Radical Empathy
Every session is shaped by a genuine understanding of the emotional and practical challenges of vision loss — no assumptions, no judgment.
Founded & Led by a Blind Individual — Lived Experience You Can Trust
Master Your Technology.
Reclaim Your Independence.
Personalized, patient, one-on-one assistive technology training — from someone who truly understands what it means to navigate the world without sight.
In-Person: Niagara Region, Ontario
Virtual: All of Canada
AODA & WCAG 2.1 Compliant
Our Story
Training from Someone Who Has Lived It
SightQuest.ca was founded in Welland, Ontario by an individual who has personally navigated vision loss — and emerged stronger for it. When sight changed, so did everything else: the phone, the computer, the way everyday appliances worked. Learning to use assistive technology wasn't just a skill — it was a lifeline back to independence, employment, and dignity.
That journey revealed a profound gap. Generic tech support doesn't understand blindness. Hotlines offer scripts, not solutions. What newly blind or low-vision individuals truly need is someone who already knows every shortcut, every workaround, every moment of frustration — because they have been there.
That is the SightQuest difference. Every session is guided by genuine empathy and hard-won expertise. No condescension, no impatience, no "just Google it." Simply thoughtful, focused, human instruction designed around your specific goals.
Our mission extends beyond individual training. We believe in digital equity, socio-economic inclusion, and employment readiness for all visually impaired Canadians — because access to technology is access to opportunity.
Lived Experience Led
Canadian & Local
Employment Focused
Hands-On, Goal-Oriented
Training is built around your real-life goals — whether that's reading email independently, returning to work, or simply calling family without assistance.
Digital Equity Advocacy
We actively connect clients to Canadian funding programs, library services, and community supports to remove every barrier to access.
Deeply Local, Nationally Available
Based in Welland, we serve the entire Niagara Region in person and offer high-quality virtual sessions to clients anywhere in Canada.
What We Teach
Comprehensive Training Services
Patient, one-on-one instruction tailored to your device, your goals, and your pace. No generic curriculum — every session is yours.
Mobile Accessibility
Master your smartphone with confidence — no sight required.
- VoiceOver on iPhone & iPad — gestures, navigation, app usage
- TalkBack on Android — setup, gestures, customization
- Phone calls, messaging, email, photos, and apps
- Magnification, display settings, and low-vision features
- Banking, health, and government apps
Computer Screen Readers
Powerful training on the industry-standard tools used in workplaces across Canada.
- JAWS (Job Access With Speech) — Windows screen reader
- NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) — free, powerful alternative
- Narrator — built-in Windows screen reader
- VoiceOver for Mac — full macOS accessibility
- Microsoft Office, email, web browsing, and employment apps
Smart Home Technology
Transform your living space into an environment that works for you — voice-first.
- Amazon Echo / Alexa — setup, skills, routines
- Google Home / Nest — voice control and integrations
- Smart thermostats, lighting, locks, and appliances
- Smart TV accessibility features and streaming services
- Setting up accessible home automation routines
Not sure which service is right for you? Get in touch — the first consultation is always free.
Book Your Free ConsultationFor Newly Blind & Low-Vision Individuals
Canadian Resource Hub
A curated authority guide to the most important programs, services, and rights available to blind and low-vision Canadians. Bookmark this page.
ODSP Assistive Technology Funding
Ontario's Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) includes an Assistive Devices Program (ADP) that can fund specialized aids for people with vision loss. Eligible items include screen magnifiers, Braille displays, talking software, and more. A healthcare professional assessment is typically required to apply.
💡 SightQuest can help you identify eligible devices and prepare your application materials.
CELA Library Services
The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) is a national library service providing books and reading materials in accessible formats — DAISY audio, MP3, large print, and e-text — to Canadians with print disabilities. Registration is free through your local public library, including Niagara Falls Public Library and Lincoln Public Library.
💡 Ask your local library branch to register you, or contact CELA directly at 1-855-655-2273.
The Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
The Accessible Canada Act (Bill C-81), in force since 2019, mandates that federally regulated organizations — including banks, broadcasters, telecom providers, and the federal government — proactively identify and remove barriers for persons with disabilities. If you have faced barriers with a federal entity, you can file a complaint with the Accessibility Commissioner.
💡 Know your rights. SightQuest can point you to self-advocacy resources.
