Virtual Program Offerings & COVID-19 Resources

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CNIB Foundation – Virtual Program Offerings

Try something new with the CNIB Foundation! Whether it's career support, tech training, youth groups, cooking classes or book clubs – our virtual programs are guaranteed to keep you entertained and engaged. Programs are free and available to Canadians who are blind or partially sighted as well as their families, friends and caregivers.

A man is working on laptop computer with a refreshable braille display. He is wearing headphones.

CNIB Creative Writing Project

Have you been journaling your COVID-19 physical distancing experience? Expressing your anxiety or hopes about the pandemic through prose? If you are an aspiring writer, the CNIB Foundation has a new program for you!

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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.

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CNIB Facebook Live

Music brings people together, especially during difficult times. Every Thursday, the CNIB Foundation welcomes a musician with sight loss to the virtual stage on CNIB's Facebook page!

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.

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 Economic Recovery and Accessibility

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.

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Tips for protecting yourself and others from COVID-19

Tips for protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.

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External Resources

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

A message from CNIB’s Patron, Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada

Wherever you are and whatever you do, you are facing a historic and unprecedented challenge alongside people and organizations from around the world. I want to wholeheartedly thank the membership of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, who are assuming a leadership role in tackling this shared challenge.