Angela Bonfanti on Accessibility, Employment & CNIB’s Bold Vision

In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Double Tap welcomes Angela Bonfanti, President and CEO of CNIB, for an honest look at the future of accessibility, employment, technology, and inclusion for blind and partially sighted people in Canada.

Angela opens up about her personal connection to CNIB, growing up with a father who lost his sight, and how that experience shaped her lifelong mission to break down barriers for others. She outlines the Come to Work employment program, which has already helped over 1,000 blind Canadians find meaningful jobs through partnerships with over 400 companies.

Angela also dives deep into the intersection of technology and accessibility, calling for smarter collaboration with tech giants like Meta and Apple. She discusses challenges with smart glasses, the importance of accessible AI, and how CNIB’s SmartLife Centres and mobile hubs are evolving to provide hands-on training and support for emerging devices.

Later in the conversation, she makes a passionate case for Braille literacy, CNIB’s renewed commitment to Braille in schools, and why early exposure is critical—whether a student is blind or sighted. She also shares her vision for a national network of training, support, and advocacy that ensures no one falls through the cracks after receiving a vision loss diagnosis.