Virtual Program Offerings & COVID-19 Resources

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CNIB's Virtual Program Offerings

Join us! Whether it’s children and youth groups, employment workshops, tech sessions or book clubs, our innovative programs are designed to educate, entertain and engage! Our free programs are available to Canadians who are blind or partially sighted as well as their families, friends and caregivers.

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CNIB Participant Agreement

CNIB strives to offer a safe, respectful, and open environment for all its participants, volunteers and employees.

COVID-19 Vaccine Disability Dashboard

The COVID-19 Vaccine disability dashboard is a resource that contains the amalgamated information for COVID-19 Vaccine eligibility across Canada.

A person receiving a vaccine. A sleeveless arm is injected with a needle.

CNIB urges provinces to ensure vaccination distribution strategies are accessible

As COVID-19 vaccination clinics roll out across the country, CNIB is publicly urging provincial governments and local public health units to ensure their vaccine distribution strategies are accessible to Canadians with sight loss.

A black and white illustration of two people walking. One person has a white cane, the other is providing sighted guide. Beside them is an illustration of a horizontal arrow. Above the arrow is the text: 2 metres. Below the arrow is the text: 6 feet. Next to the arrow is a black and white illustration of a woman pushing a shopping cart. She is entering a yellow and black illustration of a storefront.

COVID-19 Accessibility Recommendations

People living with sight loss often experience barriers that prevent them from participating fully in society. As restaurants, retail stores and municipalities begin to reopen and introduce new operating conditions and procedures to stop the spread of COVID-19, the CNIB Foundation is providing recommendations to help remove barriers and ensure that indoor and outdoor spaces are accessible for all.

Behind the Mask: CNIB Creative Writing Project

How do you document a year in lockdown? When COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were imposed in Canada, we asked CNIB program participants to share their 'behind the mask' stories. Hear their creative reflections.

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External Resources

Here you'll find some external COVID-19 resources.

An example of the sighted guide technique. Two woman walk down a sidewalk together. A woman holds the guide's arm lightly above the elbow and allows the guide to walk one-half step ahead.

Physical distancing

Physical distancing is impractical for many Canadians with sight loss.

An elderly woman holds a landline telephone to her ear.

Virtual Vision Mate Program

To combat the negative ramifications that isolation can have on Canadians with sight loss, the CNIB Foundation has adapted one of its core program offerings, the Vision Mate program, to engage volunteers to connect virtually with participants by phone or online, at least once a week.

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Interviews and stories

Learn more about CNIB Foundation programs and resources in these interviews with program participants, CNIB staff and CNIB Brand Ambassador, Ben Mulroney.