Upcoming Events

Connect with others and learn how technology can enable you to work more effectively and efficiently. Weekly sessions are held Wednesday's from April 1, 2020 - June 24, 2020 thanks to the generous support of the Solcz Family Foundation. This virtual program runs via Zoom web conference or teleconference every Wednesday, 4:30-6 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Join in to learn and participate at home! We will educate and demonstrate the basics of staying fit and healthy while at home. Watch LIVE on Facebook or sign up for the email list to get the videos sent to you. Learn about a fitness routine structure, how to use home items to maximize success and get your fitness questions answered. Join us on Facebook Live every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST.

Seeing AI is a free app that narrates the world around you. Designed for the blind and low vision community, this app harnesses the power of AI to describe short texts, products, handwriting, documents, colours, light and even people. This two-part workshop meets via Zoom web conference on April 1 & 8 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

CNIB Unbound is a virtual book club for anyone interested in accessible literacy. Housed on Facebook, the club gives members an interactive community where they can read together, swap notes and perspectives on what they've read, and talk about all things books – from their favourite writers to the latest accessible reading technologies on the market. 
 

CNIB’s resident technology experts will be going LIVE via the Facebook platform. Join the conversation in this new format twice a week every week. Every Monday and Thursday from 2:30 p.m to 3 p.m. EST on Facebook Live!

Call in to our virtual Tech It Out sessions to learn about new accessible technology and apps and how you can access them from home. The group will be meeting every Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. Atlantic Time for March and April. 

Are you craving that social interaction you normally get from going for coffee, attending meetings or going shopping? We are here to provide a safe alternative. Social distancing is a challenge, but you’re not alone. Join us on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Eastern Time for a friendly group chat. We’ll get to know each other, share some good news stories, and discuss practical tips for staying healthy and connected. Call-in information will be given upon registration. 

You’re never too old to learn! Expand your horizons in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Each month we’ll explore a new topic: History, geography, science, travel, social trends, etc. April Curiosity Club: Professional audio describer J.J. Hunt just returned with his family, from a rambling, 8-month trip around Mexico and Asia. He’ll pick a few of his photos and outstanding visual memories, and describe them for us in his typical absorbing style. He’s a natural storyteller, so you won’t want to miss it. This group runs via Zoom web conference and teleconference on April 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Are you having challenges with using your technology or do you simply have questions about something new? Join us for a forum discussion by teleconference. Tech successes are welcome too! Many heads are better than one! The group meets via teleconference every Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

This group runs via Zoom web conference every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. Atlantic Time to chat about technology. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Understanding, support, mentorship and advice when you need it most. Peer support will be taking place via teleconference.

Call in to our virtual Tech It Out sessions to learn about new accessible technology and apps and how you can access them from home. On April 8, we will take a look at some of the free accessible games and apps available on ios and android devices, from dice world, audio game hub and more. The group will be meeting every Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. Atlantic Time.

Join fellow crafters for a craft session where you can share your skills and learn new ones alongside your peers. Registered participants will receive an email every Wednesday morning with instructions for their first Items for the challenge.

Continue your Wednesday guitar lessons online - with Joe Bernard! This group runs online via Zoom web conference every Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. Eastern Time Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Join other Ontario Youth for a monthly meetup via Teleconference. Learn, engage and share among peers across the province. Chat about a new topic and collaborate to develop new friendships, new skills and initiatives in your community. The group meets via teleconference the second Wednesday or Thursday of the month from 7-8 p.m. Eastern Time. Call in information will be given upon registration. 

Join us for this introductory session where we will explore the basics from turning on a device to identifying which accessibility features are best suited for you. After this session, you will be able to hold your device correctly and identify important access points, identify the main accessibility, explain how the build-in accessibility features make Android devices easier to use. This is a four-part series of group sessions that will help guide participants through the basics of using Android devices, as well as understanding and using the built-in accessibility features. It is recommended that participants take all sessions, but participants can choose the sessions best suited for their needs. Sessions run via Zoom web conference or teleconference every Wednesday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Eastern Time. Call in information will be given upon registration.

A support group for blind/partially sighted parents. From infancy to adulthood - blind mothers and fathers can learn, explore, and share their triumphs, challenges, tips and stories among peers in a supportive environment. Participate via teleconference on the second Wednesday of the month from 6-8 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration. 

