Case Study: Canadian National Institute for the Blind achieves continued accessible service delivery and expanded reach during COVID-19 with Zoom Video Communications

How CNIB Continued Critical Programs, Peer Support, & Education during COVID-19

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is a nonprofit founded in 1918 that supports Canadians who are blind or partially sighted with programs for technology training, guide-dog navigation, employment and education, and peer support. When COVID-19 made in-person services impossible, CNIB’s legacy systems proved too complex for many of its clients — the organization needed an intuitive, fully accessible video solution that worked with keyboards and screen readers to keep services running.

CNIB adopted Zoom Meetings and Zoom Video Webinars to deliver education, peer support groups, guide-dog training “walks,” and a virtual “Read to Me” program. The platform’s accessibility and simplicity let CNIB continue critical programming during the pandemic, reach more clients across Canada, and strengthen community connections while providing a frictionless experience for people with sight loss.

Canadian National Institute for the Blind

Frank Lombardo

Vice President of Property & Technology