The Slaight Family Foundation’s $1-million Gift Set to Transform Awareness and Inclusion

Friday, January 10 2025 | 09 h 29 min | News

CNIB is proud to be among the 11 organizations benefiting from the historic $30-million donation recently announced by The Slaight Family Foundation. This transformational gift includes a $1-million investment in CNIB to support our groundbreaking accessibility and awareness initiatives.

“The impact of disability exclusion is significant, not just on people with disabilities and their families, but on our culture and economy as well,” says Gary Slaight, President and CEO of The Slaight Family Foundation. “Connecting and expanding programs and innovations from organizations dedicated to disability care and awareness will create an umbrella of support across Canada, while dismantling stigma and creating a more inclusive society for us all.”

The funding will significantly enhance CNIB’s awareness and inclusion programs, aimed at dismantling barriers to accessibility and increasing public understanding about the rights and capabilities of Canadians who are blind, Deafblind, or who have low vision. 

By raising awareness about these issues not only among members of the public, but policy makers and organizational leaders, CNIB is working to create built-in accessibility across all areas of our society, increase social inclusion, and empower individuals impacted by blindness to advocate for change in their communities. 

The funding will also support CNIB’s awareness campaigns related to transportation, health, and education, fostering sector-specific training in collaboration with the Rick Hansen Foundation to improve accessibility in key industries.

“Thanks to this transformational gift from The Slaight Family Foundation, we’re able to expand our reach and create real, meaningful change for people who are blind, Deafblind, or who have low vision,” says Angela Bonfanti, President and CEO of CNIB. “This investment will empower individuals, break down barriers, and help build a more accessible and inclusive Canada for everyone.”

This unprecedented collaboration represents a major step forward in creating equitable opportunities for all. CNIB sends its sincerest thanks to The Slaight Family Foundation for this transformational gift. 

Click HERE for the press release.

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