An opportunity for people to connect and chat about their favourite books, authors and everything books!  This group meets via teleconference at 1:15 p.m. Central Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

This virtual group brings people with sight loss together to discuss any technical issue that affects their every-day lives and to share ideas and experiences that might be helpful to the group. You don't have to be "technical" in order to participate in group discussions. The tech talk group meets every Wednesday via teleconference from 1-3 p.m. Eastern Time. Call in information will be given upon registration.

Join us for one-on-one training sessions for a variety of popular, accessible technology options including smartphones, tablets, smart home devices and so much more. Ask questions and learn more about your technology in a dedicated time slot - just you and your instructor. Sessions run via Zoom web conference or teleconference every Wednesday, by appointment only. Call in information will be given upon registration.

Come to Work Boot Camp will help you explore what employers are looking for in an applicant for your new job. This group runs online via Zoom web conference every Wednesday beginning April 8 from 1-3 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration. 

We're taking our CNIB Empowerply podcast LIVE! We will bring in empowering and informative quests to share their stories of success. You will feel empowered to take on the next great challenge in your life and learn some secrets to making that happen. Join us on Facebook Live every Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST. 

This session will help you open yourself up to what you can offer to others and the world that you impact. Ideas on how to explore what you have and how to present it to others around you. You are your best advocate and worthy of promotion. This program runs via Zoom web conference and teleconference on April 9 from 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

The National Empowerment Workshop Series II will provide participants with an opportunity to immerse themselves in Virtual educational workshops focusing on empowering people to live the lives they choose. Weekly sessions are held Thursday's from April 9, - June 25. This virtual program runs via Zoom web conference or teleconference every Thursday, 12-1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Learn about the power behind getting the most appropriate reference for the job that you really want! This group runs via Zoom web conference on April 9 & 18 from 1-2 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Bingo is fun for all ages. It's a game of chance and there is no skill involved! An opportunity to play bingo in a virtual way! Join us for telephone bingo. As long as you have a bingo card or two at home to use, you will be ready to play. This group runs via teleconference every Thursday from 1:30-3 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Join us for some Zoom hangout sessions with other youth from across the country. This group runs online via Zoom web conference every Thursday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

LinkedIn is a social networking tool where you can display your resume, search for jobs, post about the work you're doing and interact with other people. Learn more about LinkedIn at this Come to Work power session. This group runs via Zoom web conference on April 9 from 1-2 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Join us for some Zoom hangout sessions with other youth from across the country. This group runs online via Zoom web conference every Thursday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Join us for fun, conversation and word games, all from home!  The group meets via Zoom conference on April 9, from 7-8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Call in information will be given upon registration. 

Come to Work Boot Camp will help you explore what employers are looking for in an applicant for your new job. This group runs online via Zoom web conference at 11 a.m. Mountain Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration. 

The CNIB Foundation will be offering virtual coffee meet-ups hosted by a counsellor, for a total of 4 weeks. This group runs via teleconference Every Friday from 10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. Eastern Time. Call in information will be given upon registration. Call in information will be given upon registration.

Our monthly tech talks introduce new, technology options like smartphone apps and the latest devices for people with varying degrees of sight loss. This group runs via Zoom web conference from 10-11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

This series of employment talks taking place over the phone and computer every Friday from 1-2 p.m. Atlantic Time. This group runs online via Zoom web conference. Call-in information will be given upon registration. 

Feeling like you can’t listen to one more audiobook or watch one more minute of news coverage? Join us for advocacy-themed trivia Friday afternoons. This program runs via Zoom web conference every Friday from 1-1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Let's boost participation in the world of work! This is a great opportunity for talent with sight loss to learn new skills that current employers are expecting in the new emerging workforce. This group runs via Zoom web conference and teleconference on the second and fourth Friday of each month from 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

If you are a student interested in connecting with others, exchanging ideas and discussing the challenges of attending post-secondary school with sight loss, join us for our monthly discussions from the comfort of your home or dorm room! This group runs online via Zoom web conference on the second Monday of every month from 6-8 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration. 

Whether we have a disability or not, in the workplace we are all looking to be valued, productive, contribute to society, and our work to be appreciated by our supervisors and co-workers. We all want to be a valued member of the team and we want to be honest. This raises questions about when to disclose and what to disclose about the nature of our disability and workplace accommodations. Not to mention there are varying thoughts and recommendations about how to disclose during the recruitment and hiring process. This group runs online via Zoom web conference on April 14 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration. 

