can be enhanced by a Vision Mate, we will work with you to accommodate that if possible. For more information or to register please contact Amanda Titman at Amanda.Titman@cnib.ca or 306-261-1606.

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Special Events

CNIB Scholarships

Unlock Your Future: Apply for a CNIB Scholarship Today! Ready to chase your dreams? CNIB scholarships are here to support your personal and professional aspirations. Whether you're just starting out in a cool apprenticeship, diving into skilled trades, or leveling up with continuing education, there are multiple scholarships, bursaries, and other educational awards available to people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. It doesn't matter where you are on your journey – from youth to adults – a scholarship or bursary is waiting just for you. If you are pursuing a diploma or degree, skilled trades certificate, apprenticeship, continuing education program, or post-graduate degree, we encourage you to apply for a CNIB scholarship. Let's make your aspirations a reality, together!

CNIB Scholarships Information Session: Thursday, May 9, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Zoom. Have questions about applying for a CNIB scholarship or need some help understanding how to complete the application? Join us on Thursday, May 9 for a virtual information session where we’ll outline available scholarships, eligibility criteria, review the application process and deadlines, and answer any burning questions that you may have.

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!

  • Weyburn: Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Wheatland Senior Centre (888 1st Ave NE, Weyburn)
  • Estevan: Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Estevan Lions Club, Nicholson Centre (701 Souris Ave., Estevan)
  • Prince Albert: Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Margo Fournier Arts Centre (1010 Central Ave., Prince Albert)
  • La Ronge: Monday, May 13, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a community barbecue at the Royal Canadian Legion (1400 La Ronge Ave, La Ronge)

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

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Support CNIB

If you would like to donate to support CNIB’s innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. Please visit cnib.ca/donate and give today!

Join us on Saturday, April 20, 2024 for our annual CNIB Guide Dogs with Purpose Gala at the Delta Hotel Regina! All event proceeds go to the CNIB Guide Dogs Program in Saskatchewan. Contact Nanette Ermel at 306-216-1529 or email Nanette.Ermel@cnib.ca for sponsorship opportunities and to purchase a table or individual tickets!

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Community Partners & Resources

Canadian Blind Hockey
Canadian Council of The Blind (CCB)
Saskatchewan Blind Sports Association (SBSA)

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CTA Link
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