See Blindness and Low Vision Differently

BLINDNESS 101

An interactive workshop led by lived experience

Request a Blindness 101 workshop today
A Blindness 101 workshop in action. In the foreground, presenter Shawn Marsolais smiles warmly while holding a white mobility cane. Behind her, approximately 15 participants are seated at a U-shaped arrangement of tables, looking toward the camera.

What is Blindness 101?

Blindness 101 is a two-hour interactive workshop designed to challenge common assumptions about blindness and provide practical tools for inclusion. Attendees practice sighted guide technique and participate in blindfold simulations which are always debriefed by a facilitator with lived experience since it’s been shown that exercises like blindfold simulations can actually accidentally reinforce negative stereotypes. They also learn about the importance of inclusive language and how to feel confident navigating social interactions with people who are blind and low vision.

We do things differently. When participants spend two hours in a room with a capable facilitator who is blind or low vision, it completely shifts their perception of what is possible. Every blindfold simulation and sighted guide practice activity is immediately unpacked and debriefed by a someone who navigates the world without sight every single day, giving the workshop participants valuable context and perspective on what they’ve experienced.

Watch: See what to expect and discover the benefits of a Blindness 101 Workshop from past participants.

Blindness 101 is perfect for:

  • Icon of a School

    Educators & School Staff

    looking to make classrooms more accessible.

  • Icon of an Office Building

    Customer service teams and businesses

    aiming to create a welcoming experience for all patrons.

  • Icon of a Work Badge

    Employers and HR departments

    actively building out their EDI initiatives.

  • Icon of a First Aid Kit

    Healthcare providers and recreation leaders

    who want better tools to support their clients.

  • Icon of people

    Individuals

    who want to feel more comfortable around people who are blind and low vision.

Hands-On Learning.

We know your team is busy, which is why Blindness 101 is designed to be a two-hour interactive session. You won't just be taking notes. Participants leave with increased confidence, a deeper understanding of blindness and low vision, and the practical tools to reduce barriers in their own spaces.

Every one of our facilitators has lived experience with blindness and low vision. By sharing their own perspectives, they push Blindness 101 past a simple workshop and create a space for honest, practical learning.

An outdoor sighted-guide simulation in progress. A participant wearing a blindfold holds the arm of her sighted partner just above the elbow as they navigate a walkway lined with bushes together.

Workshop Highlights include:

Demystifying the Blind Experience: We explore the lived experiences of the blind and low vision community, challenge common assumptions, and look at everyday strategies used for learning, mobility, and independence.

Communication & Interaction: Learn respectful language, basic etiquette, and exactly how to engage, approach, or offer assistance to someone who is blind and low vision.

Assistive Tools in Action: Get an introduction to common mobility tools and accessibility technologies (such as braille) directly from the perspective of the people who rely on them.

Building Inclusive Environments: Learn about real world accommodations that help reduce barriers in classrooms, workplaces, and public spaces.

What You’ll Gain:

  • Icon of Shield and Checkmark

    Increased confidence

  • Icon of a Brain

    Deeper Understanding of Blindness

  • Icon of Tools

    Tools to reduce barriers

  • Image of a pair of hands in a heart shape

    Greater Awareness of Inclusive Practices

  • Icon of people

    Insight Directly from Lived Experience

Meet our Facilitators

  • Headshot of Clement, a man with short dark hair. He is wearing a white martial arts uniform and has a calm, focused expression against a dark grey background.

    Clement Chou

    BRITISH COLUMBIA

  • Headshot of Blaine, a smiling man with red hair and a beard, wearing a blue collared shirt and a dark blazer. He is standing outdoors in front of a calm pond with ducks swimming in the background.

    Blaine Deutscher

    SASKATCHEWAN

  • Headshot of Jennie, a woman with shoulder-length silver hair and dark-rimmed glasses. She is smiling softly at the camera, wearing a red top and a blue patterned scarf against a black background.

    Jennie Bovard

    NOVA SCOTIA

  • Headshot of Kerry, a smiling woman with long brown hair. She is sitting outdoors in a bright red chair, wearing an olive green zip-up jacket, with green foliage and a white flower behind her.

    Kerry Kijewski

    ONTARIO

  • Headshot of Nina, a young woman with shoulder-length brown hair and clear-framed glasses. She smiles warmly directly at the camera, wearing a light green sleeveless top.

    Nina Steyn

    BRITISH COLUMBIA

  • Headshot of Gagan, a person with long dark hair smiling broadly at the camera. They are wearing a light grey ribbed turtleneck sweater and stands in front of a brightly colored abstract painting.

    Gagan Kaur

    BRITISH COLUMBIA

  • Nika, wearing a bright green textured dress, smiles happily as a black guide dog leans into the frame from the right to give her a kiss on the cheek.

    Nika Najafi

    BRITISH COLUMBIA

  • Danielle sits outdoors on a rocky surface, smiling warmly as she hugs two dogs. She is wearing a dark green tank top.

    Danielle Main

    BRITISH COLUMBIA

  • Headshot of Aman, a woman with long dark hair wearing a white top. She has a calm expression and is standing in front of an elegant backdrop of large white roses and green leaves.

    AMAN GILL

    BRITISH COLUMBIA

Ready to bring Blindness 101 to your business or organization?

We are incredibly excited to share that, thanks to funding for National AccessAbility Week from the Government of Canada’s Social Development Partnerships Program, we are able to provide up to 30 Blindness 101 sessions to organizations in 2026 at no cost.

These funded spots are limited, so make sure you get your request in as soon as possible!

Request A Workshop
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Official Government of Canada logo acknowledging funding from the Social Development Partnerships Program.
Blind Beginnings logo. On the left, a swooping black line forms the body of a butterfly with blue and yellow wings. On the right, the words 'Blind Beginnings' are written in a dark serif font, with the corresponding braille dots directly underneath.