Technology Programs

Join hosts Kevin and Brian for 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. 

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.

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.

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

With Valentine’s Day and Family Day approaching, now is the perfect time to connect with loved ones using WhatsApp! Whether through text messages, audio calls, or video chats, you can stay in touch with family, friends, or that special someone for free with just a mobile phone number. Explore the hands-free convenience of Meta Ray-Bans and the ease of the desktop version to make connecting even more seamless. Wednesday, February 5 from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom. 

Do you want to make the most of your Android smartphone or tablet? Android devices are easier to use than ever, with features like screen magnification, screen readers, and other tools to assist you. Join CNIB SmartLife for a series of sessions where we’ll show you how to use your device and make it work for your needs. You’ll learn about the basic parts of your smartphone or tablet, how to navigate the interface, and how to use accessibility tools to make your experience better. We’ll also introduce you to Google Assistant and Google Gemini, your voice-activated and AI-powered helpers. The February Android Accessibility Series meets every Thursday in February from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Zoom.

We’re running a special 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 hotline is first-come, first-serve, and we’ll keep each conversation private. The Tech Hotline is available every Friday in February from 1 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Facebook Messenger is an excellent way to connect with people, whether they are coworkers, alumni, or family living on the other side of the world. By simply adding their Facebook profile, there is no need for a phone number, offering a secure and private way to stay in touch through the Facebook Messenger app. You can chat with Meta AI to craft a poem, send a mini animated card using the new Imagine AI tool, and enjoy audio or video calling with the convenience of Meta Ray-Bans. Wednesday, February 19 from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom. 

WhatsApp is one of the world’s most popular ways to communicate. You can use it for text messages, audio calls, and video chats. It’s completely free, and all you need is a smartphone, a mobile phone number, and Internet access. WhatsApp is very accessible, so in this session we’ll be discussing how to use the app if you’re Deafblind. Wednesday, February 26 from 1 to 2 p.m. on Zoom.

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. Tech Connect meets quarterly on the second Tuesday of every month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom.