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

Hoya Vision Care Canada logo

Hoya Vision Care Updates One Vision Sustainability Program and Moves Up Renewable Electricity Target

Hoya Vision Care has released a new sustainability report outlining progress under its One Vision program and an accelerated renewable electricity target.

Learn More
Press release communiqué de presse image

New Hampshire Governor Vetoes Bill that Would Have Expanded Optometrists’ Laser Scope

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte has vetoed HB 349, legislation that would have expanded optometrists’ authority to perform certain ophthalmic laser procedures.

Read more
CNIB Logo EN 2025

Applications Now Open: CNIB Scholarship Program

Applications are now open for the CNIB Scholarship Program, which offers scholarships, bursaries and other educational awards to people who are blind, Deafblind or have low vision.

Read more
Optik mars-avril 2026 Voila AYA Optical Ledger in charcoal

Ledger: Art You Can Wear

Ledger is a striking collaboration between Jim Yellowhawk and AYA Optical, blending rich custom acetate, spring-hinge comfort, and Buffalo Nation artwork. Subtle background numbers inspired by historic Plains Indian ledger paper add further depth to the design.

Read more
EssilorLux Meta Ray Ban

EssilorLuxottica and Meta Expand AI Glasses Portfolio with New Ray-Ban Meta Optical Styles

EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced new Ray-Ban Meta optical-first styles for prescription wearers, expanding their growing AI glasses portfolio.

Read more
Hoya Vision Care Canada logo

Hoya Vision Care Updates One Vision Sustainability Program and Moves Up Renewable Electricity Target

Hoya Vision Care has released a new sustainability report outlining progress under its One Vision program and an accelerated renewable electricity target.

Learn More
Press release communiqué de presse image

New Hampshire Governor Vetoes Bill that Would Have Expanded Optometrists’ Laser Scope

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte has vetoed HB 349, legislation that would have expanded optometrists’ authority to perform certain ophthalmic laser procedures.

Read More
CNIB Logo EN 2025

Applications Now Open: CNIB Scholarship Program

Applications are now open for the CNIB Scholarship Program, which offers scholarships, bursaries and other educational awards to people who are blind, Deafblind or have low vision.

Read More
Optik mars-avril 2026 Voila AYA Optical Ledger in charcoal

Ledger: Art You Can Wear

Ledger is a striking collaboration between Jim Yellowhawk and AYA Optical, blending rich custom acetate, spring-hinge comfort, and Buffalo Nation artwork. Subtle background numbers inspired by historic Plains Indian ledger paper add further depth to the design.

Read More
EssilorLux Meta Ray Ban

EssilorLuxottica and Meta Expand AI Glasses Portfolio with New Ray-Ban Meta Optical Styles

EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced new Ray-Ban Meta optical-first styles for prescription wearers, expanding their growing AI glasses portfolio.

Read More
Hoya Vision Care Canada logo

Hoya Vision Care Updates One Vision Sustainability Program and Moves Up Renewable Electricity Target

Hoya Vision Care has released a new sustainability report outlining progress under its One Vision program and an accelerated renewable electricity target.

Learn More
Press release communiqué de presse image

New Hampshire Governor Vetoes Bill that Would Have Expanded Optometrists’ Laser Scope

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte has vetoed HB 349, legislation that would have expanded optometrists’ authority to perform certain ophthalmic laser procedures.

Read more
CNIB Logo EN 2025

Applications Now Open: CNIB Scholarship Program

Applications are now open for the CNIB Scholarship Program, which offers scholarships, bursaries and other educational awards to people who are blind, Deafblind or have low vision.

Read more
Optik mars-avril 2026 Voila AYA Optical Ledger in charcoal

Ledger: Art You Can Wear

Ledger is a striking collaboration between Jim Yellowhawk and AYA Optical, blending rich custom acetate, spring-hinge comfort, and Buffalo Nation artwork. Subtle background numbers inspired by historic Plains Indian ledger paper add further depth to the design.

Read more
EssilorLux Meta Ray Ban

EssilorLuxottica and Meta Expand AI Glasses Portfolio with New Ray-Ban Meta Optical Styles

EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced new Ray-Ban Meta optical-first styles for prescription wearers, expanding their growing AI glasses portfolio.

Read more
Hoya Vision Care Canada logo

Hoya Vision Care Updates One Vision Sustainability Program and Moves Up Renewable Electricity Target

Hoya Vision Care has released a new sustainability report outlining progress under its One Vision program and an accelerated renewable electricity target.

Learn More
Press release communiqué de presse image

New Hampshire Governor Vetoes Bill that Would Have Expanded Optometrists’ Laser Scope

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte has vetoed HB 349, legislation that would have expanded optometrists’ authority to perform certain ophthalmic laser procedures.

Read more
CNIB Logo EN 2025

Applications Now Open: CNIB Scholarship Program

Applications are now open for the CNIB Scholarship Program, which offers scholarships, bursaries and other educational awards to people who are blind, Deafblind or have low vision.

Read more
Optik mars-avril 2026 Voila AYA Optical Ledger in charcoal

Ledger: Art You Can Wear

Ledger is a striking collaboration between Jim Yellowhawk and AYA Optical, blending rich custom acetate, spring-hinge comfort, and Buffalo Nation artwork. Subtle background numbers inspired by historic Plains Indian ledger paper add further depth to the design.

Read more
EssilorLux Meta Ray Ban

EssilorLuxottica and Meta Expand AI Glasses Portfolio with New Ray-Ban Meta Optical Styles

EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced new Ray-Ban Meta optical-first styles for prescription wearers, expanding their growing AI glasses portfolio.

Read more