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Fun Facts

Montage of scenes depicting events from CNIB's history

  • Cover image of Wayne Gretzky's autobiographyIn September 1990, the launch of Wayne Gretzky’s autobiography marked the first time in the world that a major publication was published simultaneously in print and braille. A portion of the print sales was donated to CNIB.
  • When CNIB was founded in 1918 it recognized the importance of income and self-sufficiency. At that time there were several shops and programs employing Canadians with vision loss, and CNIB decided to acquire them. The shops and programs included broom making, chair caning, piano tuning, mattress construction, a garment factory, and the packaging of commercial products, from soap to nuts, on a piece basis.
  • The CNIB Library circulates 2.2 million items through the mail and online annually.
  • Phillip Layton, great-grandfather to Jack Layton, the current leader of the federal New Democratic Party, founded the Montreal Association for the Blind in 1909.
  • Bill Gates was honoured August 20, 2002, with the Louis Braille Gold Medal, one of only three ever awarded. He received this prestigious award due to Microsoft Canada’s contribution to the development of the CNIB Digital Library.
  • In 1972, CNIB developed the Eye Van, which at first was a Winnebago camper. The program is still used today to bring specialized eye care services to communities in Northern Ontario where specialists are not available. In 1973, hockey great Jean Beliveau lent his support to the Eye Van.
  • Jeff Healey performed at a party thrown on World Braille Day to celebrate Louis Braille’s birthday on January 4, 2002. At this event he emphasized the need for funding in order to produce braille material.
  • Paul Wahl, CEO of SAP America, James Sanders, Vice-President of CNIB, musician Stevie Wonder and CNIB HR Director Mary Ann RoscoIn 1998, CNIB was named role model organization of the year by the SAP/Stevie Wonder Vision Award. The awards program promotes the awareness and widespread use of innovative technology for people who are living with vision loss.
  • Her Excellency Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada at the time, spoke at the opening of CNIB’s new national headquarters on Bayview Avenue on June 1, 2005.
  • Canada was the first country in the world to allow free postage for alternative format materials for people with vision loss.
  • In 1956, Helen Keller visited CNIB’s National headquarters in Toronto. As a result of her support and encouragement, CNIB created its deafblind services program.
  • “In 1981, Wayne Gretzky was at Toronto airport waiting for his ride to Brantford when a group of blind and visually impaired teens came up to him. Surprised that the young people knew who he was by the sound of his voice, Wayne was amazed to discover they were big hockey fans and listened to all the games on television. When he got home, he said, ‘Dad, we’ve got to do something to help those kids’.”

    Walter Gretzky, Wayne's father.
  • The Wayne Gretzky Sports Classic (now Gretzky Golf Classic) was established in 1981 and has now raised more than $2 million.
  • Original ticket from Rolling Stones Concert in Oshawa, 1979.Keith Richards and the Rolling Stones performed a benefit concert for CNIB on April 22, 1979. The performance was part of a plea deal made by Richards to remain out of jail after being charged with importing heroin into Canada. CNIB was chosen for the concert because a woman with vision loss pleaded for leniency for Richards and told the court that he had made sure she was returned home safely after a Stone’s concert.
    • More than 1300 people with vision loss were given free passes to the show for them and a sighted guide. The rest of the tickets were sold to the general public.
    • The Oshawa concert raised $50,000 for CNIB.
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CNIB has had an impact on the entire country. They have made it possible for me to continue to live my life in the way that I wanted to and needed to. CNIB helped me at each stage of my vision loss and I could not have managed without them. CNIB’s role has been to provide essential services as well as to educate Canadians about vision loss.
 
The Honourable Barnett J. Danson, P.C., O.C.

Announcements & Photos

CNIB, one of Canada’s oldest and most respected charities, celebrates 90 remarkable years in 2008. Since 1918 CNIB has been dedicated to independence and self-determination for Canadians with vision loss. Today it is Canada’s primary provider of vision support services and also works to safeguard the vision health of all Canadians.