Community resources

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 Road Runners

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

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

Contact: Craig Spurrell, 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@handsoffire.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: https://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, (289)221-9259, chris@torontoskihawks.org

Sport & Fitness

Achilles Canada

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

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

Contact: Brian McLean , 647-998-6451, 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, para@argonautrowingclub.com

Blind Sailing Canada

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

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

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

Blind Tennis

What they do: Tennis instruction for those with vision loss

Contact: Jerome, jerome@changethroughsportcanada.com

Community Association for Riders with Disabilities (CARD)

What they do: Horseback riding for persons with disabilities

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

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: https://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: https://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: https://www.parasportontario.c...

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://www.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, 647-849-5900, president@trailblazerstandem.org

Yoga classes atCNIB

What they do: Weekly yoga class for all levels

Contact: Vivian Chong, 416-486-2500 ext8275

Recreation & Leisure

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

Lake Joseph Centre

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

For more information, visit the website: https://www.cnib.ca/en/program...

Contact: 1 877-748-4028, online form, 'Contact' page

CCB-Lions Bingo

What they do: Bingo for those with vision loss

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

Safari Walks

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

Contact: Craig Nicol, safariwalk1@gmail.com

Toronto Accessible Recreation

What they do: City of Toronto's Accessible Recreational programs for people of all abilities

For more information, visit the website: https://www.toronto.ca/city-go...

Contact: 416-395-6128, aiscw@toronto.ca

Toronto Public Library Accessibility

What they do: Composer, Concert performer, educator, jazz and Classical genres

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

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

Arts & Entertainment

Access2Entertainment Card

What they do: Free admission for a support person

For more information, visit the website: https://easterseals.ca/en/acce...

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: https://www.ami.ca/

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

Michael Arnowitt, Pianist

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

Contact: Michael Arnowitt, 416-763-7344, MA@MAPiano.com

Art Gallery of Ontario Accessibility

What they do: Access to Art and Multisensory programs for patrons with disabilities

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

Contact: Melissa Smith, 416 979 6648, Melissa.Smith@ago.ca

Cineplex Entertainment

What they do: Described video narration for selected films

For more information, visit the website: https://www.cineplex.com/theat...

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: https://www.torontopubliclibra...

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

ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto

What they do: Fully Accessible film festival featuring films by deaf & disabled film-makers

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

Contact: 416-924-6211 EXT 6344, Online form

Stratford Festival Live Described Performances

What they do: Action, sets and costumes described in real-time

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

Contact: 1 800 567 1600

Tangled Arts

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

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

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

Theatre Passe Murail

What they do: Accommodations for patrons with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: https://www.passemuraille.ca/a...

Contact: 416-504-7529, info@passemuraille.on.ca

Toronto Institute of Music for the Blind

What they do: Music lessons for blind and visually impaired students

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

Contact: Stelth Ng, 437-345-5591, toronto.timb@gmail.com

Other Community/Disability Groups

Accessible Housing Network

What they do: Caolition of organizations advocating for accessible housing

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

Contact: AccessibleHousingNetwork@gmail.com   

Alliance for Eaquality of Blind Canadians (AEBC)

What they do: Advocacy for Canadians with vision loss

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

Contact: Minette Samaroo, 1 800-561-4774, online form, 'Contact' page

AODA Alliance

What they do: Advocacy Watchdog organization, holding the Ontario Government accountable for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

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

Contact: David Lepofsky, aodafeedback@gmail.com

Braille Literacy Canada

What they do: Promoting the use and availability of Braille

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

Contact: 1-877-861-4576, 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: https://www.chkc.org/

Contact: 416 – 730 – 9501, 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: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/e...

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: https://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: (905) 853-2862, info@deafblindontario.com

Fighting Blindness Canada

What they do: Foundation supporting eye disease research and education

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

Contact: 1.800.461.3331, info@fightingblindness.ca

1 Eye Collective

What they do: Brampton-based organization for those with ocular trauma

Contact: Nav Dhillon, info@1icollective.com

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: https://worldblindunion.org/

Contact: 1-416-486-9698

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: https://www.ontario.ca/page/as...

Contact: 416-327-8804, Online form on Contact page

CNIB SmartLife

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

For more information, visit the website: https://www.cnib.ca/en/cnib-sm...

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

Dr Ana M. Juricic - Low Vision Optometrist

What they do: Low Vision Optometrist, low vision solutions

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

Contact: Dr Ana Juricic, 647-824-8733, drjuricic@DrLowVision.com

E-Sight Eyewear

What they do: Electronic glasses for sight enhancement

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

Contact: 1.855.837.4448, Online form, 'Contact' page

Frontier Accessibility

What they do: Assistive 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 Assisttive technology users

For more information, visit the website: https://gttprogram.blog/

Contact: 1 877-304-0968, gtt@ccbnational.net

Get Together with Technology (GTT) Toronto

What they do: Assistive technology user group, Toronto chapter

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

HT Consulting

What they do: ADP and Assistive technology Vendor

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

Contact: Ulli Schladt, (905) 544-7551, info@htconsulting.ca

Humanware

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

For more information, visit the website: https://www.humanware.com/en-c...

