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.

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.

Exciting news – every Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. this January, we’re running a special tech hotline to offer expert help for all your tech issues! When we say all, we mean it: we’ll offer assistance for whatever you have, whether it’s that braille display you bought from SmartLife or the phone you got at the mall. If we can’t figure things out, we’ll put you in touch with someone who can.

The iPhone and iPad have a great screen reader built in: VoiceOver. It can read you everything on your phone and let you control your device without needing to find a specific spot on the screen. VoiceOver can be intimidating for new users, which is why we’re running this special session to teach the basics of Apple’s screen reader. Wednesday, January 8 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

The iPhone and iPad have a great screen reader built in: VoiceOver. It can read you everything on your phone and let you control your device without needing to find a specific spot on the screen. VoiceOver can be intimidating for new users, which is why we’re running this special session to teach the basics of Apple’s screen reader. Wednesday, January 8 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

In the first Digital Treasure Chest of 2025, we’re taking a look at the state of described video on streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video. Join us to learn how described video works, how to turn it on, and to discover some of our favourite movies and TV shows! Wednesday, January 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

In the first Digital Treasure Chest of 2025, we’re taking a look at the state of described video on streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video. Join us to learn how described video works, how to turn it on, and to discover some of our favourite movies and TV shows! Wednesday, January 15 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. 

Bad news for PC users: Windows 10 is being discontinued this October. Good news: Windows 11 is here, and is guaranteed to keep getting updates and security fixes for years to come! If you’re still on Windows 10, you probably have a lot of questions about its successor, and we have the answers! We’ll talk about how to get Windows 11 and do a deep dive into what’s new and different, and show off the latest accessibility features from Microsoft. Be sure to join us and make your transition to the latest Windows smooth! Tuesday, January 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern.

In 2024, Apple released the latest version of the program that runs the iPhone: iOS 18. iOS 18 makes a lot of changes to the iPhone and adds many new features that will interest users who are Deafblind. CNIB SmartLife is holding a special session to discuss iOS 18 where we'll talk about improvements to the VoiceOver screen reader, braille screen input, braille display support, and the Siri voice assistant. Wednesday, January 22 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Bad news for PC users: Windows 10 is being discontinued this October. Good news: Windows 11 is here, and is guaranteed to keep getting updates and security fixes for years to come! If you’re still on Windows 10, you probably have a lot of questions about its successor, and we have the answers! We’ll talk about how to get Windows 11 and do a deep dive into what’s new and different, and show off the latest accessibility features from Microsoft. Be sure to join us and make your transition to the latest Windows smooth! Thursday, January 23 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Bad news for PC users: Windows 10 is being discontinued this October. Good news: Windows 11 is here, and is guaranteed to keep getting updates and security fixes for years to come! If you’re still on Windows 10, you probably have a lot of questions about its successor, and we have the answers! We’ll talk about how to get Windows 11 and do a deep dive into what’s new and different, and show off the latest accessibility features from Microsoft. Be sure to join us and make your transition to the latest Windows smooth! Thursday, January 23 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

iPhone users: do you know all the VoiceOver gestures by heart? Can you use the rotor to navigate and change settings? If so, you’ll love this session! The default VoiceOver settings are excellent, but they just scratch the surface of what your screen reader can do. You can adjust the voices, customize how talkative VoiceOver is, add extra commands to the rotor, and even create custom gestures. Wednesday, January 29 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom

iPhone users: do you know all the VoiceOver gestures by heart? Can you use the rotor to navigate and change settings? If so, you’ll love this session! The default VoiceOver settings are excellent, but they just scratch the surface of what your screen reader can do. You can adjust the voices, customize how talkative VoiceOver is, add extra commands to the rotor, and even create custom gestures. Wednesday, January 29 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 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, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CNIB GTA Community Hub.