Blind Beginnings

Recently we hosted our 2026 Youth Leadership Training Weekend, flying in teens with blindness and low vision from all across the province to participate! For some, that meant stepping out of their comfort zones and navigating a flight down to Vancouver just to be part of the group. Instead of sitting in a classroom listening to lectures about leadership, these youth put their skills to the test in the real world. They mapped out their own transit routes and caught the R5 bus up to Simon Fraser University. They tackled a morning Mobility Challenge, navigated the community to reach a guest speaker’s house, and even took over the kitchen to prep their own meals, including pulling together a team evening dinner. But the most important moments weren't even on the itinerary. When you’re the only person in your school with blindness and low vision, it’s incredibly easy to feel isolated. Traveling the city, cooking together, and just being with peers who actually understand what navigating the world with blindness and low vision is like can result in lifelong friendships and the building of important support networks and peer mentorship. A huge thank you to the volunteers who made this weekend possible, and to SFU for an amazing campus tour! We would also like to recognize the generous support of TELUS Future Friendly Foundation, PCI Developments, and the F.K. Morrow Foundation, all of whom helped make the weekend a success. #BlindBeginnings #YouthLeadership #Vancouver #OrientationAndMobility #LifeSkills #PeerSupport

In 2025, Blind Beginnings experienced a year of expansion and growth. We opened the doors to our first dedicated Office and Resource Centre, a welcoming home created for learning, independence, connection, and belonging. For the first time, children and youth who are blind and low vision have a space where they can practice life skills, discover confidence, form friendships, and imagine futures without limits. Our goal was simple: That every family would feel, “This is where my child belongs.” But with this exciting growth comes a reality: to keep this home thriving and to keep our programs strong, accessible, and ready for every child who needs them, we need your support. We never want to say “no” to a family. We never want to scale back programs. We believe in limitless potential and your gift helps make that belief real. Your year-end gift helps make that possible. It supports the space where children learn to navigate the world with confidence. And most importantly, it protects the future of every child, youth, and family who walks through the doors of Blind Beginnings. Please give today by clicking on the donate link in bio. #LimitlessPotential #BlindBeginnings #YearEndGiving

The rainy season is here, but your chance to escape is just a raffle ticket away! Enter the 2025 Blind Beginnings Fall Getaway Raffle and you could win: 1st Prize: Roundtrip WestJet flight for two to ANY regularly scheduled destination.* 2nd Prize: One-night stay in a Deluxe King at Opus Vancouver + a $200 gift card to Capo & The Spritz, a cozy Italian restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of Yaletown! Whether you're dreaming of sunshine or planning the ultimate local staycation, this raffle has you covered. And best of all every ticket supports programs for blind and low vision children and youth across BC. Get your tickets now! Link in the bio! *No cash value. Taxes, fees, and blackout dates apply.

Fright or Flight Halloween Fundraiser 7 pm - 10:30 pm Blind Beginnings | 2411 E Pender Street Vancouver Get ready for a spooky, spirited evening in support of Blind Beginnings! Join us on Saturday, October 25, 2025 for Fright or Flight, a 19+ Halloween-themed fundraiser celebrating Blindness Awareness Month! This is an exclusive event - only 50 tickets available, so get yours before they sell out! Don’t let the kids have all the fun this year! Don your favorite costume and come enjoy an evening full of activities that include: -Exciting door prizes and a classic 50/50 draw -Compete for prizes in our Accessible Costume Contest, where contestants will describe their costumes to the audience and judges, highlighting the importance of audio description -Beer and cider flights available for purchase All proceeds directly support programs that support BC children and youth who are blind or partially sighted! Don’t miss out on this unforgettable night of costumes, community, and craft beer — all for a great cause! Tickets are $50 and on sale now - Link in bio! #FrightOrFlight #BlindBeginnings #BlindnessAwarenessMonth

July 15th is World Youth Skills Day, a United Nations observance day dedicated to highlighting the importance of equipping youth with essential skills to thrive now and in their future. At Blind Beginnings, we proudly support youth who are blind or partially sighted through programs like Youth Leadership & Pre-Employment, and LIFT (Life Skills Instruction For Teens), helping them develop valuable life skills, confidence, independence, and leadership abilities. When youth have the skills, mentorship, and opportunities they deserve, there’s no limit to what they can achieve! Today, let's celebrate our youth and renew our commitment to empowering them with the essential skills they need. #WorldYouthSkillsDay #BlindBeginnings #YouthLeadership #LifeSkills #EmpoweringYouth

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible runners—Ruby, Ishita, Aman, Nick, Olena, Shawn, David, Kelly, Randi, and Alina—who hit the pavement at the Half Marathon this past weekend in support of Blind Beginnings, as well as their amazing Guides and everyone who came out to cheer on the team! A special shout-out to everyone who has donated so far. Together, we've raised an amazing $3,038 towards our $5,000 goal! There's still time to help us cross the finish line and fully fund our STEP program happening July 14-17, empowering pre-schoolers who are blind or partially sighted. The STEP Program (Safe Travel Education for Pre-schoolers) is a unique, multi-day summer program that helps young children develop foundational orientation and mobility skills. Through guided play, sensory learning, and hands-on activities, preschoolers gain the confidence and tools to begin navigating their world safely and independently. Fundraising is open until July 24th! Every contribution counts! Donate now and make a difference (link in bio) #BlindBeginnings #VancouverHalfMarathon #SupportBlindYouth #ThankYou #EveryDonationCounts

