Blind Beginnings

10/02/2026

October is Blindness Awareness Month.

Awareness matters because many of the barriers faced by people who are blind and low vision very often come from assumptions, inaccessible environments, low expectations, and misunderstandings about what blindness looks like.

The fact is that blindness does not look the same for everyone. Some people have no vision, while others may have some usable vision that changes depending on lighting, distance, environment, or the task at hand. Some people use white canes, guide dogs, screen readers, magnification, Braille, or other types of assistive techology. Others may not use any visible mobility or accessibility tools at all.

That diversity is important to understand. At Blind Beginnings, we see every day how greater understanding can help create more inclusive schools, workplaces, programs, communities, and everyday interactions for children and youth who are blind and low vision.

Throughout October, we’ll be sharing perspectives from our community as well as information designed to challenge assumptions, encourage more accessible behaviour, and help people better understand the many different ways people experience blindness and low vision.

09/19/2026

Another Camp Limitless is in the books!

What a way to wrap up August! We had a wonderful turnout for Camp Limitless at Camp Potlatch, and even the weather cooperated while children, youth and families enjoyed several days together.

There was plenty to do including canoeing, rock climbing, archery, shelter building, fishing, campfires and lots of time outdoors. But when we asked people what stood out most about Camp, we heard just as much about the people and the connections.

For children and youth who are blind and low vision, Camp is an opportunity to try new things, practise skills and independence, and spend time with peers who share some of their experiences. For parents and families, it’s a chance to connect, trade stories and ideas, build new social networks and enjoy being part of a community that understands.

And, of course, there was plenty of time to laugh, catch up with old friends and make some new ones.

A huge thank you to our Blind Beginnings volunteers, whose time and support help make Camp possible, and to the Camp Potlatch staff for once again welcoming our community and helping everything run so smoothly.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Camp Limitless 2026. We hope you had as much fun as we did!

08/15/2026

Tomorrow’s the day!

Come say hello and grab a box of Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnuts while supporting Camp Limitless. We’ll be at the Return-It Depot in Kensington Square tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

6518 Hastings Street, Burnaby
$20 per box — one dozen Original Glazed doughnuts
Cash, credit, and debit accepted

Supplies are limited, so come early or reserve your box tonight by emailing [email protected]. Every box sold helps support Camp Limitless, our annual camp for children and youth who are blind and low vision and their families.

Not looking for doughnuts but still want to help? You can make a donation here: https://loom.ly/QBrzLrI

We’d love to see you tomorrow!

08/12/2026

A reminder to come see us this Saturday for our Krispy Kreme fundraiser in support of Camp Limitless!
We’ll be in front of the Return-It Depot at Kensington Square, 6518 Hastings Street in Burnaby, on Saturday, August 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Boxes are $20 and include one dozen Original Glazed doughnuts.

Supplies are limited, so the best way to make sure you get a box is to pre-order.

Email [email protected] to reserve yours in advance. Your order will be ready for pickup at the event, so you won’t need to arrive early and hope there are still boxes left.

Cash, credit, and debit will be accepted on site.

All funds raised will go toward Camp Limitless! Every box sold and every donation helps support this year’s camp.

Not looking for doughnuts but still want to help?
You can still help support Camp Limitless and make a donation at: https://loom.ly/QBrzLrI

08/11/2026

Five days, seven youth, and one very busy house in Nanaimo full of laughter, learning, laundry, and cooking!

This year’s LIFT (Lifeskills Instruction For Teens) program brought seven blind and low vision youth together for five days of shared living and hands-on learning. They planned meals, shopped for groceries, prepared group dinners, cleaned, did laundry and used public transit to get around. Each shared task gave them a chance to practise everyday skills, make decisions, compare different approaches and learn from one another.

But the week wasn't all about work and building life skills. There was mini golf, bumper boats, karaoke, games, outings and plenty of inside jokes. Just as importantly, LIFT gave the youth time to hang out with other blind and low vision peers who understand many of the same experiences. They could share advice, support and encourage one another, build friendships and strengthen the networks they can turn to beyond the program.

A huge thank you to the volunteers who gave their time and support throughout the week. We’re also grateful to the Nanaimo homeowners who generously made their house available. Their support gave the group a real home environment and helped make this year’s LIFT program possible.

08/07/2026

Treat yourself and support Camp Limitless!

Blind Beginnings is holding a Krispy Kreme fundraiser on Saturday, August 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Come say hello and pick up a box—or two—in front of the Return-It Depot at Kensington Square, 6518 Hastings Street in Burnaby. Each box is $20 and includes one dozen Original Glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Cash, credit, and debit will be accepted. Boxes are available while supplies last.

To pre-purchase or reserve a box, email [email protected].