CNIB is working with the Federal Government on a project engaging with Small Medium Business SMB) – those employing 500 or less employees. To that end, we have put out the call for applicants. This session will provide background information to interested individuals who are blind, partially sighed, or Deafblind. This group runs via Zoom web conference on April 14 from 1-2 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Bring an instrument, your voice, or just a love of music. Each monthly jam session is different. Whether you’re an experienced musician, or you just like to listen, join us and be nourished by music.  This group runs via Zoom web conference and teleconference on April 14 from 6-8 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Call in to our virtual Tech It Out sessions to learn about new accessible technology and apps and how you can access them from home. On April 15, we will take a look at some of the life-enhancing features products like Google Home, Alexa Echo, and Siri has to offer. From setting timers to obtaining the most up to date news and information and more. The group will be meeting every Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. Atlantic Time.

Public speaking whether in a group or an interview can be difficult even for seasoned professionals or actors. We have all felt butterflies in our stomachs at one point or another and the real trick is to get them to fly in formation. Through this introduction, we will look at some basic frameworks to assist in building the speech and also some tricks on how to overcome some common challenges.  This program runs via Zoom web conference and teleconference on April 16 from 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Ahh, spring is here! The days are getting warmer and the nights are getting shorter. Maybe you are feeling more inclined to get started on a new exercise regiment or to ditch the comfort foods of winter. But sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. Well, let technology help you with that! These days there are so many online resources that can help you manage and reach your health, nutrition and exercise goals. Now, you really don't have any excuse to not get started on your path to health! This group meets via Zoom web conference or teleconference. Call in information will be given upon registration.

Learn fashion coordination, makeup and styling needs. For youth who are transitioning into young adulthood.

This group meets via teleconference on April 22 from 6-7 p.m. Central Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Call in to our virtual Tech It Out sessions to learn about new accessible technology and apps and how you can access them from home. On April 22, we will look at a few of the GPS apps (Soundscape, Wewalk, Blindsquare) that can help those of us with sight loss navigate our communities more independently. The group will be meeting every Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. Atlantic Time.

Calling all aspiring artists and musicians! Pursuing Our Passions (POP) will host monthly guest speakers, creatives and professional artists from diverse streams in the art and entertainment industry to share their skills, knowledge and talent and help grow your artistic dreams into successful careers. This group runs via Zoom web conference from 6-8 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Working-age individuals get together and discuss topics that impact them and socialize with like-minded individuals living with sight loss. This group runs via teleconference on the last Saturday of every month from 1-3 p.m. Mountain Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

A support program for parents of children with sight loss, combined with interactive family recreational events. This group runs via Zoom web conference on the last Sunday of the month. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Parents and family members of children with vision loss may sometimes face challenges and barriers. The opportunity to connect with other families who have been through similar experiences can be a valuable form of support. This group meets via teleconference on the last Monday of the month from 7-8 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

You’re never too old to learn! Expand your horizons in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Each month we’ll explore a new topic: History, geography, science, travel, social trends, etc. April Curiosity Club: Join us for a presentation on data sonification of COVID-19 data from around the world. This means that data from graphs and charts will be presented using tones and other audio indicators, so it can be quickly grasped by those who can’t rely on vision to get a quick snapshot of what the data is saying. Please note that, like so much else, this one is uncertain at the moment, but either way we promise to offer something fun and engaging. This group runs via Zoom web conference and teleconference on April 28 from 6-7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

Call in to our virtual Tech It Out sessions to learn about new accessible technology and apps and how you can access them from home. On April 29, we will take a closer look at staying safe online, including protecting your personal information, to navigating the online world, and using smart devices like google and Alexa safely. The group will be meeting every Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. Atlantic Time.

Join other guide dog handlers to talk about social/advocacy issues. This group meets via teleconference on April 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration. Call in information will be given upon registration.

Meet new people. Learn something new! Mix and mingle. Each monthly meetup will have a different theme, topic or outing. The group meets on the first Saturday of the month.

Learn to play the guitar! Partially sighted guitar teacher, Joe Bernard, will lead you through the basics in a serene and respectful setting. This group runs online via Zoom web conference on the first Saturday of every month from 2-3 p.m. Eastern Time. Call-in information will be given upon registration.

