The CNIB Foundation was created April 1, 2017 to offer programs that complement and enhance our rehab services by addressing the social and emotional needs of people with sight loss, and building their confidence and self-advocacy skills to ensure they receive the accommodations they need to succeed. Programs focus on children and youth, as well as adults of working age and seniors.
Entirely dependent on charitable funding, the Foundation initially offers upgraded programs that were previously offered by our vision loss rehabilitation team. We are also introducing a number of new programs as we are able. We have begun by offering activities where we have locations and staff, however our plan is to expand to additional communities as we identify volunteers, partnerships and donors to cover the costs. In the fall of 2017, we will begin reaching out to local communities and creating partnerships to support that growth.
Social and Emotional Needs
· To effectively meet the needs of people who are blind and partially sighted, you must consider the whole person, including their social and emotional needs.
· Unless these needs are met, other physical needs may be impossible to meet.
· While a person is grieving their loss of sight and is angry or depressed, they may not be able to concentrate on learning a new way of living.
· Although the need for technical assistance or support may be similar among a group of people, social and emotional needs are individual and personal.
Regional Programs and Services
Program availability varies from region to region (East, Greater Toronto, North and West)
· Accessible Technology Support and Training
o Introducing accessible technology options and providing hands-on training
· Advocacy
o Developing skills and providing the tools for people to advocate for their own needs, or the needs of the community
· Beyond the Classroom
o Fostering knowledge, social skills and independence, and guiding individuals and families, from pre-school through post-secondary school, to ensure equal opportunities for children and youth with sight loss
· CNIB Ambassador Program
o Training speech/presentation development and public speaking skills, in order to raise community awareness of CNIB's services and blindness
· CNIB Eye Van
o Providing access to eye health care for remote northern communities
· CNIB Guide Dog Program
o Raising and training guide dogs – exclusively for people with sight loss
· CNIB Lake Joseph Centre
o Offering recreation and rehabilitation summer programs for children, youth, adults and families at a fully accessible lakefront facility in Muskoka
· CNIB Library/Centre for Equitable Access
o Accessible print production and public library services
· Culture, Recreational and Sport Programs
o Offering a range of CNIB-run and community-run programs including games of all sorts, yoga, dragon boat racing, Mud Hero races, running events, arts and crafts activities, etc.
· Home-Based Support (Vision Mate Program)
o Pairing people who have sight loss with sighted people to provide one-on-one assistance and companionship
· Literacy
o Providing assistance to people of all ages, with all levels of sight loss, to help them absorb written information and share their thoughts effectively
· Peer Support
o Adjustment to sight loss for the newly diagnosed
o One-on-one peer support and mentorship
o Drop-in groups, phone and online support
· Shop CNIB
o Offering Canada’s largest array of products and technology for making the best use of your sight, and for better living with sight loss
· Youth Empowerment
o Get together regularly with peers in a safe/inclusive environment
o Learn new skills, social interaction and physical activity
o Get support and advice on healthy relationships and being safe
o Develop communication, technology, community engagement, mentorship and leadership skills