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.

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.

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.

Join CNIB Alberta’s Children and Youth & Come to Work departments for the new Youth Employment Empowerment Series! Learn about all aspects of employment over this 5-part interactive workshop series, like: self-advocacy, accommodations, the application process, resume building, and much more!

Run, walk or hike! Take on the "I Can...." run challenge in 2025! Led by Ryan Van Praet, an Ironman Triathlete and endurance athlete, and Jenn Flemke, Triathlon Ontario Coach of the Year in 2024, this program will be a virtual "learn-to-run" style program. Grab a pair of running shoes, convince a friend to join you or even learn to guide you! The I Can...Run 10-week challenge begins February 10 and ends April 19, 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.

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.

Join the Early Years Digital Literacy Project team and other industry partners for an exciting series of presentations. Topics will focus on supporting the learning and development of children who are blind or low vision, between the ages of 2-6 who are living in Canada. April Session: We'll welcome Eugene Chong, General Manager, CNIB Lake Joe for a combination info session and focus group. Learn about the programs that Lake Joe offers and help us learn what would be of interest to you as we look to expand our programming to offer an early years families only get-away weekend.

CNIB BC-Yukon is supporting the creation of a new parent/guardian advocacy group which aims to empower and connect families across the province and territory, working to accomplish advocacy-based goals, such as equitable education for students who are blind, Deafblind or have low vision. This program is inspired by feedback from parents, guardians, and students regarding their exhaustion from continually self-advocating within the school system. The BC-Yukon Family Advocacy Group meets on the third Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. PT on Zoom.

Join us on April 22 for a virtual information session where we’ll outline available scholarships, eligibility criteria, review the application process and deadlines, and answer any burning questions that you may have. 

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!