January is Braille Literacy Month in Canada, a time to recognize braille as a cornerstone of literacy, learning, and independence for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. To mark the month, CNIB has partnered with THE TEN SPOT® to launch Braille Nails, a national fundraising initiative designed to bring braille literacy into everyday spaces while supporting essential education programs across the country.
The initiative highlights an ongoing challenge facing Canada’s blindness community. Approximately two million Canadians are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. For children and adults who rely on braille, literacy is as fundamental as it is for sighted individuals. The ability to read and write builds confidence, supports learning, and opens pathways to future opportunity. Despite this, access to braille instruction, materials, and tools is not guaranteed, and braille literacy rates have declined for years due to limited resources and systemic gaps in support.
Braille Literacy as a Foundation for Learning
CNIB, founded in 1918, has spent more than a century working to change what it means to be blind in Canada. As a national non-profit organization, it delivers programs and advocacy initiatives that empower people impacted by blindness to live independently and participate fully in society. A core part of that mission is ensuring equitable access to literacy, including braille, which remains essential for education and lifelong independence.
Angela Bonfanti, President and CEO of CNIB and DBCS, emphasized the importance of treating braille literacy with the same urgency and respect as print literacy for sighted children.
“Imagine your sighted child being told they could learn to read only through a screen or a pair of headphones. No books in their hands. No pages to turn. No opportunity to engage with print. We would never accept that,” said Angela Bonfanti. “We know that a combination of digital tools and print literacy gives children a strong foundation for learning. The same standard must apply to children who are blind. Audio matters, but it is not enough. Braille is literacy. A balanced mix of audio and braille is what children who are blind deserve, not as a privilege, but as a right. This is about choice and equity, and giving every child the tools they need to learn, grow, and participate fully in the world around them.”
Funds raised through Braille Nails will directly support CNIB’s braille literacy programs, helping ensure that children and adults have access to instruction, learning materials, and tools that allow them to read and write independently. The initiative reinforces the principle that braille literacy should be a standard part of education for people who are blind, rather than an optional or limited accommodation.
Bringing Awareness Into Community Retail Spaces
THE TEN SPOT® brings a different but complementary strength to the partnership. Founded in 2006 by Creator and CEO Kristen Gale, the brand was created to bridge the gap between low-cost nail salons and high-end spas. The concept combines efficiency with service excellence, offering a one-stop beauty bar experience that includes nail, waxing, laser, and facial services in a welcoming, design-focused environment.
Now the largest and fastest-growing beauty bar brand in Canada, THE TEN SPOT® has expanded through franchising and into the United States while maintaining a strong focus on quality, hygiene, and employee well-being. Its staff, known as 10spotters®, receive a living wage, benefits, incentives, and ongoing training, reflecting the company’s broader commitment to inclusion and excellence.
Through Braille Nails, THE TEN SPOT® is using its national footprint to bring conversations about braille literacy into familiar, high-traffic community spaces. From January 15 to February 15, 2026, the company will run a month-long Braille Nails promotion across its Canadian beauty bars. Guests who choose Braille Nails nail art during this period will help support CNIB, with a portion of proceeds directed to braille literacy programming.
“At THE TEN SPOT®, our purpose is to make people #FeelLikeATen, and we believe that everyone has the potential to do great things and thrive in all areas of life,” said Gale. “We are proud to partner with CNIB to support its braille literacy efforts and use our beauty bars to foster inclusive spaces for Canadians to learn, engage and support its cause across the country.”
Supporting Literacy Through Participation and Giving
By integrating fundraising and education into a retail service experience, Braille Nails aims to normalize discussions around accessibility while generating meaningful financial support. The initiative reflects a broader shift toward purpose-driven partnerships in Canadian retail, where brands leverage their platforms to support social outcomes that extend beyond their core business.
From January 15 to February 15, 2026, Canadians can visit any THE TEN SPOT® location to participate in Braille Nails and contribute to braille literacy through their appointment. Those who wish to make a direct impact can also donate to CNIB, helping ensure that children who rely on braille have access to the literacy tools that shape lifelong independence.
More information about Braille Nails and opportunities to give is available at cnib.ca/braillenails.
