News
2021 Canadian Census
The next Census of Population will take place in May 2021. The 2021 Census questions are available in large-print, braille, audio and video formats. Learn more about alternate formats for the census questionnaire.
CNIB Foundation offers free educational manual – The ABC’s of iOS: a VoiceOver Manual for Toddlers and Beyond! – to help children with sight loss learn how to use technology during the COVID-19 pandemic
TORONTO – June 22, 2020 – As students and families adjust to remote learning during COVID-19, the CNIB Foundation has released a free version of its iOS training manual for children with sight loss. The ABC's of iOS: A VoiceOver Manual for Toddlers and Beyond! ensures educators and family members have the tools to teach a child who is blind or partially sighted how to use iOS with VoiceOver.
Second annual virtual 5-km "Pup Crawl" to raise funds for CNIB Guide Dogs
Carleton Place, April 28, 2021 – Today, in honour of International Guide Dog Day, the CNIB Foundation is launching the second annual CNIB Guide Dogs Pup Crawl, a virtual five-kilometre fundraiser in support of the charity's guide dog program.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada helps Canadians with sight loss face challenges of COVID-19 head on
CNIB would like to thank Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. for their longstanding support of people with sight loss across the country.
CNIB Response to Ontario Budget 2021
On March 24, 2021, the Ontario government released the 2021 Budget, "Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health and Our Economies".
During the government's pre-budget consultations, CNIB submitted a response that urged the Ontario government to take action to address the low employment rates for people who are blind or partially sighted, which has become significantly worse due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
We were pleased to see critical investments to support people with disabilities specifically. CNIB continues to work with the provincial government to find ways of enhancing and growing CNIB's Come to Work program with the ultimate goal of building the employment skills and employment opportunities for our Talent Pool.
During the government's pre-budget consultations, CNIB submitted a response that urged the Ontario government to take action to address the low employment rates for people who are blind or partially sighted, which has become significantly worse due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
We were pleased to see critical investments to support people with disabilities specifically. CNIB continues to work with the provincial government to find ways of enhancing and growing CNIB's Come to Work program with the ultimate goal of building the employment skills and employment opportunities for our Talent Pool.
CNIB urges provinces to ensure vaccination distribution strategies are accessible
As COVID-19 vaccination clinics roll out across the country, CNIB is publicly urging provincial governments and local public health units to ensure their vaccine distribution strategies are accessible to Canadians with sight loss.
Halton Healthcare Pilots Accessible Wayfinding Technology at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital
Oakville, ON – In partnership with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Halton Healthcare is piloting BlindSquare, an innovative wayfinding system for people with sight loss. This initiative, being launched at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH), will create a more accessible experience by ensuring individuals with sight loss have the opportunity to navigate the hospital safely and independently.
Ninety years later, voting is still not accessible in Canada
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms gives Canadian citizens the right to vote. But for many Canadians living with sight loss, voting isn’t as simple as walking into a voting booth and checking a name on the ballot. It’s an inaccessible process that involves little to no secrecy, and numerous barriers.
Georgian helps fill urgent need for guide dogs
The CNIB Foundation is honoured to announce that Georgian has responded to the urgent need for guide dogs in Canada caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by sponsoring a dog for its entire working life.
How has one of Canada's oldest charities become more relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic?
By John M. Rafferty
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many charities struggled, while others were forced to close their doors. So, how did CNIB – a 103-year-old charity – become more relevant to Canadians with sight loss?
It wasn't easy. There was no playbook. CNIB was venturing into unknown territory, but we kept focused on our mission and that guided our way. As an organization with a mandate to remove barriers for Canadians impacted by blindness, we knew the need for our programs would be at an all-time high during this unprecedented time of isolation.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many charities struggled, while others were forced to close their doors. So, how did CNIB – a 103-year-old charity – become more relevant to Canadians with sight loss?
It wasn't easy. There was no playbook. CNIB was venturing into unknown territory, but we kept focused on our mission and that guided our way. As an organization with a mandate to remove barriers for Canadians impacted by blindness, we knew the need for our programs would be at an all-time high during this unprecedented time of isolation.