Toronto Visionaries chapter of the Canadian Council of the Blind

Community resources

Although many of the listings on this page may be useful to those living with vision loss or their families, the CCB Toronto Visionaries cannot endorse any of the organizations, services or supports listed here as being appropriate for any particular individual. All listings are for information purposes only.

To navigate this page you can use the list below to skip directly to a section. You can also navigate through this document using the headers.

This page is divided into these categories:

If you would like to add your organisation to this page or to correct information about your group, please email us or leave us a telephone message at phone number 416-760-2163.

Other CCB Chapters in the GTA

CCB Adventures Group

What they do: Recreational physical activities for the blind and low-vision community

Contact: Ramya Amuthan, 647-680-4814, ramya.amuthan@hotmail.com

CCB Afloat

What they do: Water sports and recreation activities including ocean sailing, swimming, paddle-boarding, rowing, etc

Contact: Craig Spurrell, 416-901-6465, craigspu@gmail.com

CCB Mysteries Chapter

What they do: Murder mystery dinner theatre group encouraging audience participation

For more information, visit the website: http://www.donnajodhan.com/can...

Contact: Donna Jodhan, donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca

CCB Road Runners

What they do: Running and 'learn to run' group for blind and partially sighted runners

For more information, visit the website: http://blindroadrunners.ca/

Contact: Craig Spurrell, 416-901-6465, blindroadrunners@gmail.com

CCB Rocks!

What they do: Indoor and outdoor rock climbing for those with vision loss

Contact: Myra Rodrigues, 416-489-9323, myrarodrigues@rogers.com

Hands of Fire Sculpture Group

What they do: A sculpture group for blind & visually impaired individuals

For more information, visit the website: https://www.handsoffire.org/

Contact: Noora Mahmoud, 416-763-7097, info@sculpturegroup.org

Mississauga VIPs

What they do: A group of socially-minded and active residents of Mississauga who are ready to offer a helping hand to anyone with low vision or blindness.

For more information, visit the website: https://www.facebook.com/Missi...

Contact: Anthony Coulter, 416-604-5663, ccb.mvip@gmail.com

Ontario Visually Impaired Golfers

What they do: Blind and low-vision golf

For more information, visit the website: http://www.ontarioblindgolf.ca...

Contact: Iona Gherasim, iona.gherasim@hotmail.com

Toronto Blind Curling Club

What they do: Recreational & competitive curling

For more information, visit the website: http://www.torontoblindcurling...

Contact: Ann Lafontaine, 416-759-2047, ann.lafontaine8@gmail.com

Toronto Dragon Boat

What they do: Blind & partially-sighted dragon boating teams

Contact: Myra Rodrigues, 416-489-9323, myrarodrigues@rogers.com

Toronto Ski Hawks

What they do: Downhill and cross-country skiing with a sighted guide

For more information, visit the website: http://www.torontoskihawks.org...

Contact: Chris Wyvill, 905-726-8649, chris@wyvill.ca

Sport & Fitness

Achilles Canada

What they do: Running and walking group for persons with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://www.achillescanada.ca/

Contact: Brian McLean , 416-485-6451, bmclean@achillescanada.ca

Argonaut Rowing Club

What they do: Rowing programs for persons with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://www.argonautrowingclub....

Contact: Lubo Kisiov, 416-532-2803, info@argonautrowingclub.com

Blind Sailing Canada

What they do: Sailing for blind & partially-sighted people out of Toronto Harbour

For more information, visit the website: http://blindsailing.ca/

Contact: Chris Jonas, 416-489-2433, info@blindsailing.ca

Blind Tennis

What they do: Tennis instruction for those with vision loss

Contact: Alan Ma, 647-282-8252, alanwangfungma@gmail.com

Community Association for Riders with Disabilities (CARD)

What they do: Horseback riding for persons with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://card.ca/

Contact: Penny Smith, 416-667-8600, info@card.ca

Goal Ball Program

What they do: A para-lympic sport program offered by the City of Toronto

For more information, visit the website: http://canadianblindsports.ca/...