A huge and heartfelt thank you to the incredible team at @KempConstructionVan ! They generously donated their time and expertise to install a beautiful set of donated kitchen cabinets in our office. We love the new look and all the new space for kitchen storage! We are so grateful for your support! #BlindBeginnings #CommunitySupport #ThankYou

In celebration of National AccessAbility Week, Blind Beginnings is offering our Blindness 101 workshop completely FREE for businesses! This isn't just a generic session; it's a customized 2-3 hour interactive workshop led by expert facilitators with lived experience of blindness and low vision. We'll tailor the content to equip your team with the precise confidence and practical skills needed for authentic and effective communication and engagement with all individuals. Key benefits for your business: Confidently serve customers with visual impairments. Ensure your environment is truly accessible. Successfully integrate talented individuals who are blind or partially sighted into your workforce. This exclusive offer is available to the first 5 organizations that request a session during National AccessAbility Week (May 25 - June 1, 2025)! Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to invest in your team's professional development at no cost. Email [email protected] now to book your spot!

National AccessAbility Week, May 25 - June 1, 2025, is a vital time to raise awareness of the importance of accessibility and inclusion, and to recommit to creating a truly barrier-free Canada. At Blind Beginnings, we believe that inclusion begins with understanding. That’s why this year during National AccessAbility Week, we are offering our Blindness 101 workshop absolutely free of charge. This is a unique opportunity to connect with real lived experience and gain valuable insights in a safe and welcoming environment. By attending, you're not only gaining invaluable knowledge but also demonstrating your commitment to being an ally to the blind and partially sighted community. FREE Blindness 101 Workshop Wednesday, May 28, 2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM PST Blind Beginnings Office 2411 E. Pender St. | Vancouver, BC Reserve your spot now by emailing [email protected] or visit www.blindbeginnings.ca (link in bio) If you have already attended a workshop in the past, help us spread the word and share this email to someone in your network that you think could benefit! Don't miss this opportunity to foster a more inclusive and understanding society and celebrate National AccessAbility Week! #NAAW #Blindness101 #NationalAccessAbilityWeek

We have some incredible news to share! A huge THANK YOU to Reyah, Asal, Dorsa, and Sophia — four amazing high school students who just won a $5,000 grant for Blind Beginnings through the Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI)! These passionate young advocates chose Blind Beginnings as their charity of choice, presented to a panel of judges, and came out on top among their peers. Their hard work and heartfelt presentation moved the judges and shone a spotlight on the work we do. This generous donation will help support our Early Intervention and Creating Confidence summer programs — empowering children and youth who are blind or partially sighted to build confidence, community, and essential life skills. We are beyond grateful for their support and inspired by their dedication and compassion. #YouthPhilanthropyInitiative #Gratitude #BlindBeginnings #YPI #EarlyIntervention #CreatingConfidence [Image Description: Four high school students — Reyah, Dorsa, Sophia, and Asal — stand on a stage holding a large ceremonial cheque for $5,000 made out to Blind Beginnings. Behind them is a bright green screen with the word “Congratulations” and illustrations of raised hands clapping. The cheque is from the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Canada and sponsored by TD.]

Last weekend Blind Beginnings held our Youth Leadership Weekend — an exciting few days filled with learning, connection, and laughter. This was one of our first opportunities to welcome youth into our brand-new space, and we couldn’t have imagined a better way to break it in! Youth participants traveled into Vancouver and stayed at a nearby hotel for the weekend. Together, they utilized their Orientation and Mobility skills at SFU and the neighbourhood around our new office, practiced using public transit on a dinner trip to Lonsdale Quay, and built independent living skills through hands-on activities like making lunches and shopping at some local shops. One of the highlights was a shopping challenge that had everyone using a tactile map to navigate the neighbourhood for a mock housewarming party. There was even an O&M-themed murder mystery — yes, really! And because no weekend is complete without a few laughs, a volunteer from Blind Tiger Comedy joined us for a hilarious improv session that had everyone smiling from ear to ear, capping our Saturday evening off with a Blind Beginnings traditional game of Apples to Apples! Huge thanks to our incredible volunteers who made it all possible. We’re so proud of our youth and so grateful for our community and the neighbourhood businesses that helped with the weekend. #BlindBeginnings #YouthLeadershipWeekend #OrientationAndMobility #Limitless

What a fantastic time we had jingling and mingling at our Annual Holiday Party last weekend! Families, kids, and teens came together to enjoy an afternoon filled with festive activities, laughter, and opportunities to connect with each other. From sensory boxes and cookie and cane decorating to ornament crafts, there was something fun for everyone! Of course, the day wouldn’t have been complete without our beloved Holiday Sing-Along and a few rounds of festive Holiday Trivia. Thank you to everyone who joined us and to the amazing volunteers who helped make the day a special memory for our kids and families! #HolidayParty #JingleAndMingle #BlindBeginnings