Have questions? We’re here to answer them! Browse our FAQ.
General CNIB Connects member questions
What is CNIB Connects?
How does the program work?
Why is CNIB offering this program?
Who can sign up?
Why should I sign up?
How do I sign up?
What if I don't have an email address?
Will you share any of my personal information with partners?
Why are you asking me for my gender and age?
Will I get a CNIB Connects card?
What if I lose my membership number?
Where can I find a complete list of partners?
I already have a CNIB card or Access 2 entertainment card. How is this different?
I changed my email address or contact info. How do I tell you?
Questions about the White Cane Access Program
What is the White Cane Access Program?
Who can apply for a free white cane?
How do I apply for a free white cane?
How does the program work?
Do I need to complete a vision assessment or orientation and mobility training before I receive my new cane?
If I want to try a different cane, do I need a new assessment to do so?
Can a relative/family member/friend apply on behalf of someone who is blind or has sight loss? If so, what do they need to present?
Should I still apply for provincial funding if it’s available in my province?
Can someone who has already used a funding resource apply for a free white cane?
What happens if I require another free white cane? (For example, if I lose my cane, it breaks, or I simply require a replacement.)
How long will it take to get my free white cane?
What kinds of canes are available in this program?
Can I choose the style or specifications of the white cane, such as length, cane tip, or handle type?
What is CNIB Connects?
CNIB Connects is an innovative membership program for Canadians who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. This exclusive initiative offers enrolled members a range of benefits, including discounts on products and services, access to exclusive content and experiences, and access to CNIB’s White Cane Access Program. CNIB Connects also provides increased engagement from leading Canadian businesses dedicated to enhancing accessibility for a superior customer experience. Best of all, it's free to enroll in!
How does the program work?
Enrolled members enjoy a range of benefits, including discounts on products and services, access to exclusive content and experiences, and one free white cane and tip per calendar year through CNIB’s White Cane Access Program. To take advantage of offers from our CNIB Connects partners, simply use your unique promotional code at checkout or provide your CNIB Connects membership ID number to partner vendors to complete transactions.
Why is CNIB offering this program?
Bridging the accessibility gap with Canadian businesses and ensuring equal access to information, products, and services is a key part of the CNIB Connects program mandate. While we can't make every business in Canada fully accessible overnight, every CNIB Connects partner has made a commitment to improving accessibility of their offerings to enhance the customer experience.
Through the CNIB Connects program, we hope to create a more accessible Canada by partnering with companies that are committed to improving the accessibility of their offerings – and providing our members with an opportunity to support businesses that have made that commitment.
Who can sign up?
CNIB Connects is open to anyone in Canada who is blind, partially sighted or Deafblind. Children under 18 are welcome to join the program, but a parent or legal guardian must sign up for them in their name. Information about the program, including exclusive deals and discounts, will be emailed to the parent or legal guardian, not the child.
Why should I sign up?
Becoming a CNIB Connects member gives you access to a range of benefits, including discounts on products and services, access to exclusive content and experiences, and one free white cane and tip per calendar year through the White Cane Access Program.
CNIB Connects members will also have an opportunity to share feedback about their accessible and inaccessible customer experiences. This could be feedback about overall content accessibility, website accessibility, or accessibility of goods and services, including documents, services, and facilities.
Sharing your experience will help our partners identify and remove barriers and respond to concerns to improve the accessibility of their products and services to help serve you better. CNIB will regularly share collected feedback with CNIB Connects partners to enhance the customer experience and show them how well they are meeting their customers' needs.
How do I sign up?
Signing up is easy! It’s free to enroll in and all you need is an email address. You can sign up yourself through our online CNIB Connects sign-up form or by calling our contact centre at 1-800-563-2642.
Once you've filled out the registration form and validated your email address, you'll receive a welcome email with your unique membership ID number and discount codes from some of our partners.
What if I don't have an email address?
CNIB Connects is a digital-first program and as such, members must have an email address to register for the program. This also allows us to directly connect with you about your membership and periodically share details about new partner deals and discount codes that are now available to you.
Will you share any of my personal information with partners?
No. CNIB will not share your contact information or any of your personal information beyond your name with any of our CNIB Connects partners. All your information remains subject to our Privacy Policy.
When you contact partners to take advantage of their exclusive deals and discounts, they may ask you for your full name and CNIB Connects membership ID number.
Note: Once you engage with a CNIB Connects partner and become one of their customers, you may become subject to their privacy policy.
Why are you asking me for my gender and age?
Demographic data like gender and age is used to tailor the program for you. We won't share your information with partners, and it remains subject to our Privacy Policy.
Will I get a CNIB Connects card?
No. As this is a digital-first program, we are not providing physical copies of the CNIB Connects membership cards. You'll be sent an email with your membership ID number.
The CNIB Connects program is separate from the CNIB card. How do they differ? The CNIB card is only available to Canadians who meet the requirements for legal blindness. It can be used as proof of disability for some government programs and tax benefits. It may also entitle you to some concessions from governments and community partners.
CNIB Connects, on the other hand, is a new digital membership program that gives people with sight loss exclusive discounts on everything from furniture to appliances to technology from our retail partners. It’s free to enroll in and you don’t need a referral of any kind.
What if I lose my membership number?
If you lose your number, please contact us and we'll be happy to send you an email with your number.
Where can I find a complete list of partners?