Contact: 1-888-711-1112, info@blindsports.on.ca

MEDFIT Rehab

What they do: Medically supervised exercise classes for people of all abilities

For more information, visit the website: http://medfitrehab.com/

Contact: Joanne James, 647-348-9150, inquiry@medfitrehab.com

Ontario Blind Sports Association

What they do: Provincial sport association for blind athletes

For more information, visit the website: http://blindsports.on.ca/

Contact: Richard Amelard, 1-888-711-1112, info@blindsports.on.ca

Para-sport Ontario

What they do: Provincial organization of sporting groups for persons with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://www.parasportontario.ca...

Contact: Jeff Tiessen, 1 800-265-1539, online form

Toronto Ice owls Blind Hockey

What they do: Competitive hockey for blind and partially-sighted players

For more information, visit the website: http://iceowls.ca/

Contact: Wayne St. Denis, wayne.st.denis@gmail.com

Trailblazers Tandem Cycling Club

What they do: Tandem cycling with a sighted volunteer 'Captain'

For more information, visit the website: https://www.trailblazerstandem...

Contact: Lynda Spinney, 416-456-7117, president@trailblazerstandem.org

Yoga classes atCNIB

What they do: Weekly yoga class for all levels

Contact: Sue Taylor, 416-486-2500 ext8275, suetaylor@avaya.com

Recreation & Leisure

CNIB Amateur Radio Club

What they do: CNIB's HAM radio program

For more information, visit the website: http://www.cnib.ca/en/living/l...

Contact: Randy Nelson, 416-486-2500, amateurradio@cnib.ca

Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA)

What they do: Accessible reading materials in alternate formats from your public library

For more information, visit the website: https://celalibrary.ca/

Contact: 1 855-655-2273, help@celalibrary.ca

Cribbage Club

What they do: Cribbage for blind & partially-sighted players

Contact: Susan Pinder , 416-497-0444 , sjcn@rogers.com

Lake Joseph Centre

What they do: CNIB/Lions Club camp in the Muskokas for those with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://www.cnib.ca/en/about/fa...

Contact: 1 877-748-4028, lakejoe@cnib.ca

CCB-Lions Bingo

What they do: Bingo for those with vision loss

Contact: Lynda Spinney , 416-456-7117, lspinney@rogers.com

Safari Walks

What they do: Weekly walks through Toronto’s parks & ravine system

Contact: Craig Nicol, safariwalk1@gmail.com

Toronto Parks - Accessible Programs

What they do: Toronto Parks & Recreation inclusion initiatives and accessible programs

For more information, visit the website: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/por...

Contact: Elvin Dobani, 416-394-8532

Toronto Public Library

What they do: Reading materials in alternate formats for those with print disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://www.torontopubliclibrar...

Contact: 416-393-7131, online form, 'Contact' page

Arts & Entertainment

Access2Entertainment Card

What they do: Free admission or half price admission for a support person

For more information, visit the website: http://easterseals.ca/english/...

Contact: 416-932-8382, info@easterseals.ca

Accessible Media Inc.

What they do: Accessible television and radio programming, including descriptive video (DV) guide

For more information, visit the website: http://www.ami.ca/

Contact: 1-866-509-4545, info@ami.ca

Cineplex Entertainment

What they do: Described video narration for selected films

For more information, visit the website: http://www.cineplex.com/Theatr...

Contact: 1 800-333-0061, online form, 'Contact' page

Museum & Arts Pass Program

What they do: Free passes for arts, cultural & historic sites for Toronto Public Library card holders

For more information, visit the website: http://www.torontopubliclibrar...

Contact: 416-393-7131, online form, 'Contact' page

Tangled Arts

What they do: Organization to promote and showcase artists with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://tangledarts.org/

Contact: Eliza Chandler, 416-725-5064, info@tangledarts.org

Other Community/Disability Groups

Alliance for Eaquality of Blind Canadians (AEBC)

What they do: Advocacy for Canadians with vision loss

For more information, visit the website: http://www.blindcanadians.ca/

Contact: Yin Brown, 1 800-561-4774, online form, 'Contact' page

Braille Literacy Canada

What they do: Promoting the use and availability of Braille

For more information, visit the website: http://www.brailleliteracycana...

