Annual White Cane Awareness Day

WHO: Members of the Press are Cordially Invited

WHAT: Annual White Cane Awareness Day

WHEN: October 15, 2010 – between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm

WHERE:

Newport, 8:30AM

Saint Albans, 11:00AM

Brattleboro, 3:00PM

Rutland, 4:00PM

WHY: In 1990, former Governor Madeleine Kunin formally recognized October 15th as White Cane Awareness Day in the state of Vermont. Every year the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI) celebrates this day to raise awareness of the issues that blind and visually impaired individuals face as they travel Vermont’s streets and sidewalks. Many motorists remain unaware of these pedestrian rights and corresponding motorist responsibilities, and are similarly unaware of the penalties incurred by those caught violating them – a $100 fine and four points added to the violator’s license. This year VABVI members and supporters, along employees of the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI), will take to the streets of Vermont to spread awareness of White Cane Day, with walks hosted in Newport, Saint Albans, Brattleboro, and Rutland.

Rutland – 4:30PM (Biggest Event)

We will be gathering in the atrium of the State Office Building in downtown Rutland at 4:00PM with a walk to City Hall and back to begin at 4:30PM. There will be a reception to follow, at which representatives of the Division for the Blind and the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired will present a certificate of thanks to the city of Rutland for their continued efforts to make the city more accessible for people with disabilities. Music and refreshments will be provided at this reception.
Newport – 8:30AM

Harriet Green from VABVI will be coordinating a White Cane Awareness Day Walk on Friday October 15 in Newport. The walk will begin at 8:30am. The Mayor and a member of the City Council join us.

St. Albans – 11:00AM

Our Peer Assisted Learning and Support group (PALS) from St Albans will be going to the mall and educating store employees how to help visually impaired and blind customers while shopping in their stores. The walk will begin at 11:00am. The members will g to lunch after wards.

Brattleboro – 3:00PM

The Brattleboro office is planning a short White Cane Day walk around the Brattleboro Common from 3:00pm to 4:00pm on Friday, October 15th. Participants from our Brattleboro, Springfield, and White River Junction PALS are attending, as well as clients from Windham and Windsor counties.

Please call ahead to schedule a time to meet with us. We would be happy to arrange interviews with staff and clients, photo opportunities or have you join us for an activity!

Contacts:

Ayeshah Raftery, Director of Development

(800) 639-5861 extension 224 / araftery@vabvi.org

Harriet Hall, Group Assistant

(877) 350-8838 extension 275 / hhall@vabvi.org

Vicki Vest, Volunteer Coordinator

(877) 350-8839 / vvest@vabvi.org