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

Prevent Blindness logo 2026

Prevent Blindness Declares July as Dry Eye Month

Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.

Learn More
ZEISS Innovation 2026 - Webinar Invitation

Explore the Latest ZEISS Lens Innovations

ZEISS will host ZEISS Innovation 2026, a one-hour online event introducing new lens solutions designed to help ECPs strengthen their premium portfolio and grow prescription wear sales.

Read more
The Vision Council logo

The Vision Council Releases New Research on Sunglasses Non-Wearers

A new report from The Vision Council examines why 37% of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses, pointing to comfort, fit, style and habit-related barriers as key factors.

Read more
Michelle Skinner optical sales agent

Switching Gears

From Change Islands to practice ownership and independent sales, follow Michelle Skinner’s journey through the Atlantic Canada optical industry. A story of honesty, grit, and resilience.

Read more
EssilorLuxottica Meta logos 2025

EssilorLuxottica and Meta Launch New Meta Glasses Collection

EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced Meta Glasses, a new AI-enabled eyewear collection aimed at expanding access to smart glasses with Rx-able styles and multiple lens options.

Read more
Prevent Blindness logo 2026

Prevent Blindness Declares July as Dry Eye Month

Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.

Learn More
ZEISS Innovation 2026 - Webinar Invitation

Explore the Latest ZEISS Lens Innovations

ZEISS will host ZEISS Innovation 2026, a one-hour online event introducing new lens solutions designed to help ECPs strengthen their premium portfolio and grow prescription wear sales.

Read More
The Vision Council logo

The Vision Council Releases New Research on Sunglasses Non-Wearers

A new report from The Vision Council examines why 37% of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses, pointing to comfort, fit, style and habit-related barriers as key factors.

Read More
Michelle Skinner optical sales agent

Switching Gears

From Change Islands to practice ownership and independent sales, follow Michelle Skinner’s journey through the Atlantic Canada optical industry. A story of honesty, grit, and resilience.

Read More
EssilorLuxottica Meta logos 2025

EssilorLuxottica and Meta Launch New Meta Glasses Collection

EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced Meta Glasses, a new AI-enabled eyewear collection aimed at expanding access to smart glasses with Rx-able styles and multiple lens options.

Read More
Prevent Blindness logo 2026

Prevent Blindness Declares July as Dry Eye Month

Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.

Learn More
ZEISS Innovation 2026 - Webinar Invitation

Explore the Latest ZEISS Lens Innovations

ZEISS will host ZEISS Innovation 2026, a one-hour online event introducing new lens solutions designed to help ECPs strengthen their premium portfolio and grow prescription wear sales.

Read more
The Vision Council logo

The Vision Council Releases New Research on Sunglasses Non-Wearers

A new report from The Vision Council examines why 37% of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses, pointing to comfort, fit, style and habit-related barriers as key factors.

Read more
Michelle Skinner optical sales agent

Switching Gears

From Change Islands to practice ownership and independent sales, follow Michelle Skinner’s journey through the Atlantic Canada optical industry. A story of honesty, grit, and resilience.

Read more
EssilorLuxottica Meta logos 2025

EssilorLuxottica and Meta Launch New Meta Glasses Collection

EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced Meta Glasses, a new AI-enabled eyewear collection aimed at expanding access to smart glasses with Rx-able styles and multiple lens options.

Read more
Prevent Blindness logo 2026

Prevent Blindness Declares July as Dry Eye Month

Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.

Learn More
ZEISS Innovation 2026 - Webinar Invitation

Explore the Latest ZEISS Lens Innovations

ZEISS will host ZEISS Innovation 2026, a one-hour online event introducing new lens solutions designed to help ECPs strengthen their premium portfolio and grow prescription wear sales.

Read more
The Vision Council logo

The Vision Council Releases New Research on Sunglasses Non-Wearers

A new report from The Vision Council examines why 37% of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses, pointing to comfort, fit, style and habit-related barriers as key factors.

Read more
Michelle Skinner optical sales agent

Switching Gears

From Change Islands to practice ownership and independent sales, follow Michelle Skinner’s journey through the Atlantic Canada optical industry. A story of honesty, grit, and resilience.

Read more
EssilorLuxottica Meta logos 2025

EssilorLuxottica and Meta Launch New Meta Glasses Collection

EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced Meta Glasses, a new AI-enabled eyewear collection aimed at expanding access to smart glasses with Rx-able styles and multiple lens options.

Read more