Contact: 1 888 723-7273, Online form, 'Contact' page

Inclusive Design Research Centre - Vision Technology Service

What they do: ADP Assessments for high-tech devices

For more information, visit the website: https://idrc.ocadu.ca/vision-t...

Contact: Lorna Lo, 416-977-9844, vts@ocadu.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: https://www.orcam.com/en-ca/ho...

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

Special Needs Computer Solutions Inc.

What they do: ADP and Assistive technology Vendor

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

Contact: Terry Scott, 1-877-724-4922, Online form, 'Contact' page

Tactile Vision Inc

What they do: Thermographic printing and Braille services

For more information, visit the website: https://tactilevisiongraphics....

Contact: Rebecca Blaevoet, 1 866-465-0755, info@tactilevisiongraphics.com

Vision Aids Canada

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

For more information, visit the website: https://www.visionaidcanada.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: https://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: https://www.cnib.ca/en?region=...

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: https://www.toronto.ca/service...

Contact: City of Toronto 311 Service, 311

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: https://cltoronto.ca/easter-se...

Contact: Easter Seals, 416-9932-8382 ext.241

Free metropass

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

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

GO Transit Accessibility

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

For more information, visit the website: https://www.gotransit.com/en/t...

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

Greyhound Bus (now FlixBus)

What they do: Permits an adult assistant to travel free

For more information, visit the website: https://www.flixbus.com/servic...

Contact: (855) 626-8585

ODSP Transportation Support

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

For more information, visit the website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/on...

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://www.sprintseniorcare.o...

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 Accessibility

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

For more information, visit the website: https://www.viarail.ca/en/plan...

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/wheel-trans...

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: https://www.georgebrown.ca/cur...

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: https://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: https://humber.ca/student-life...

Contact: 416-675-6622 ext. 3331, 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: https://www.neads.ca/en/

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

OCADU Student Accessability Services

What they do: Accommodation for students wit disabilities

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

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

Toronto Metropolitan 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, asadmin@torontomu.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: https://uoftsba.com/

Contact: (416) 978-5483, board@uoftsba.com

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 Student Accessibility Services

What they do: Educational support for students with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: https://accessibility.students...

Contact: (416) 736-2100

Employment

Canadian Council on Rehabillitation and Work (CCRW)

What they do: Employment services for persons with disabilities

For more information, visit the website: https://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: https://aphcareerconnect.org/c...

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: https://www.jvstoronto.org/fin...

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: https://joininfo.ca/

Contact: (437) 777-5548, contact@joininfo.ca

Jobstart Employment Support/Woodgreen Community Services

What they do: Programs and supports for job-seekers with disabilities

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

Contact: 416-231-2295, WGWinfo@woodgreen.org

LimeConnect Canada

What they do: Scholarships/Networking/Employment facilitator for university graduates with disabilities

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

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

Magnet Today

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: https://magnet.today/

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

March of Dimes Canada

What they do: General Disabilities support organization

For more information, visit the website: http://edimes.org/services/cli...

Contact: online form, 'Contact' page

Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Discover Ability Network

What they do: Connecting disabled prospective employees with employers

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

Contact: 416.482.5222, online form, 'Contact' page

Spinal Cord Injury Ontario

What they do: Employment services for all disability groups

For more information, visit the website: https://sciontario.org/support...

Contact: 416-422-5644, info@sciontario.org

Relevant Legislation

Accessibility in Ontario: what you need to know

What they do: General guide to the Province of Ontario's approach to Accessibility

For more information, visit the website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ac...

Contact: 1-877-330-3213

About accessibility laws in Ontario

What they do: General information about Accessibility legislation, standards and action plans in Ontario

For more information, visit the website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ab...

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) 2005

What they do: The Principal legislation governing accessibility in Ontario

For more information, visit the website: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/st...

Accessible Canada Act 2019

What they do: Federal legislation defining accessibility standards for the Government of Canada and Federally Regulated Industries

For more information, visit the website: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.c...

Accessibility at the City of Toronto

What they do: General policy statement on Accessibility for the City of Toronto

For more information, visit the website: https://www.toronto.ca/city-go...

Contact: 416-338-2632, accessibility@toronto.ca

City of Toronto bylaws: Service Animals

What they do: City of Toronto policy on Guide dogs and refusal of service

For more information, visit the website: https://www.toronto.ca/city-go...

Other Resources

211 Ontario Services Information

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

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

Contact: 211, gethelp@211ontario.ca

311 City of Toronto Information

What they do: Information line for City of Toronto services

For more information, visit the website: https://www.toronto.ca/home/31...

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: https://www.canada.ca/en/reven...

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/

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: https://idrc.ocadu.ca/

Contact: (416) 977-6000 #3967, idrc@ocadu.ca

PAL Reading Services Inc

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

For more information, visit the website: https://www.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: https://www.canada.ca/en/reven...

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: https://211ontario.ca/service/...

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: 2023-04-25