Not looking for doughnuts but still want to help?
Donate at:
https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/donate

06/05/2026

Conversations about how to build accessible organizations are a great starting point for this week. But to create genuine understanding, we need to hear directly from the people navigating those barriers. That is the exact philosophy behind our Limitless Podcast and why we started it up way back in 2020.

The show is guided by our Limitless Youth Committee, a group of blind and low vision youth and alumni who take on the roles of co-hosts, storytellers, and brainstormers. By participating in this podcast, our youth are gaining vital, real-world skills in public speaking while actively educating the public and shaping a more inclusive world for themselves and their peers.

By tuning in, you aren't just listening to a show but also actively supporting a space that amplifies authentic lived experiences and breaks down stigma and misconceptions about blindness and low vision. If you're looking for a place to start this week, here are a few recommended episodes from our catalog:

Episode 232: Blindness 101 and National AccessAbility Week https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/limitless-podcast/episode-232-blindness-101-and-national-accessability-week
Episode 209: Seeing Limitless Possibility: A Conversation for National AccessAbility Week
https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/limitless-podcast/episode-209-seeing-limitless-possibility-a-conversation-for-national-accessability-week
Episode 202: Low Vision or Partially Sighted?
https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/limitless-podcast/episode-202-low-vision-or-partially-sighted

Click the links above, head over to www.blindbeginnings.ca/limitless-podcast, or search for the Limitless Podcast on your favorite streaming platform to subscribe today!

The Limitless Podcast releases once per week, and is anchored by Blind Beginnings founder Shawn Marsolais, with a rotation of regular co-hosts that consist of program youth and alumni.

06/04/2026

Happy National AccessAbility Week!

Accessibility means creating spaces where people who are blind or low vision can navigate independently, access information equally, and feel welcomed in their communities.

That’s why we’re so excited to introduce 3B Printing Services, a new youth-led initiative and extension of our Youth Leadership & Pre-Employment Program with a powerful dual purpose: creating more accessible spaces while helping blind and low vision youth build real-world employment skills.

Through 3B Printing Services, we create affordable custom braille and tactile products designed to make everyday environments more inclusive.

But the impact goes far beyond the signs and products themselves.

Through this initiative, youth gain hands-on experience with:
• 3D modeling and digital design
• Braille embossing technology
• Production workflows and quality control
• Marketing, pricing, and customer service

They’re developing practical skills, confidence, technical skills, and leadership experience that will support them in post-secondary education, employment, and beyond. Every order helps create a more accessible community while directly investing in the future of blind and low vision youth.

Learn more about our 3B Printing Services below:

https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/3b-printing

If you're curious to learn about the origins about this initiative and the team behind 3B Printing, listen to the latest episode of the Limitless Podcast:
https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/limitless-podcast/episode-233-introducing-3b-printing-services

06/03/2026

Happy National AccessAbility Week!

A lot of organizations assume that becoming accessible requires a massive budget and months of planning. It doesn't. One of the best first steps is actually surprisingly simple. Adding braille to your business cards is a quick change that sends a very clear message about who is welcome at your table.

Networking is ultimately about making meaningful connections. When you hand over a standard print-only card, it automatically excludes professionals who are blind and low vision. We can fix that. We take your existing printed business cards and emboss up to five lines of clear, tactile braille right onto them. Your contact info becomes fully accessible, and your existing design stays exactly the same.

We can emboss up to five lines (14 characters per line) including your name, title, or phone number. Just ship your cards directly to us or drop them off at our East Pender Street office in Vancouver.

Make your networking a truly inclusive experience! Click the link below for more information and get your business cards brailled today and help us build a strong, accessible Canada!

https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/braille-business-cards

06/01/2026

Happy National AccessAbility Week!

This week is all about dismantling barriers, and at Blind Beginnings, we believe the biggest barrier our youth face isn't blindness and low vision, it is society's misconceptions.

To kick off the week, we are highlighting how we are working to change those perceptions through our Blindness 101 Workshop.

When we train educators, HR departments, customer service teams, and individuals, we are actively trying to create a world where children and youth who are blind and low vision can step into classrooms, businesses, and workplaces feeling welcomed and understood, rather than underestimated.

Blindness 101 is a two-hour interactive session designed to challenge common assumptions about blindness and provide practical tools for inclusion. What makes our workshop truly unique is that it is entirely led by facilitators with lived experience.

In just two hours, your team will learn about various topics such as communication and etiquette, assistive tools such as braille and the mobility cane, and how to make spaces more accessible, all in a safe, hands-on learning environment.

And we have some incredibly exciting news! 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 absolutely no cost!

These funded spots are limited. Click the link below to request a workshop for your team and help us build a more accessible community for the next generation!

For more information or to request your fully funded session of Blindness 101:
https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/blindness-101-workshop-naaw