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:
- Other CCB Chapters in the GTA
- Sport & Fitness
- Recreation & Leisure
- Arts & Entertainment
- Other Community/Disability Groups
- Products & Technology
- Rehabilitation Services
- Transportation
- Education
- Employment
- Other Resources
The information on this page was last updated: Sunday, September 6, 2020.
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