[5] It began with 27 employees serving 1,521 people who were blind, primarily in Toronto, with two "home teachers" providing rehabilitation training in other parts of Canada.

In 1923, a Dominion Charter was obtained to establish a Home Nursery Hospital and Kindergarten for the Blind under 6 years of age in Ottawa.

[10] It also offers advocacy support for resources focusing on social issues, such as concessions, housing, finances, and leisure pursuits.

[12] Assistive technology services included accessible audio book players, video magnifiers, computer screen readers, and other tools for persons with vision loss.

Specialists provided instruction through demonstration, assessment, training, and technical support about the availability, selection, use, and purchase of devices for individual needs.

[13] CNIB employs approximately 1,100 professionals, working in the fields of life-skills training, library services, research, advocacy, public education, accessible design consulting, fundraising and administration.

[14] A number of businesses and government services offer discounted rates for those who are blind or visually impaired upon presentation of a CNIB identification card.

The card is offered exclusively to Canadians who are legally blind and registered at CNIB, with 20/200 vision in the best eye with correction or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.

Some bus operators offer two-for-one fares, wherein a guide can travel free when accompanying a blind or visually impaired person.

[15] The program requires CNIB members to pay an administration fee of $20, which goes to Easter Seals, in order to receive a card good for 5 years.