CNIB

Connecting the Dots 2024 is BACK – bigger, better, and more impactful than ever! By popular demand, Early Bird pricing has been extended! You now have until September 27, 2024, at 7 a.m. ET to grab your spot at a special rate. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! 🗓️Montreal - October 16, 2024 🗓️Toronto (Hybrid) - November 1, 2024 🗓️Edmonton - November 4, 2024 🗓️Halifax - May 2025 What’s in store at hashtag #ConnectingTheDots2024? Prepare for inspiring keynotes, thought-provoking panels, hands-on workshops, and an unbeatable lineup of experts in education, technology, and employment. This is your chance to connect, learn, and grow with the best in the field. Secure your spot today and join the conversation that’s shaping the future! 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/gQigJNXh Image description: A woman talks to an attendee. Connecting the Dots. Education, Technology, and Employment Conference. October 16 - Montreal. November 1 - Toronto & Online. November 4 - Edmonton. May 2025 - Halifax.

ICYMI: Connecting the Dots – Montreal – proudly presented by Moneris, RBC, Scotiabank, and BDC Montreal, you blew us away! More than 125 attendees gathered for an unforgettable day filled with inspiring talks, cutting-edge tech, and game-changing ideas that are shaping the future of accessibility. A massive thank you to our national sponsors, Moneris, RBC, Scotiabank and BDC. Your support fuels our mission to create a more inclusive world. Special thanks to KPMG Canada for generously donating their beautiful venue – the perfect backdrop for all the meaningful connections we made. We couldn’t have done it without our amazing vendors, partners, exhibitors, volunteers, and of course, YOU! Whether you joined us in person or supported us from afar, you helped make #CTDMontreal a huge success. Event Highlight: The robot guide dog from Ontario Tech University stole the show, wowing attendees with a glimpse into the future of assistive tech. 🐾🤖 Swipe through the photos below to relive the best moments. Thank you for making #ConnectingTheDots unforgettable. Next stop Toronto and Edmonton…we hope to see you there! P.S. Don't miss out! Registration is still open for our upcoming events in Toronto and Edmonton. Join us to continue the conversation and explore the latest in accessibility innovation. Visit https://lnkd.in/gQigJNXh to save your spot today! Image descriptions: 1) Thank you to our national sponsors. The Connecting the Dots Logo. The BDC, Moneris, RBC Future Launch and Scotiabank logos. The text, “Thank you to our venue provider.” The KPMG Logo. 2) A group of people pose for a photo at the event. They have a robot dog and a blue banner that is being held up. 3) A woman holds a piece of accessible technology while having a discussion with a man who holds it up for her to examine. 4)The robot dog stands up in the middle of the conference floor. He has a dog tag around his neck that reads, "Brando."

The 2024 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, $67,000 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, Scotiabank, Insight Optometry, Propeller Brewing Company, Flower Trends Florists, Royal Canin, MCW Group of Companies, S&D Lighting Group, Steele Auto Group, AC Belliveau Veinotte Inc. Chartered Professional Accountants, Deloitte, Jollytails Inc, Compass Distillers, TPH, Encore and, of course, everyone at Hotel Halifax. Image 1: A black sign that reads, “Welcome to the 2024 CNIB Guide Dogs Halifax Gala” with a photo of a yellow labrador retriever in a yellow CNIB future guide dog training vest posing in front of a lighthouse. Image 2: Three Gala attendees posing at the photo booth wearing silly props. Image 3: Two Gala attendees browsing the silent auction table. Image 4: CNIB CEO, Angela Bonfanti, standing at a podium and delivering a speech. Image 5: A closeup of a black labrador retriever wearing a yellow training vest. Image 6: A CNIB Guide Dogs staff member holding the leash of a black labrador retriever wearing a yellow training vest. The dog is settling at the staff member’s feet while they are addressing a group of Gala attendees. Image 7: A sign reads: “Thank you to our sponsors” and displays the various logos of the event sponsors.

Disability is not a Halloween costume. This year, we have heard from community members who have come across the “blind referee” costume in Canadian stores and online. While Halloween costumes are often light-hearted and humorous in intent, it’s important to be mindful of the message they send and how they can perpetuate stereotypes and stigma. The white cane is not a prop but a vital tool for mobility and independence. Coming to terms with losing your sight and learning new skills can be an incredibly difficult journey, and seeing yourself reflected in a Halloween costume can destroy your confidence and sense of belonging. The only scary thing about this costume is that it’s 2024 and some people are still using negative stereotypes about blindness to make a joke. We are urging retailers to cease the sale of any costumes characterizing disability, and we are appealing to all Canadians to be an ally to people who are blind or have low vision by asking them to avoid buying this type of Halloween costume. Please note, the white cane is now an internationally recognized symbol of sight loss due to the advocacy of people who are blind or have low vision. In Canada, most provinces have formally recognized the cane as a symbol of sight loss and reserve the right to use a cane only for people who are blind or have low vision. Learn more about the legislation in your province. https://lnkd.in/g5mHhMUS

