Children and Youth Programs

Join this monthly professional development and awareness session and learn about other part-time, full-time, or freelance artists and performers who experience low vision and blindness. Sessions will rotate guest speakers in the areas of music, performing arts and theatre or visual/tactile arts. Attendees will meet on the first Tuesday of each month (excluding June/July/August) from 7:30 p.m.  to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Put down the textbooks and join CNIB this summer for this unique all-expenses-paid opportunity! This transformational experience will provide you with an edge in your academic and job-seeking goals. Discover and explore your potential through educational and empowering activities while connecting with like-minded peers. SCORE Scholars programming helps participants build essential leadership, independence, pre-employment, and social skills. We’ll explore the city of Toronto by visiting restaurants and local attractions.Accommodations and programming will take place at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus from July 19 – August 2, 2025. Application deadline is April 14, 2025.

Ready to practice your wit? Join fellow theatre enthusiasts and find your fit at Youth Improv Club. Practice improvising in a monthly online group, where we will use prompts and play games together. Develop your skills of saying "Yes, and..." in order to work through scenes. Bring your creativity, ideas, and readiness to try new things. This virtual group will provide a platform to pitch a new bit, connect with others, and elevate your confidence in improv. The Youth Improv Club meets on the third Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Calling all aspiring young writers! The 2025 Braille Creative Writing Contest is now accepting entries. 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. 

Whether you believe you can, or you believe you can’t, you are right! Join the club that believes the word “Can’t" is not allowed! The I Can Club is focused on building the attitudes and skills that lead us to think about all that is possible. Are you a child or youth (age 29 and under) who is interested in exploring the world around you and finding ways to look at all the things that are possible, instead of only the obstacle in front of you?  In the I Can Club, you'll meet a group of individuals who challenge the word "Can't" with a “Yes, I can do that,“ or “How can I do that?" attitude. 

Music Therapist Erin Koop hosts weekly sessions on Zoom for children and youth participants across the country. These interactive sessions are filled with songs, stories, and more!  Get ready to make some music!  This group runs on Zoom, every Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Pacific Time. 

Children of all ages across the country are welcome to participate in our live reading series Read Aloud to Me. Join us every Wednesday as experienced volunteers give life to picture books, chapter books and short stories. While stories chosen are geared to participants between the ages of 7 to 12, anyone who would enjoy listening is welcome. Every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

The Zoom Room for Kids is turning into a Fairy Tale Factory! Join Teaching Artist and Oboist, Joey Salvalaggio on an exploration of the world tradition of fairy tales and nursery rhymes and how they are represented in music. From the familiar to the obscure, from Jack in the Beanstalk to Baba Yaga, these sessions take you on a journey around the world, exploring different cultures and music. But a visit from Mr. Joey wouldn't be complete without creating our own brand new fairy tale classic that will endure for years to come. Every Wednesday from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom. 

Youth ages 10 to 16 who enjoy reading from the wealth of fantasy authors, past and present who have entertained us with tales of wizards, warriors, magic, and mystery are encouraged to join this monthly group. We will discuss some familiar books and authors and hopefully learn about many new ones. First Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Music Therapist Erin Koop hosts weekly sessions on Zoom for children and youth participants across the country. These interactive sessions are filled with songs, stories, and more!  Get ready to make some music!  This group runs on Zoom, every Monday from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

AI Unleashed: 2025 Innovate, Inspire, Impact! CNIB is excited to present a national online program for youth, showcasing how artificial intelligence (AI) can empower everyone! From enhancing education and entertainment to improving security, AI's potential is limitless. Topics for each workshop will be provided prior to each session and shared with registered participants. Tuesday, April 29, August 26 and November 25 from 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

Sudbury and surrounding area children, youth and their families are invited to join us at the CNIB Community Hub for a day of fun and connection! Saturday, May 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the CNIB Sudbury Hub (1545 Regent Street, Suite 104, Sudbury).  

AI Unleashed: 2025 Innovate, Inspire, Impact! CNIB is excited to present a national online program for youth, showcasing how artificial intelligence (AI) can empower everyone! From enhancing education and entertainment to improving security, AI's potential is limitless. Topics for each workshop will be provided prior to each session and shared with registered participants. Tuesday, August 26 and November 25 from 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

AI Unleashed: 2025 Innovate, Inspire, Impact! CNIB is excited to present a national online program for youth, showcasing how artificial intelligence (AI) can empower everyone! From enhancing education and entertainment to improving security, AI's potential is limitless. Topics for each workshop will be provided prior to each session and shared with registered participants. Tuesday, November 25 from 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

Join CNIB for accessible Easter egg hunts in Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, and Saskatoon. In this adapted version of a fun Easter tradition, children and youth who are blind or have low vision (and their families) search for large hidden eggs that emit audible beeping sounds. 

Canadian youth with sight loss are invited to join CNIB Learning Academy for engaging virtual and in-person programs offered throughout the year! Our programs challenge youth from grades six to first year of post-secondary studies to develop pre-employment, leadership, independence and social skills. 

This free manual provides parents and educators with the age-appropriate information they need to teach a child how to interact with an iPad using VoiceOver. To put the latest knowledge at children's fingertips, it incorporates accessible apps with educational content.

CNIB is currently seeking children (ages 2-6) who are blind or low vision to participate in an exciting new research project focused on building digital literacy skills and technology competencies. As a part of the project, participants will receive an iPad at no cost, which they can keep once the project concludes. Learn more about the project and how to get involved!

OPVIC (formally VIEWS) is a volunteer organization of parents of visually impaired children/youth focused on empowering families and advocating for our kids in Ontario. OPVIC is a friendly and supportive organization of parents, family members and guardians of children with any amount of vision loss.