CNIB Connects members have access to a wide range of benefits, including discounts on products and services, and access to exclusive content and experiences from participating CNIB Connects partners. Enrolled members will periodically receive email communications from CNIB Connects about new partner deals, promotions, and discount codes available exclusively to our subscribers.
More offers will be added all the time! We're regularly recruiting new partners to join the CNIB Connects program and will have new partnership announcements to share very soon.
Select this link to access a full list of CNIB Connects partners. New partners are being added often, so check back regularly.
I already have a CNIB card or Access 2 entertainment card. How is this different?
CNIB Connects was developed for Canadians who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision to connect people with exclusive deals and discounts on products and services from leading Canadian businesses who are committed to improving the accessibility of their offerings to enhance the customer experience. It's free to enroll in and you don’t need a referral of any kind.
The CNIB card is only available to Canadians who meet the requirements for legal blindness. CNIB cardholders must provide documentation (such as an eye report from a doctor) to qualify. While the CNIB card may give cardholders access to certain concessions, it generally does not include access to exclusive deals and discounts. These promotional offers are only available through the CNIB Connects program.
The Access 2 Card is for people of all ages and with permanent disabilities who require the assistance of a support person at participating entertainment, cultural, and recreational venues across Canada. This must be verified by a registered health care professional or a recognized service provider. The Access 2 Card program is administered by Easter Seals Canada with a fee for the Access 2 Card.
I changed my email address or contact info. How do I tell you?
That's easy! Just give us a call at 1-800-563-2642 or email CNIBConnectsProgram@cnib.ca.
Questions about CNIB's White Cane Access Program
What is the White Cane Access Program?
CNIB’s White Cane Access Program provides CNIB Connects members with access to one free white cane and tip per calendar year. This program is designed to address transportation barriers and provide white canes to individuals who would benefit from them. White canes are essential mobility tools that can enable confidence, independence, and autonomy in the lives of people with sight loss.
Who can apply for a free white cane?
Currently, the White Cane Access Program is undergoing a pilot phase, gradually expanding across Canada. As of right now, this initiative is exclusively available to CNIB Connects members residing in British Columbia. Stay tuned for updates as we extend the program to other provinces.
How do I apply for a free white cane?
CNIB Connects members can apply for a free white cane by contacting CNIB toll-free at 1-800-563-2642 or visiting their nearest CNIB SmartLife Centre. Make sure to have your CNIB Connects membership ID ready when requesting your cane.
How does the program work?
As a CNIB Connects member, you can apply for one free white cane per calendar year. For individuals in provinces with existing funding programs, the initiative will offset any out-of-pocket costs. In provinces without funding programs, CNIB will cover the full cost of the white cane.
Do I need to complete a vision assessment or orientation and mobility training before I receive my new cane?
While not mandatory, we highly recommend completing a vision assessment and orientation and mobility training to enhance your cane usage skills. Our partners at Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada offer comprehensive rehabilitation services and can assist you in selecting the best cane for your needs. Visit visionlossrehab.ca or call 1-844-887-8572 for more information.
If I want to try a different cane, do I need a new assessment to do so?
While not mandatory, members are strongly encouraged to obtain an assessment from an authorized medical institution in their province. If a device return is requested, it should adhere to CNIB SmartLife’s return policy.
Can a relative/family member/friend apply on behalf of someone who is blind or has sight loss? If so, what do they need to present?
Yes, a relative/family member/friend can apply on behalf of someone who is blind or has sight loss, provided the individual is a registered CNIB Connects member. If the individual is under 18, only the parent or legal guardian may apply.
Should I still apply for provincial funding if it’s available in my province?
Yes, CNIB Connects members who wish to take advantage of the White Cane Access Program should still apply for any and all provincial funding that is available to them. CNIB will cover any costs that are not covered under the provincial funding.
If you live in a province where there is no funding available, CNIB will cover the full cost of the cane.
Learn more about available funding.
Can someone who has already used a funding resource apply for a free white cane?
Yes, members who have utilized provincial funding remain eligible to apply for a free white cane, with CNIB covering the total cost of the device.
What happens if I require another free white cane? (For example, if I lose my cane, it breaks, or I simply require a replacement.)
Members are eligible for a replacement white cane after a waiting period of 12 months. Exchanges or returns can be facilitated according to CNIB SmartLife’s return policy.
How long will it take to get my free white cane?
Members who live in the vicinity of one of our in CNIB SmartLife Centre locations may receive their cane immediately if available in-store, as they can choose to pick the cane up from the CNIB SmartLife Centre. For orders requiring shipment from our national warehouse, delivery typically occurs within 7-10 business days after enrollment in the program and purchase confirmation.
What kinds of canes are available in this program?
Members can choose from a selection of canes, including Standard Ambutech ID and Mobility Canes available at CNIB SmartLife. For a detailed list of covered devices, please contact CNIB or visit a CNIB SmartLife Centre. Please note that customized cane orders are not applicable for the Free White Cane Program
Can I choose the style or specifications of the white cane, such as length, cane tip, or handle type?
Yes, members can provide their cane specifications for length, handle, and cane tip if they are aware of them. However, if they are unsure or would like guidance, we encourage them to complete an assessment with Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada to ensure they receive the most suitable cane for their needs.
Still can’t find the answer to your question?
Email us at CNIBConnectsProgram@cnib.ca and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.