CNIB Foundation facts for kids
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Fondation INCA
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Logo since 2018
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CNIB headquarters in Toronto
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| Formation | March 30, 1918 |
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| Type | Charitable organization |
| Registration no. | 119219459RR0003 |
| Headquarters | 1929 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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Staff
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1,100 |
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Volunteers
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10,000 |
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Formerly called
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Canadian National Institute for the Blind (1918–2010) CNIB (2010–2018) |
The CNIB Foundation (also known as Fondation INCA in French) is a Canadian charity. It helps Canadians who are blind or have low vision. They also share information about eye health for everyone.
CNIB started in 1918 as the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Its first goal was to help soldiers who lost their sight in the First World War. It also helped people blinded by the Halifax Explosion in 1917. Back then, CNIB offered special care and jobs for people with vision loss.
Since then, CNIB has grown a lot. It now offers many programs and services. These include research, teaching the public, and helping people learn new skills. They also speak up for people with vision loss. CNIB has a special library with books in different formats for people who have trouble reading regular print. It is part of the Braille Authority of North America.
Contents
History of CNIB: Helping Canadians See a Brighter Future
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind began on March 30, 1918. It was created to help soldiers who came back from World War I with vision loss. It also supported the 850 people blinded by the Halifax Explosion in 1917. This explosion caused the largest number of people to lose their sight in Canadian history.
CNIB started with 27 employees. They helped 1,521 people who were blind. Most of these people were in Toronto. Two "home teachers" traveled to other parts of Canada to offer training.
Early Efforts and Job Support
In the 1920s, CNIB tried to help people find jobs. They also created jobs in their own factories and shops. The organization also hired a special nurse. Her job was to help people keep their vision and prevent eye problems.
Expanding Services and Advocacy
By the 1950s, CNIB was helping over 17,000 people. They had offices and centers in many Canadian cities. They also started a research program to prevent blindness.
CNIB began to speak up for the rights of people with vision loss. In 1930, the Blind Voters Act was passed. This law allowed a person who is blind to vote with help from someone who can see. CNIB also helped with laws about eye drops for newborns. These drops help prevent diseases that can cause blindness. In 1956, CNIB helped start a course for blind computer programmers.
Changes to the Name
In 2010, the organization officially changed its name to "CNIB." This change happened after talking with its members across the country. In 2018, the organization changed its name again to the CNIB Foundation.
Services Offered by CNIB: Support for Daily Life
CNIB offers many services for Canadians who are blind or have low vision. These services help people live full and independent lives.
Support for Learning and Travel
CNIB helps people go back to school. They offer advice on how to travel safely. They also provide emotional support for people adjusting to vision loss. These services are available at CNIB offices, in the community, over the phone, online, or at home.
CNIB also helps people with social issues. They can offer support with housing, money, and fun activities. Staff and volunteers, some of whom are blind or have low vision themselves, lead self-help groups.
Developing Life Skills
CNIB helps people learn how to use their remaining vision. They also teach how to use special devices for low vision. Life-skills training helps people manage daily tasks. This includes safe ways to cook and do household chores. They also teach different ways to communicate, like braille and large print.
Orientation and mobility instructors teach people how to move safely. They help people learn to get around their house and travel safely in their community.
Accessible Library and Technology
CNIB used to have a library with over 80,000 accessible materials. These included books in braille, audio, and e-text. They also offered help with assistive technology. This included audio book players, video magnifiers, and computer screen readers.
In 2014, the Centre for Equitable Library Access took over the CNIB Library. This new center continues to provide accessible materials.
How CNIB Works: People and Structure
CNIB has about 1,100 staff members. They work in different areas, like teaching life skills and doing research. They also work in fundraising and administration. More than 10,000 volunteers across Canada also help CNIB.
CNIB has a main office in Toronto. It also has eight offices in different provinces and territories. A volunteer board of directors guides the organization. These directors come from all over Canada. They include people from businesses, doctors, and government. Some board members are also affected by vision loss.
Discounts and Benefits for People with Vision Loss
Many businesses and government services offer discounts for people who are blind or have low vision. To get these discounts, you usually need a CNIB identification card. This card is for Canadians who are legally blind and registered with CNIB.
Travel Discounts
Air Travel
Since 2009, some airlines have a "One Person, One Fare Policy" for domestic flights. This policy allows a person who needs a helper on their flight to get an extra seat for their helper. The helper only pays for taxes and fees. A CNIB card does not automatically qualify you. Each airline has its own rules for this.
Train Travel
Via Rail offers free travel for one helper. This helper travels with a person with vision loss in the same class. Passengers need to have a CNIB ID Card when buying their train ticket.
Bus Travel
Some bus companies offer two-for-one fares. This means a guide can travel for free when with a blind or visually impaired person. This discount is available with certain bus operators. It's best to contact the bus company to ask about discounted fares. Rules can be different in each province.
Cultural Event Discounts
You can get discounts on tickets for some cultural events. You just need to show your CNIB ID card. Most big movie theaters are part of a program called Access2Entertainment. This program is run by Easter Seals. CNIB members pay a small fee to Easter Seals to get a card that lasts for 5 years. Some theaters will accept the CNIB ID card even if they are not part of this program.