You're not alone when struggling to navigate the ODSP system. Join experts and peers to discuss relevant topics and share resources, support, and wellness tools. This teleconference is intended for ODSP recipients, care givers, community supports providers or family members of an ODSP recipient.
Two ODSP and Community Liaisons will be in attendance to answer questions.

June 28-July 3, 2020: Test your mettle in the wild! Wilderness Immersion for Leadership Development (WILD) is an adventure program where you will work cooperatively with others on a multi-day canoe trip in Algonquin Park.

June 28-July 3, 2020: Choose your specialization for the week as you learn new skills while developing confidence and independence in a safe and supportive environment.

July 5-11, 2020: Escape and spend a week on the shores of beautiful Lake Joseph in Muskoka. Whether you are seeking adventure or relaxation, we have something for you.

July 12-18, 2020: Escape and spend a week on the shores of beautiful Lake Joseph in Muskoka. Whether you are seeking adventure or relaxation, we have something for you.

July 19-25, 2020: Our family program gives you and your family an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Muskoka together. Activities are available for all ages and there are also events just for adults, youth and kids.

July 26-31, 2020: Pushing Limits for Active Youth (PLAY) is for those who want to have fun experiencing different sports at CNIB Lake Joe.

July 26-31, 2020: Want to try a triathlon, or work on paddling skills? This goal-based program is aimed at athletic development. You will receive one-on-one coaching from experts and instructors who will help guide you to achieve your performance goals through specialized sports programs.

July 26-August 8, 2020: Gain job skills while having fun at our two-week program designed to develop leadership skills and empower youth to take an active role in camp life.

August 2-8, 2020: Our family program gives you and your family an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Muskoka together. Activities are available for all ages and there are also events just for adults, youth and kids.

Aug 10-14, 2020: Be the change! Connect with other youth with sight loss from across the country and join in on the conversation.

Pull on your leg warmers, let your mullet down and come party like it’s 1989 at this year’s annual CNIB Lake Joe fundraiser, taking place at CNIB Lake Joe on Saturday August 15th from 6:00 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Hosted by The CNIB Lake Joe Vision Team and fundraising committee, this year’s Back to the 80’s theme will be a throw-back, while looking forward to the future, to support bursaries and renovations that will enable CNIB to become a year round facility, as well as continue the development of innovative tools and programs for Canadians who are blind or partially sighted.

Guests are invited to channel their inner 80’s vibes and relive the decade of permed hair, shoulder pads and Sony walkmans, as they dance the night away to the ultimate 80’s playlist performed by Shawn Brady and the Northern Sons at their Neon Nostalgic Video Dance Party.

Tickets will go on sale Spring 2020.

New Date: August 18-22 (was June 15-19): Join like-minded young adults on the shores of beautiful Lake Joseph for a chance to relax, unwind and have fun! This five-day, four-night experience will include a combination of workshops, leisure activities and social events. Compete in an Amazing Race, participate in a murder mystery or book club, and enjoy classic summer camp activities in beautiful Muskoka.

New Date: August 18-22 (was June 15-19): Start your adventure high atop the canopy on a challenge course before you head into the wilderness for a multi-day canoe trip in Algonquin Park. Facilitated by skilled staff, you will paddle, portage, cook outdoors and camp while connecting with nature and other like-minded individuals.

August 18-22, 2020: Enjoy our four-night, five-day adult mini-camp to get a taste of the Lake Joe experience.

August 23-29, 2020: New this year, Family Week 3 will be devoted to families with children who are blind or partially sighted. In addition to the classic camp activities offered during other family weeks, this program will include workshops for parents. Go for a dip in the lake, take a tandem bike for a spin, go fishing, cruise the lake or relax by the campfire. There's something for everyone!

August 30-September 5, 2020: Escape and spend a week on the shores of beautiful Lake Joseph in Muskoka. Whether you are seeking adventure or relaxation, we have something for you.

October 2-4, 2020: In this program you and your child will be partnered with an angler to explore fishing opportunities in Muskoka! You will learn different techniques and strategies on the hunt for the big one while participating in fun challenges throughout the day. Fish on!

October 5-9, 2020: Enjoy our four-night, five-day adult mini-camp to get a taste of the Lake Joe experience.

Held annually, Connecting the Dots is Canada's largest educational and professional development experience focused on braille, technology and employment for people who are blind or partially sighted.