fbpx

CNIB Announces Opening of New SmartLife Centres Across Canada

CNIB celebrated the grand opening of the Nanji Family Foundation CNIB SmartLife Centre in Barrie on August 13, 2021.

CNIB SmartLife is an interactive retail experience that gives people with disabilities of all ages hands-on access to the latest breakthroughs in assistive technologies, as well as tried-and-true favourites. The opening of the Barrie CNIB SmartLife Centre, now the second location in the country, was made possible by a generous donation from the Nanji Family Foundation.

“The ultimate goal of SmartLife is to give our customers the skills and confidence they need to make the most out of assistive tools that can help them lead better lives,” says Gary Nenson, Vice President of Philanthropy for CNIB. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Nanji Family Foundation for this extraordinary gift. With their support, we’ll be able to empower Canadians with disabilities to take full advantage of these life-changing products and technologies.”

Thanks to the transformational gift made by the Nanji Family Foundation, the organization will be opening an additional four SmartLife Centres across Canada over the next several months – including locations in Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, and Brampton.

“The sense of sight is something many of us take for granted,” says Pyarali Nanji. “So we wanted to find a way to give back by increasing access to innovative technology and training for Canadians with sight loss.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

Featured Posts

EyeRecommend logo

More than 1,000 People Gather for Eye Recommend’s Largest National Training Event Since Inception

More than 1,000 attendees gathered in Toronto for Eye Recommend's National Training Event East 2026, the largest event in the cooperative's history, featuring education, networking and a sold-out supplier tradeshow.

Learn More
Emotional Intelligence in Succession Planning

Legacy Planning Starts with EQ

Discover how emotional intelligence in succession planning helps optometry practices protect staff relationships, patient trust, family dynamics, and practice culture.

Read more
Optik Sept-Oct 2026 issue Voila AYA Catfish by Donlad Chretien

Catfish, Reimagined

Riva brings Donald Chrétien’s Catfish artwork to a handcrafted premium acetate frame, pairing an oversized square silhouette with subtle cat-eye styling.

Read more
Ray-Ban MARVEL ADULT GROUPAGE

Ray-Ban and Marvel Bring Four Superhero Icons to Eyewear

The special-edition collection reimagines classic Ray-Ban silhouettes with designs inspired by Spider-Man, Captain America, Doctor Doom and Deadpool.

Read more
Alberta ODs announcement

Alberta Expands Optometrists’ Scope of Practice to Include Select Laser and Minor Surgical Procedures

Starting November 1, Alberta will allow specially trained optometrists to perform select laser and minor surgical procedures, expanding access to eye care.

Read more
EyeRecommend logo

More than 1,000 People Gather for Eye Recommend’s Largest National Training Event Since Inception

More than 1,000 attendees gathered in Toronto for Eye Recommend's National Training Event East 2026, the largest event in the cooperative's history, featuring education, networking and a sold-out supplier tradeshow.

Learn More
Emotional Intelligence in Succession Planning

Legacy Planning Starts with EQ

Discover how emotional intelligence in succession planning helps optometry practices protect staff relationships, patient trust, family dynamics, and practice culture.

Read More
Optik Sept-Oct 2026 issue Voila AYA Catfish by Donlad Chretien

Catfish, Reimagined

Riva brings Donald Chrétien’s Catfish artwork to a handcrafted premium acetate frame, pairing an oversized square silhouette with subtle cat-eye styling.

Read More
Ray-Ban MARVEL ADULT GROUPAGE

Ray-Ban and Marvel Bring Four Superhero Icons to Eyewear

The special-edition collection reimagines classic Ray-Ban silhouettes with designs inspired by Spider-Man, Captain America, Doctor Doom and Deadpool.

Read More
Alberta ODs announcement

Alberta Expands Optometrists’ Scope of Practice to Include Select Laser and Minor Surgical Procedures

Starting November 1, Alberta will allow specially trained optometrists to perform select laser and minor surgical procedures, expanding access to eye care.

Read More
EyeRecommend logo

More than 1,000 People Gather for Eye Recommend’s Largest National Training Event Since Inception

More than 1,000 attendees gathered in Toronto for Eye Recommend's National Training Event East 2026, the largest event in the cooperative's history, featuring education, networking and a sold-out supplier tradeshow.

Learn More
Emotional Intelligence in Succession Planning

Legacy Planning Starts with EQ

Discover how emotional intelligence in succession planning helps optometry practices protect staff relationships, patient trust, family dynamics, and practice culture.

Read more
Optik Sept-Oct 2026 issue Voila AYA Catfish by Donlad Chretien

Catfish, Reimagined

Riva brings Donald Chrétien’s Catfish artwork to a handcrafted premium acetate frame, pairing an oversized square silhouette with subtle cat-eye styling.

Read more
Ray-Ban MARVEL ADULT GROUPAGE

Ray-Ban and Marvel Bring Four Superhero Icons to Eyewear

The special-edition collection reimagines classic Ray-Ban silhouettes with designs inspired by Spider-Man, Captain America, Doctor Doom and Deadpool.

Read more
Alberta ODs announcement

Alberta Expands Optometrists’ Scope of Practice to Include Select Laser and Minor Surgical Procedures

Starting November 1, Alberta will allow specially trained optometrists to perform select laser and minor surgical procedures, expanding access to eye care.

Read more
EyeRecommend logo

More than 1,000 People Gather for Eye Recommend’s Largest National Training Event Since Inception

More than 1,000 attendees gathered in Toronto for Eye Recommend's National Training Event East 2026, the largest event in the cooperative's history, featuring education, networking and a sold-out supplier tradeshow.

Learn More
Emotional Intelligence in Succession Planning

Legacy Planning Starts with EQ

Discover how emotional intelligence in succession planning helps optometry practices protect staff relationships, patient trust, family dynamics, and practice culture.

Read more
Optik Sept-Oct 2026 issue Voila AYA Catfish by Donlad Chretien

Catfish, Reimagined

Riva brings Donald Chrétien’s Catfish artwork to a handcrafted premium acetate frame, pairing an oversized square silhouette with subtle cat-eye styling.

Read more
Ray-Ban MARVEL ADULT GROUPAGE

Ray-Ban and Marvel Bring Four Superhero Icons to Eyewear

The special-edition collection reimagines classic Ray-Ban silhouettes with designs inspired by Spider-Man, Captain America, Doctor Doom and Deadpool.

Read more
Alberta ODs announcement

Alberta Expands Optometrists’ Scope of Practice to Include Select Laser and Minor Surgical Procedures

Starting November 1, Alberta will allow specially trained optometrists to perform select laser and minor surgical procedures, expanding access to eye care.

Read more