Contact: info@blc-lbc.ca

Canadian Helen Keller Centre

What they do: In-residence services & programs for deaf-blind people

For more information, visit the website: http://www.chkc.org/

Contact: 416-225-8989, info@chkc.org

Community Care Access Centres (CCAC)

What they do: Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, information on local care options

For more information, visit the website: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en...

Contact: Service Ontario, 416-314-5518, online form, 'Contact' page

Connect4Life

What they do: Access to training and education, living & job skills, broadcast training, and referrals to counselling

For more information, visit the website: http://www.connect4life.ca/

Contact: Melanie Taddeo, info@connect4life.ca

Deaf-blind Ontario Services

What they do: Services & programs for deaf-blind people

For more information, visit the website: http://www.deafblindontario.co...

Contact: 1 855-340-3267, execasst@deafblindontario.com

Fighting Blindness Canada

What they do: Foundation supporting eye disease research and education

For more information, visit the website: http://ffb.ca/

Contact: 416-360-4200, info@ffb.ca

World Blind Union

What they do: International organization representing blind and partially-sighted persons in over 190 member countries

For more information, visit the website: http://www.worldblindunion.org...

Contact: 416-486-9698, info@wbu.ngo

Products & Technology

Assistive Devices Program

What they do: Financial support for assistive devices from the Ontario Ministry of Health

For more information, visit the website: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en...

Contact: 416-327-8804, adp@ontario.ca

E-Sight Eyewear

What they do: Electronic glasses

For more information, visit the website: http://www.esighteyewear.com/

Contact: 1 855-837-4448, Online form, 'Contact' page

Frontier Accessibility

What they do: Assitive technology vendor, a CNIB Enterprise company

For more information, visit the website: https://frontier-cnib.ca/

Contact: 416-489-6690, Online form, 'Contact' page

Future Aids - the Braille SuperStore

What they do: Online store, products for persons with vision loss

For more information, visit the website: http://www.braillebookstore.co...

Contact: 1 800-987-1231, Online form, 'Contact' page

Get Together with Technology (GTT) National

What they do: National forum for adaptive technology users

For more information, visit the website: http://ccbnational.net/fresco/...

Contact: Kim Kilpatrick, 1 877-304-0968, gttprogram@gmail.com

Get Together with Technology (GTT) Toronto

What they do: Adaptive technology user group, Toronto chapter

For more information, visit the website: http://www.gtt-toronto.ca

Contact: Jason Fayre, Online or gtt.toronto@gmail.com

Humanware

What they do: DAISY players, Braille products, GPS systems and more

For more information, visit the website: http://www.humanware.com/en-ca...

Optelec Canada

What they do: Electronic magnifiers, Braille-computer access, audio-text readers

For more information, visit the website: https://in.optelec.com/

Contact: Canadian office (Quebec), 1 450-677-1171, Online form

Orcam

What they do: Wearable device with smart-camera for text & facial recognition

For more information, visit the website: http://www.orcam.com/

Contact: 1 800-713-3741, Online form, 'Contact' page

Shop CNIB

What they do: A wide variety of products for the blind

For more information, visit the website: http://shop.cnib.ca/

Contact: 1 866-659-1843, store@cnib.ca

Tactile Vision Inc

What they do: Thermographic printing and Braille services

For more information, visit the website: http://www.tactilevisioninc.co...

Contact: Rebecca Blaevoet, 1 866-465-0755, Online form, 'Contact' page

Vision Aids Canada

What they do: A wide variety of products for the blind

For more information, visit the website: http://www.visionaidscanada.co...

Contact: 416-422-5556, Online form, 'Contact' page

Rehabilitation Services

Balance for Blind Adults

What they do: Independent living skills, Orientation & mobilitiy, adaptive technology training, access to government supports

For more information, visit the website: http://www.balancefba.org/

Contact: 416-236-1796, info@balancefba.org

CNIB Foundation, GTA Region

What they do: Life enrichment, recreation, employment, child education supports, etc

For more information, visit the website: http://www.cnib.ca/en/Pages/de...

