CNIB

Budget 2025 highlights opportunity to unlock Canada’s untapped talent. CNIB, the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB), and the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) welcome the federal government’s focus on upskilling, training and workforce development. This focus represents a critical opportunity to ensure that people with disabilities are included as full partners in shaping Canada’s economic future. “Canadians with disabilities are ready to work, and inclusive employment delivers measurable returns for individuals, communities and the economy,” says Angela Bonfanti, CNIB President and CEO. “When we invest in accessibility, training and innovation, we’re not only empowering people, we’re strengthening Canada’s competitiveness.” Together, we’re calling on the Government of Canada to ensure the 27 per cent of Canadians with a disability are reflected in the country’s economic vision and fully included in the opportunities that Budget 2025 sets in motion. Read the full statement: https://lnkd.in/eZdcBaVB

The conversation hasn’t ended with Connecting the Dots 2025 — we’re still talking, learning, sharing and planning for the barrier-free future to come, thanks to all of our amazing speakers and guests. One of the most buzzworthy moments of the day was the keynote presentation, delivered by Dr. @JR Rizzo. You can learn more about his research at rizzolabs.org! And again, our most special thank you goes to the sponsors who made this day possible; Scotiabank, Uber, Moneris, Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Mastercard, Microsoft, Sobeys, and of course our venue host, KPMG Canada. Your commitment to making workplaces accessible is setting the standard, and we cannot express our gratitude enough. Until next year! Image description: Various photos of sessions, speakers, and vendors at the Connecting the Dots Conference.

"Employers quickly realize this isn’t about charity. It’s about accessing a talented, motivated workforce that’s been overlooked for far too long.” On The Evan Bray Show, CNIB President & CEO Angela Bonfanti sat down with Evan Bray, O.O.M. to talk about what true inclusion looks like, and how employers across Canada can be part of the change. Drawing from her own lived experience, growing up with a father who was blind and faced repeated barriers to full-time employment, Angela shared why Disability Employment Awareness Month is deeply personal, and why programs like CNIB’s Come to Work are so vital. Listen now: https://iono.fm/e/1613605 Through Come to Work, CNIB connects job seekers who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision with inclusive employers ready to access an incredible, often-overlooked talent pool. From training and recruitment to accessibility support, we help both candidates and employers succeed, because when workplaces are inclusive, everyone wins. Ready to be part of the change? Learn how your organization can join the Come to Work network. Visit cometowork.ca

Last week in Regina, we celebrated one of the greatest strengths of CNIB: our volunteers. Each year, the Arthur Napier Magill Distinguished Service Award honours a volunteer whose dedication has made a lasting difference for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. This year’s recipient, Dr. Renatta Varma, has done exactly that. As a respected ophthalmologist, community leader, and long-time CNIB volunteer, Dr. Varma has helped raise more than $550,000 to fund future guide dogs, founded the Guide Dogs with Purpose Gala, and championed inclusion across Saskatchewan. Her leadership and compassion remind us that CNIB’s mission has always been driven by people who give their time, energy, and heart to build a more inclusive world. Congratulations, Dr. Varma, and thank you to all the volunteers who make a difference every day. If you’re inspired to get involved, visit cnib.ca/volunteer to learn more. Image descriptions: 1) Dr. Varma holding up a painting of a CNIB Guide Dog in training. 2) John Magill, Angela Bonfanti and Dr. Varma pose together holding the Magill Award.

The 2025 CNIB Guide Dogs Halifax Gala was absolutely paw-fect! 🐾 This evening was packed with delicious food, one-of-a-kind auction prizes, lots of laughs, and powerful testimonials from individuals whose lives have been impacted by the work of CNIB Guide Dogs. Thanks to the generous support of our incredible community, over $64,000 was raised to support raising and training future guide dogs. We would like to extend a very special thank you to our generous sponsors: CIBC Wood Gundy, Royal Canin Canada, Scotiabank, AC Belliveau Veinotte Inc. Chartered Professional Accountants, Deloitte Canada, Flower Trends Florists, Insight Optometry, S&D Lighting Group Limited, Steele Auto Group, The Wine Spa, Compass Distillers and Owens MacFadyen Group. Image 1: A poster on an easel outside the event space reads: "Welcome. 2025 CNIB Guide Dogs Halifax Gala". Image 2: A young man speaking on a podium. Image 3: A photo of the event space, with guests seated at round tables, and a stage with projector screens at the back of the room. Image 4: A yellow Lab wearing a bright yellow future CNIB Guide Dog training vest. Image 5: Event attendees posing together at a photo booth. Image 6: CNIB Guide Dogs President, Robert Gaunt, and his guide dog, a black Lab named Mango. Image 7: Guests chatting together in a group.

