Media Advisory - Meet London 2012 bronze medallist Josh Vander Vies and play Paralympic sports at Variety Village's 16th Annual Active Living Conference

SCARBOROUGH, ON, Nov. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Media and the public are invited to meet London 2012 Paralympic bronze medallist Josh Vander Vies and take a few shots in his precision sport of boccia on Friday, Nov. 2 at 12 noon at Variety Village's 16th Annual Active Living Conference.

Vander Vies and Paralympic wheelchair tennis player Joel Dembe will be onsite for an announcement of a new partnership between the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and Invacare Canada, which will make sports more accessible by providing sport wheelchairs and hand cycles to CPC's Para-Equipment Fund.

All are welcome to try a number of Paralympic sports such as sledge hockey, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball along with Toronto-area students, educators, coaches, parents and healthcare professionals as part of the Active Living Conference's activity program.

The conference also includes exhibitors and guest speakers who help promote and educate active living opportunities for people of all abilities.

WHO:	François Robert	Executive Director, Partnerships, CPC
	Archie Allison	Director, Access & Awareness, Variety Village
	Vince Morelli	General Manager, Invacare Canada
	Josh Vander Vies	Boccia Paralympian - bronze medallist - London 2012 Paralympic Games
	Joel Dembe	Wheelchair Tennis Paralympian
WHAT:	Media conference to announce the partnership between Invacare Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee as well a photo opportunity with Paralympic athletes and local Toronto-area students. After the press conference media are invited to stay and take part in the many activities planned during Active Living Conference afternoon session including boccia, curling, sledge hockey, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and guided running.
WHEN & WHERE:	Friday November 2, 2012 12:00-12:30 p.m. Variety Village, 3701 Danforth Avenue, Scarborough, ON

For more information on the Active Living Conference visit www.varietyvillage.ca

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 46 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

About Variety Village

Variety Village is a world-recognized authority providing integrated sports, fitness, life skills and learning programs that impact lives and strengthen communities. Variety Village empowers individuals of all ages and abilities by providing accessible, safe, inclusive, and adapted fitness and sports through facilitation, skills transfer, and training.  Our impact also extends well beyond the walls of the Village. Through our outreach programs, we provide opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the province and across Canada to participate in fitness, sports, education and recreational activities.  When you walk through the doors of Variety Village, ability becomes your focus.

About Invacare

Invacare Corporation (NYSE: IVC), headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, is the global leader in the manufacture and distribution of innovative home care and long-term care medical products that promote recovery and active lifestyles. The Company has 6,100 associates and markets its products in 80 countries around the world. For more information about the Company and its products, visit Invacare's website at www.invacare.com.

SOURCE: CANADIAN PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE (CPC)

Mark Dottori
Director, Marketing & Communications
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: [phone] ext. 242
Cell: 613.294.5951
[email protected]

Lynda Elmy
Director, Communications and Special Events
Variety Village
Tel: [phone] x249
[email protected]

Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: [phone] ext. 243
Cell: 613-298-4927
[email protected]

Invacare Canada
Vince Morelli | General Manager
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]