News

For pedestrians who are blind or partially sighted, sound is an essential component of safe and independent navigation. Environmental cues and audible signals, like the noise generated by a combustion engine, can help people with sight loss to orient themselves, identify potential hazards, understand the flow of traffic, and determine when it’s safe to cross a street.

TORONTO, May 25, 2023 – CNIB – Canada’s largest non-profit supporting people who are blind or partially sighted – is pleased to announce a new partnership that will give young people the tools and resources they need to succeed, both now and into the future.

In early 2022, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) received a $150,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that has helped it to reimagine its volunteer program in Ontario. This funding has been critical as CNIB rebuilds its in-person and volunteer-led programs and continues to offer virtual programs with volunteer support.

While the Minister of Health tabled the response to Petition e-4177 on April 19, CNIB finds it inadequate as it continues to place the responsibility on the manufacturer to ensure medical devices, such as insulin pumps, are accessible. Health regulators such as Health Canada have a role to play in guaranteeing that devices coming into the market are accessible, usable and safe. For far too long, regulators have also accepted warnings provided by manufacturers that insulin pumps are “not safe for use by people who are blind” which further perpetuates inequity in healthcare access. 

Join us for the CNIB Community Meeting in your province. This will be an opportunity for CNIB, CNIB Deafblind Community Services and Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada to provide you with organizational updates as we prepare for a post-pandemic world. As we take this time to connect to ensure we continue to provide innovative and inclusive programs and services for Canadians who are blind, partially sighted or Deafblind, we want to hear from you.

Hosted by The German Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted (DBSV) and VIEWS International, The International Low-Vision Song Contest (ILSC) is a music contest for blind and visually impaired musicians. The contest provides a global platform for musicians to share their art and talent, to inspire and entertain. Organizations representing their respective countries submit a song to compete in the contest, and the winner is determined through online voting.

CNIB’s submission, a song called Common Ground, was composed and performed by Jade Ondrik, Music Specialist at CNIB Lake Joe, and Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, CNIB Brand Ambassador. 

(CARLETON PLACE, ON – April 26, 2023) – After completing intensive training, it’s finally graduation day for the CNIB Guide Dogs class of 2023! Today, CNIB Guide Dogs is celebrating 15 new partnerships, including nine guide dog graduates, five buddy dog graduates, and one ambassador dog graduate. 

Get your sneakers ready! The fourth annual CNIB Guide Dogs Pup Crawl is coming back this year on April 17 and will run for six amazing weeks.

CNIB's Angela Bonfanti and Wayne Henshall recently sat down with Chris Barry, President of Microsoft Canada for an important conversation about removing societal barriers and building a better tomorrow through technology.

They spoke about the power of technology, the importance of advocating for accessible, usable and inclusive design, designing with and not for, and the collective responsibility we all have to continue to create a more inclusive world.

On September 21, 2022, CNIB facilitated another discussion with Canadian broadcasters regarding the delivery of described video services. Members of the sight loss community were invited to speak directly with four leading Canadian broadcasters; Bell Media, CBC, Corus Entertainment and Rogers Communications.