I recently had the opportunity to be featured by CNIB in a short video sharing my story of living and working with a (still relatively new) diagnosis of degenerative vision loss. Filming was a day full of learning — stepping in front of the camera, recording voiceover in the studio, and reflecting on how my career journey has evolved since suddenly losing most of my vision. I share this video feeling proud, grateful, and motivated to keep raising awareness about the spectrum of vision loss. There’s so much more to understand about what people with disabilities bring to the workforce, and I hope this story contributes to that conversation. Many people wonder why I sometimes use my cane and sometimes I don’t — and that’s okay. This project gave me a chance to explain that part of my experience and to invite more open, honest conversations about disability, inclusion, and seeing beyond assumptions. I’m so thankful to Madi Sieger and Cody Preston for creating such a thoughtful filming experience for me and my family; to Meghna Chatterjee and Caleb from the Come to Work team; and to Leni White, Tommy Leung, James Kwinecki, Shoko Kitano and others for their ongoing encouragement and collaboration. A special thank-you to Angela Bonfanti and the CNIB team for championing these important stories. I also want to thank the Downtown Victoria Business Association for your support, curiosity, and encouragement around this project — Jeff Bray, Connor Tanton, Becca Blachut, Alison, Rob, and Jayden. I hope my story sparks reflection on why diversity makes our communities stronger and encourages more of us to consider who might be missing from the table when it comes to hiring, leadership, and opportunity. https://lnkd.in/g8xsEUVV

During her pregnancy, Madison suddenly lost about 90% of her vision. Faced with the reality of a major career change, she connected with CNIB’s Come to Work program and found new confidence, purpose, and opportunity. Come to Work connects job seekers who are blind or low vision with employers ready to tap into Canada’s full potential. “The sight loss that Madison has in no way impacts how good she is at her job. I would tell any prospective employer that minor accommodations over the course of an employment life is a non-issue. If you’ve got a quality person, you should be hiring the quality person.” – Jeff, Madison’s employer. This October, as we mark National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we champion the resilience, talent, and contributions of workers with disabilities who strengthen our workplaces and communities every day. Whether you’re looking for work or interested in becoming an employer partner, we are here to help. Visit cometowork.ca to learn more.

Thanks to a new pilot program, we’re proud to announce that CNIB, Cadillac Fairview, and GoodMaps have partnered to bring accessible indoor navigation to the CF Rideau Centre, in Ottawa! Through the GoodMaps app, visitors can now access accurate indoor maps and receive real-time, turn-by-turn directions to shops, services, and amenities. This technology is an important step in ensuring that all people—including people who are blind, low vision, or living with other disabilities—can navigate the mall independently and with confidence. We’re excited to see Ottawa take another step forward in accessibility and inclusion. 📲 Learn more and download the app here: Download for iOS: https://ow.ly/JBSk50XjTck Download for Android: https://ow.ly/an7A50XjTcj [Image Description: A close-up of a smartphone screen displaying the GoodMaps logo. The background shows a blurred view of a shopping mall. The Cadillac Fairview logo appears in the bottom left corner, and the CNIB logo appears in the bottom right corner.]

What’s happening on social media right now is deeply troubling: a “challenge” encouraging children to pretend to be blind for clicks or prize money. As someone with lived experience of blindness, I can say with certainty: this isn’t harmless fun. Disability mockery like this sends a message to young audiences that blindness is something to imitate or ridicule. It undermines the very real barriers people face in education, employment, and daily life, and makes it easier for society to dismiss our capabilities. Disability is not entertainment. It’s time social media platforms take action to stop content that mocks or exploits the disability community. I’m grateful to advocates like @Oceanne Comtois for speaking out and using her platforms to call for change. I encourage everyone to watch her powerful message: https://lnkd.in/gA7GURVT People who are blind, low vision, or Deafblind are capable, independent, and resilient. We are not a joke.

From coast to coast, we lit up landmarks across Canada for Children’s Vision Month! In Canada, more than 145,000 children under 15 are blind or have low vision, and 1 in 4 school-age children has an undiagnosed vision issue. Too many still face barriers that limit how they learn, play, and participate. That’s why CNIB created the Charter of Rights of Children Who Are Blind or Low Vision, a national call to action to ensure every child has access to inclusive classrooms, accessible learning materials, and the tools they need to thrive. 📢 Help us advocate for our children by signing the Children’s Charter: https://lnkd.in/ghaEzKZd City of Toronto Calgary Tower CN Tower / Tour CN City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa [Image description: Various photos of major landmarks across Canada, such as the CN Tower, Ottawa Sign, Calgary Tower, and the Toronto Sign, illuminated in a bold yellow in honour of Children’s Vision Month.]