CNIB Foundation opens Ottawa Community Hub in Lansdowne Park – transforming community into beacon of accessibility and inclusion
OTTAWA – June 6, 2019 – Today, the CNIB Foundation opened the Ottawa Community Hub in Lansdowne Park to empower people impacted by blindness to live the lives they choose.
"Life is a beautiful, wonderful, complicated thing. Life with blindness should be no different," says Duane Morgan, Executive Director, CNIB Foundation Ontario East. "As we transform our community into a beacon of accessibility and inclusion, we've opened the Ottawa Community Hub to cultivate a stronger community presence where people can live, work and play without barriers."
The CNIB Ottawa Community Hub, at 425 Marché Way, hosts an extensive menu of offerings, including accessible technology training, advocacy resources, child and youth programming, peer support sessions as well as opportunities within culture, recreation and sport.
"Whether it's kids and parents having playgroups with tactile toys, teens trying out accessible technology, or adults reviewing the latest bestseller in braille book clubs, there’s something for everyone," says Morgan. "From teaching participants how to unleash the power of technology– to making sure children and parents have the best school experience possible, these vital programs are emboldening people who are blind or partially sighted to lead independent, active lives."
The CNIB Ottawa Community Hub includes:
- A tech bar where community members have an opportunity to learn more about accessible low-tech and high-tech devices;
- An accessible kitchen where community members can try out their culinary skills;
- A doggy Bar where “K9 staff,” volunteers and guides can enjoy a tasty treat;
- And, an agile community space (i.e. no offices) where staff and volunteers can create and share ideas in an inclusive atmosphere.
Did you know? Today, an estimated 500,000 Canadians are blind or partially sighted. An estimated 5.59 million more have an eye disease that could cause sight loss. Factoring in their families, friends and caregivers, sight loss touches millions more.
About the CNIB Foundation
Founded in 1918, the CNIB Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization that empowers people impacted by blindness to live the lives they choose. Funded by charitable donations and enabled by the selfless contributions of volunteers, our innovative programs and powerful advocacy drive change in communities from coast to coast to coast.
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For more information, please contact:
Karin McArthur
Lead, Marketing & Communications
CNIB Foundation
437-922-7353
Karin.McArthur@cnib.ca