Contact: Client Services Info Line, 416 486-2500 ext.8275

Vision Loss Rehab Ontario (CNIB)

What they do: Independent living skills, Orientation & Mobility, Low-vision & High-tech assessment, etc

For more information, visit the website: https://on.visionlossrehab.ca/...

Contact: Client Services Info Line, 416 486-2500 ext.8275

Transportation

APS (Audible Pedestrian Signals) Info

What they do: A description of Audible Pedestrian Signals

For more information, visit the website: http://www.toronto.ca/311/know...

Contact: City of Toronto 311 Service

Easter Seals Travel Card

What they do: Permits an adult assistant to travel free on Greyhound bus lines, Coach Canada and VIA Rail

For more information, visit the website: http://easterseals.ca/english/...

Contact: Easter Seals, 416-9932-8382 ext.241, sheila@easterseals.ca

Free metropass

What they do: 3-year TTC Presto Pass for the legally blind

Contact: Client Services Info Line, 416-486-2500 ext8275

GO Transit Support Person Ticket

What they do: Allows a person with a disability to travel with an attendant on a single fare

For more information, visit the website: http://www.gotransit.com/publi...

Contact: GO Customer Care, 416-869-3200, online form, 'Contact' page

Greyhound Bus Lines

What they do: Permits an adult assistant to travel free

For more information, visit the website: https://www.greyhound.ca/en/Ti...

ODSP Transportation Support

What they do: Coverage of travel costs for medical appointments for ODSP recipients

For more information, visit the website: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/m...

Contact: Ontario Disability Support Program, 1 888-789-4199

SPRINT

What they do: Low-cost transportation for seniors

For more information, visit the website: https://sprintseniorcare.org/t...

Contact: 416-481-6411, info@sprintseniorcare.org

TTC Support Person Assistance Card

What they do: Allows support person accompanying a person with a disability to travel for free

For more information, visit the website: https://www.ttc.ca/Fares_and_p...

Contact: 416-393-4636

VIA Rail Escort Policy

What they do: Allows support person accompanying a person with a disability to travel for free

For more information, visit the website: http://www.viarail.ca/en/trave...

Contact: VIA Rail, 1 888-842-7245

Wheel-Trans Eligibility

What they do: Eligibility criteria for Wheel-Trans service from TTC

For more information, visit the website: https://www.ttc.ca/WheelTrans/...

Contact: Wheel-Trans Customer Service, 416-393-4111, wtcs@ttc.ca

Education

George Brown College Accessible Learning Services

What they do: Accommodation for students wit disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://www.georgebrown.ca/acce...

Contact: 416-415-5000 x2622, letstalk@georgebrown.ca

Hadley Institute

What they do: Free Distance Learning for blind and visually impaired people

For more information, visit the website: http://www.hadley.edu/

Contact: 1 800-323-4238, info@hadley.edu

Humber College Accessible Learning Services

What they do: Facilitates equal access for students with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://humber.ca/student-life/...

Contact: 416-675-6622 x3331, accessible-learning@humber.ca

National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)

What they do: Supports full access to education & employment for students with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://www.neads.ca/en/

Contact: 1 877-670-1256, info@neads.ca

OCADU Disability Services

What they do: Coordinates & oversees the student academic accommodation process

For more information, visit the website: https://www.ocadu.ca/services/...

Contact: 416-977-6000 x339, csd@ocadu.ca

Ryerson University Academic Accommodation Support

What they do: Provides academic accommodation for students with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://www.ryerson.ca/studentl...

Contact: 416-979-5290, aasadmin@ryerson.ca

University of Toronto Accessibility Services

What they do: Full range of services for students with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: https://www.studentlife.utoron...