Today, CNIB’s CEO Angela Bonfanti had the privilege of attending the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where we celebrated three remarkable new inductees, including our very own Penny Bennett. Penny, a dedicated leader within CNIB Deafblind Community Services, has served as a Board Member and past Chair, and has been a tireless advocate for the blind, low vision, and Deafblind communities for decades. Penny’s induction into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame recognizes her outstanding contributions to advancing accessibility, self-advocacy, and equitable access to services. Her efforts have shaped critical legislation, including the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and driven initiatives that enhance the quality of life for individuals across Canada. Penny’s dedication extends to roles on various committees and working groups, where she continues to champion the rights of people with disabilities. We are incredibly proud of Penny for this well-deserved honour and extend our deepest gratitude for her commitment to creating a more inclusive and accessible world. Congratulations, Penny! #CanadianDisabilityHallOfFame #DisabilityAdvocacy #Inclusion #Leadership #Deafblind #Accessibility #CNIB image description: Angela and Penny pose together for a photo at the ceremony.

🗳️ The right to vote is a fundamental human right. For people who are Deafblind, accessing this right can be challenging, if not impossible, without the support of intervenor services. Intervenors play a crucial role in facilitating communication and providing information, enabling Deafblind individuals to participate in the democratic process. One of our clients in Victoria shared how having an intervenor made it possible for them to cast their vote and have their voice heard. This support isn’t just a service—it’s essential to ensuring equal access and upholding the rights of every citizen. As we approach the final days leading up to the B.C. election, help us advocate for sustainable funding for these vital services. It only takes two minutes, and it will make a world of difference. Visit https://lnkd.in/eixurFPa and send your letter now. Together, we can ensure no one is left behind. #StrongerTogether #BCElection #Deafblind #IntervenorServices #Advocacy #DisabilityRights #VictoriaBC Image description: An intervenor uses print on palm to communicate with a DBCS client.

Could this be the white cane of the future? 🦯 Last week, some staff from CNIB and VLRC and some CNIB community members in the Ottawa area got to see the latest WeWALK Smart Cane 2 and try it firsthand! Technology can play a significant role in increasing mobility and independence in the lives of people living with sight loss, and we’re excited to be involved and in touch with all the latest advancements! Tell us what you think! Would you give this cane a try? Image 1: A group of conference attendees walking outside during a WeWALK smart cane presentation. Image 2: A group of conference attendees walking outside during a WeWALK smart cane presentation.

🦯 La canne blanche renforce le pouvoir d'action. Plus qu'un simple outil de navigation, la canne blanche est un symbole d'indépendance pour les Canadiens qui vivent avec une perte de vue. Il s'agit d'un identifiant universellement reconnu, qui permet aux personnes aveugles et malvoyantes d'explorer leur monde en toute confiance. Le saviez-vous? La perte de la vue est un spectre, et la canne blanche joue un rôle vital pour de nombreuses personnes. INCA et Réadaptation en déficience visuelle Canada offrent une formation spécialisée pour aider les personnes à apprendre à utiliser la canne blanche de façon efficace, en fonction de leurs besoins particuliers. Découvrez directement comment la canne blanche permet à notre communauté de s'épanouir : https://ow.ly/RCyS50TLF8w Description de l'image : Photo en gros plan de la partie inférieure d'une personne portant un pantalon noir et des chaussures en cuir marron, debout au bord d'une rue. La personne tient une canne blanche. Dans le coin inférieur gauche, le texte indique : « Journée de sensibilisation à la canne blanche »

🦯 Empowered by the White Cane. #WhiteCaneAwarenessDay More than just a navigational tool, the white cane is a symbol of independence for Canadians with sight loss. It's a universally recognized identifier, empowering blind and partially sighted people to explore their world confidently. Did you know? Sight loss is a spectrum, and the white cane serves a vital role for many. CNIB & Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada offer specialized training to help individuals learn to use white canes effectively, tailored to their specific needs. Learn firsthand how the white cane empowers our community: https://ow.ly/b5S750TLAXF #CNIB #WhiteCane Image description: A closeup photo of the bottom half of a person wearing black pants and brown leather shoes standing at the edge of a street. They are holding a white cane. On the bottom-left corner, the text reads: "White Cane Awareness Day"

Aujourd'hui est la Journée mondiale de la vue! Cette journée est consacrée à la sensibilisation à la cécité visuelle et à la promotion de la santé oculaire. Lorsque les personnes vivant avec une perte de vue ont accès aux outils et au soutien nécessaires pour réussir, tout est possible. L'un des aspects les plus importants de la santé oculaire est la réalisation d'examens oculaires réguliers, en particulier pour les enfants. Le dépistage précoce permet aux enfants de bénéficier du soutien dont ils ont besoin pour s'épanouir et atteindre leur plein potentiel. Continuons à nous battre pour des soins oculaires accessibles et abordables, à remettre en question les attitudes sociétales et à créer des communautés inclusives! Description de l'image : Une paire de lunettes noires est posée sur un fond jaune vif. Le texte « Journée mondiale de la vue » est inscrit sur le graphique, les mots « vue » et « jour » étant placés respectivement dans les verres gauche et droit des lunettes. Le logo de l'INCA apparaît sous les lunettes.