AODA — Accessibility for Ontarians
Ontario's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) legally requires businesses and organizations to provide accessible customer service, information, and employment practices. Under AODA's Employment Standards, employers must accommodate employees with vision loss, including providing accessible formats and assistive technology in the workplace. You can file a complaint with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario.
💡 If your employer has not accommodated your vision loss, this law is on your side.
CNIB — Community & Peer Support
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) offers peer support groups, orientation and mobility training referrals, vision rehabilitation services, and community programs across Canada. They can connect you with local support networks in the Niagara Region. Their CNIB SmartLife program specifically covers assistive technology skill development.
💡 CNIB and SightQuest can work alongside each other — the combination is powerful.
Employment Readiness & Workplace AT
Employment Ontario offers Assistive Technology for Employment funding through its vocational rehabilitation stream, helping workers with disabilities acquire the tools and training needed to find and maintain employment. The federal Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) and Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities also offer pathways to employment supports. Mastering workplace-grade screen readers like JAWS is often the critical bridge.
💡 SightQuest training can be submitted as a vocational rehabilitation expense in many cases.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Real answers to the questions we hear most often — including voice search queries for Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.
Where can I find phone training for the blind in Canada?
SightQuest.ca offers specialized smartphone training for blind and low-vision Canadians, covering VoiceOver on iPhone and TalkBack on Android. Sessions are available in person throughout the Niagara Region (Welland, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, and surrounding areas) and via high-quality virtual sessions for clients anywhere across Canada — from British Columbia to Newfoundland. Each session is completely one-on-one and tailored to your specific phone, your apps, and your personal goals.
Is there assistive technology training near me in Ontario?
Yes. SightQuest.ca is based in Welland, Ontario and offers in-person, hands-on assistive technology training throughout the Niagara Region — including St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Port Colborne, Thorold, Pelham, Lincoln, Grimsby, Fort Erie, and Niagara-on-the-Lake. For clients elsewhere in Ontario or Canada, we provide excellent virtual training sessions via video call, which many clients find equally effective for screen reader and smartphone training.
Can I get government funding for assistive technology training in Ontario?
Yes — there are multiple pathways to funding. Ontario's ODSP Assistive Devices Program can cover specific assistive technology hardware. Employment Ontario's vocational rehabilitation stream may fund training as part of an employment plan. At the federal level, the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities and ESDC programs can support employment-related training. Contact us for a free consultation and we can help you identify which programs best apply to your situation and goals.
What is a screen reader and how can I learn to use one?
A screen reader is software that reads aloud everything on your computer or phone screen — text, menus, buttons, and more — converting it to speech or Braille output. The most common screen readers are JAWS (used most in professional workplaces), NVDA (a free and powerful option for Windows), Narrator (built into Windows), and VoiceOver (built into Apple devices — both Mac and iPhone). SightQuest teaches all of these through patient, one-on-one sessions where you learn at your own pace using your own device.
Who teaches at SightQuest and why is that important?
SightQuest.ca was founded and is led by a blind individual with direct, lived experience using assistive technology every single day. That distinction matters enormously. Training from someone with lived experience means you get instruction that is genuinely empathetic, deeply practical, and informed by real challenges — not a generic IT script. Your instructor has personally navigated the learning curve you are facing, knows every stumbling block, and teaches you the same strategies that actually work in daily life.
Can blind people use smart home devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home?
Absolutely — and smart home technology is one of the most transformative tools for blind and low-vision individuals. Devices like Amazon Echo (Alexa), Google Nest (Google Assistant), and Apple HomePod (Siri) are entirely voice-operated, making them naturally accessible. With proper setup, they can control your lights, thermostat, door locks, TV, shopping lists, calendars, and even read your news or books aloud. SightQuest offers dedicated smart home training to help you get the full benefit of these technologies.
Do you offer virtual training across Canada?
Yes. While SightQuest is proudly rooted in Welland, Ontario, we offer high-quality virtual training sessions to clients anywhere in Canada — including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Territories. Virtual sessions cover smartphone training, computer screen readers, and smart home setup guidance. Many clients find virtual sessions just as effective and appreciate the convenience of learning in their own home.
Get Started Today
Book Your Free Consultation
The first session starts with a conversation. Tell us about yourself and what you'd like to achieve — there is no commitment, no pressure.