Contact: 416-978-8060, accessibility.services@utoronto.ca

Students for Barrier-free Access

What they do: University of Toronto's Student accessibility advocacy group

For more information, visit the website: http://uoftsba.com/

Contact: 416-967-7322, sba@utoronto.ca

W. Ross MacDonald School

What they do: Public school for blind & deaf-blind students, kindergarten to grade 12

For more information, visit the website: https://pdsbnet.ca/en/schools/...

Contact: 1 866-618-9092

York University Disability Services

What they do: Educational support for students with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://ds.info.yorku.ca/

Contact: 416-736-5140

Employment

Canadian Council on Rehabillitation and Work (CCRW)

What they do: Employment services for persons with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://www.ccrw.org/

Contact: 1 800-664-0925, info@ccrw.org

CareerConnect Canada

What they do: Advice from working 'Mentors' living with vision loss

For more information, visit the website: http://www.cnib.ca/en/services...

Contact: Through CNIB

CNIB Foundation - Come to Work Program

What they do: Employment services for the blind

For more information, visit the website: https://cnib.ca/en/programs-an...

Contact: 1 800 563-2642, online form, 'Contact' page

Jewish Vocational Services

What they do: Employment, recruitment, workshops and job search skills for people of all abilities

For more information, visit the website: http://www.jvstoronto.org/

Contact: 416-787-1151, online form, 'Contact' page

Job Opportunity Information Network (JOIN)

What they do: Access for job seekers, employers & service providers

For more information, visit the website: http://joininfo.ca/

Contact: 647-728-0377, info@joininfo.ca

LimeConnect Canada

What they do: Employment facilitator for university graduates with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://www.limeconnect.com/lim...

Contact: 416-323-5770, online form, 'Contact' page

Magnet

What they do: Online job matching platform that connects jobseekers to opportunities based on their skills, experience and qualifications.

For more information, visit the website: http://www.magnet.today/

Contact: Nikoletta Erdelyi, 416-601-0987, info@magnet.today

March of Dimes

For more information, visit the website: http://www.marchofdimes.ca/en/...

Spinal Cord Injury Ontario

What they do: Employment services for all disability groups

For more information, visit the website: http://www.sciontario.org/serv...

Contact: online form, 'Contact' page

Other Resources

211 Ontario Services Information

What they do: Information on community services provided by the Ontario government

For more information, visit the website: http://211ontario.ca/

Contact: 211, officeadmin@211ontario.ca

311 City of Toronto Information

What they do: Information line for City of Toronto services

For more information, visit the website: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/por...

Contact: 311 / 416-392-2489, 311@toronto.ca

Disability Tax Credit information

What they do: General information from CRA on tax credits available to persons with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/disab...

Contact: Canada Revenue Agency, 1 800-267-6999

Free 411 Directory Assistance

What they do: Contact CNIB to determine if you are eligible for 'no charge' directory assistance

Contact: Client Services Info Line, 416-486-2500 ext8275

Guide Dog Users of Canada

What they do: Resources for those interested in dog guides

For more information, visit the website: https://gduc.ca/gduc/mygduc/ar...

Contact: 1 877-285-9805, online form, 'Contact' page

Inclusive Design Research Centre

What they do: Standards for inclusive design of information technology & practices

For more information, visit the website: http://idrc.ocadu.ca/

Contact: 416-977-6000 x3968, idi@ocad.ca

PAL-Reading Inc

What they do: Providing print materials in audio format free of charge

For more information, visit the website: http://palreading.org/

Contact: Mark Fielding, (416) 340-7828, info@palreading.org

Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

What they do: General information from CRA on the Registered Disability Savings Plan

For more information, visit the website: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nd...

Contact: Canada Revenue Agency, 1 800-267-6999

Snow Removal Service

What they do: City of Toronto snow removal for seniors & disabled people

For more information, visit the website: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/por...

Contact: City of Toronto, 311

Tor-Shout Newsgroup

What they do: Open newsgroup sharing a wide variety of topics of interest to those living with vision loss in Toronto

For more information, visit the website: https://groups.io/g/torshout

Contact: Jason Fayre, jfayre@gmail.com

The information on this page was last updated: 2020-09-06

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