Technology Programs

Tech Connect is an interactive, engaging and educational program where participants discuss different technologies/apps that can help make life a bit easier! Participants will learn about technologies other participants use and you are then able to ask questions to get help with your own technology/apps. Second Tuesday of every month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom. 

We will showcase CNIB SmartLife Products and explain the benefits. If you have any questions about assistive technology devices, we are here to provide you technical solutions. Questions are always welcome! Second Thursday of every month from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time at the CNIB London Hub.

Come join us, your hosts Kevin, Brian and Pierre, as we resume the widely popular – Tech Talk Tuesday. In these hour-long, weekly Zoom sessions we will discuss accessible technology as well as its practical application in everyday life. You don’t need to know a lot about technology: you can just listen if you like. The group consists of beginners as well as advanced users of accessible technology. All questions and ideas are welcomed. Every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. Atlantic Time on Zoom. 

Are you having challenges with using your technology or do you simply have questions about something new? Join this discussion group with others with sight loss where we share ideas and experiences that might be helpful. Many heads are better than one! First and third Tuesday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Are you new to assistive technology? Want to get more out of your smart device or computer? This Zoom workshop is a 2 for 1! The first hour is devoted to structured learning – focusing on basics and beginner topics. Later on, we'll have a volunteer-led, tech-focused Q&A discussion group dealing with a wide range of questions. Come prepared to swap tips and tricks, share about your favorite apps, help one another and strengthen your own skills in the process. Join us while we figure it out – together! This technology group is hosted on Zoom on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. Pacific Time.

Hosted by Steve MacInnes, Tech It Out is a monthly series that demos accessible and mainstream tech. Third Tuesday of every month from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Atlantic Time on Zoom. 

If you need some tips on using your iPhone or iPad, CNIB Thunder Bay hosts a monthly drop-in session where a team of volunteer tech coaches are available to help you learn about your iOS accessible features. Fourth Thursday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. at CNIB Thunder Bay.

A monthly technology group on assistive devices for Ottawa-area participants. First Friday every month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the CNIB Ottawa Hub.

Want to get the most out of your android device? Smart devices utilizing the android operating system are becoming more and more accessible, with supports such as screen enhancements, magnification and screen reading to name a few! CNIB SmartLife is hosting a series where we show you what you can do with your device and customize it for your unique needs. We’ll explain what the different parts of smartphone or tablet do, introduce you to the interface, showcase accessibility features to empower you, and teach you about Google assistant, your voice-controlled helper! Each week, we’ll take on a different topic.

Accessible products are available to test and purchase by debit or credit (no cash). Thursday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brantford Public Library.

Mastery of the computer keyboard is essential for anyone using a computer, especially for someone using a screen reader. With this in mind, we are now offering weekly keyboarding coaching sessions at the CNIB Community Hub on Thursday's.

Like it or not, technology is becoming a big part of modern life. Nowadays, people rely on computers and smartphones for work, school, entertainment and connection. For people with vision loss, assistive technology offers all of this as well as increased confidence and independence. Join us over Zoom for Intro to Assistive Technology - find out what is possible and how we at CNIB can help you harness the power of assistive technology. This group meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

It’s almost December – time to figure out what to ask Santa for! Let us help get your list started with our special session. We’re showcasing some of our favourite accessible home appliances large and small. Join us to learn about washers and dryers with tactile controls, ovens you can control from your phone, and a lot more! Thursday, November 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

It’s almost December – time to figure out what to ask Santa for! Let us help get your list started with our special session. We’re showcasing some of our favourite accessible home appliances large and small. Join us to learn about washers and dryers with tactile controls, ovens you can control from your phone, and a lot more! Thursday, November 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Join us for CNIB Smartlife's first ever in person blowout sale event! Save big on all last chance final sale products such as watches, sunglasses, high tech products and more. Join us at The Nanji Family Foundation CNIB SmartLife Centre (CNIB Bayview) on November 26 & 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Back by popular demand: our annual spotlight on shopping! Get ready for Black Friday and the pre-holiday season with our favourite tips and tricks on navigating online stores. We’re having a look at navigating sites like Amazon with a screen reader, talking about our favourite shopping app, and showcasing a new accessible search engine just for products and deals! Join us and get ready to skip the crowds this winter! Wednesday, November 27 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Back by popular demand: our annual spotlight on shopping! Get ready for Black Friday and the pre-holiday season with our favourite tips and tricks on navigating online stores. We’re having a look at navigating sites like Amazon with a screen reader, talking about our favourite shopping app, and showcasing a new accessible search engine just for products and deals! Join us and get ready to skip the crowds this winter! Wednesday, November 27 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

The Digital Treasure Chest is a new virtual program that will explore, examine, and highlight some of the best accessible technologies for people living with sight loss across Canada. Join us on December 4 as we talk about ScripTalk, a free-to-consumer solution where your pharmacist puts a machine-readable sticker on your prescription. All you have to do is scan the bottle with your phone and you’ll hear everything on the label. Wednesday, December 4 from 1 to 2 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

The Digital Treasure Chest is a new virtual program that will explore, examine, and highlight some of the best accessible technologies for people living with sight loss across Canada. Join us on December 4 as we talk about ScripTalk, a free-to-consumer solution where your pharmacist puts a machine-readable sticker on your prescription. All you have to do is scan the bottle with your phone and you’ll hear everything on the label. Wednesday, December 4 from 1 to 2 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

In Exploring the Universe with Accessible Tech, we’re showcasing an amazing app called SkyView that reveals the heavens. It shows you what stars, planets, and satellites are overhead and lets you learn all about them. The best thing about SkyView is that it’s totally accessible – it plays really well with VoiceOver so everyone can see the stars. We love SkyView, and odds are you will too! hursday, December 12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the CNIB GTA Community Hub (1525 Yonge Street, Toronto)

In Exploring the Universe with Accessible Tech, we’re showcasing an amazing app called SkyView that reveals the heavens. It shows you what stars, planets, and satellites are overhead and lets you learn all about them. The best thing about SkyView is that it’s totally accessible – it plays really well with VoiceOver so everyone can see the stars. We love SkyView, and odds are you will too! Thursday, December 12 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Zoom.

The Digital Treasure Chest is a year old! In our first installment back in the far-off age of 2023, we counted down our top 10 favourite smartphone apps, but a lot can change in a year. Do we have some new picks? Have any old friends learned new tricks? Join us and find out! Wednesday, December 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

The Digital Treasure Chest is a year old! In our first installment back in the far-off age of 2023, we counted down our top 10 favourite smartphone apps, but a lot can change in a year. Do we have some new picks? Have any old friends learned new tricks? Join us and find out! Wednesday, December 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

At the CNIB Repair Café, the skilled fixers will be on hand to repair a variety of items, with a special focus on The primary focus on repairing accessibility devices such as Perkins braillers, white canes, electronic magnifiers, talking and braille watches, and sewing-related repairs. Saturday, January 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CNIB GTA Community Hub. 

At the CNIB Repair Café, the skilled fixers will be on hand to repair a variety of items, with a special focus on The primary focus on repairing accessibility devices such as Perkins braillers, white canes, electronic magnifiers, talking and braille watches, and sewing-related repairs. Saturday, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CNIB GTA Community Hub.