Visual Impairment Patient and Family Resources
These online resources and websites may be helpful for patients and families in managing visual impairments.
Online family and recreation resources
- CNIB: Canadian National Institute for the Blind is a non-profit organization that offers free program and service to Canadians who are blind and partially sighted
- BC Adaptive Snowsports: Provides opportunities for individuals with physical and/or cognitive differences to get out skiing or snowboarding on the hills and mountains across BC
- BC Blind Sports: The BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association is a not-for-profit association of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, or are blind and have additional disabilities; and their families and other supporters
- Blind Beginnings: Provides services for ages birth to 19, as well as supports for the whole family
- Power to Be: A non-profit organization that creates access to nature for youth, families, and adults living with cognitive, physical, financial, and social barriers
- Provincial Resource Centre for Visual Impairment: Supports school districts’ and independent schools’ goal of ensuring equitable access and enhanced educational opportunities for students with visual impairments, including those with additional exceptionalities
- Shared Vision: Each of the agencies listed on this website provides programming or resources in accordance with its specific mandate to support students with visual impairments, their educational teams, and their families
- BC Therapeutic Riding Association: Provides horseback riding as therapy for people with disabilities
- Vancouver Adapted Snow Sports: Runs skiing and snowboarding programs for persons with a disability at Grouse, Seymour, and Cypress Mountains
- Adaptive Sailing Association of BC: A charity that helps people with physical disabilities to feel empowered and inspired to redefine what is possible through sailing
Summer camps
- Zajac Ranch: A fully inclusive summer camp where everything is accessible for children with medical conditions and disabilities
- Easter Seals: Committed to fully enhancing the well-being and independence of persons with disabilities, Easter Seals Canada provides programs and services to Canadians with disabilities
Funding information
- Canadian Military Police Fund for Blind Children: Specializes in assisting visually impaired children up to the age of 21
- KidSport British Columbia: Provides grants to help cover the costs of registration fees so that all children aged 18 and under can play a season of sport
- Variety of British Columbia: For over 58 years, Variety – the Children’s Charity of BC has been transforming the lives of children & youth in BC with disabilities and complex health needs