Media Advisory - White Cane Dinner

OTTAWA, Feb. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) is holding its annual White Cane Dinner at the YMCA on Friday, February 8, 2013 at 6 PM.

This year's honouree and recipient of the President's Award is the CCB's patron David C. Onley, the first person with a disability to be appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. The award is given annually to a person who has made positive contributions to the blind and vision impaired community or serves as a model and an inspiration to those with disabilities. Prior to and during his tenure, His Honour has worked tirelessly to improve accessibility for all. In addition, entertainer and motivational speaker Terry Kelly is being named White Cane Person of the Year for his efforts on behalf of blind and vision impaired Canadians.

The White Cane Dinner is the culmination of activities across Canada during White Cane Week™ including the AMI Canadian Vision Impaired Curling Championship held at the Ottawa Curling Club with the final championship at 1 pm Friday afternoon, February 8th. One of the purposes of the championship is to demonstrate the abilities of blind and vision impaired Canadians.

About the CCB

The Canadian Council of the Blind was founded in 1944 by blind war veterans and schools of the blind.  It is the largest membership based organization for the blind in Canada and deals with the ongoing effects of vision loss with such programs as advocacy, sports and recreation and employment.

About Accessible Media Inc.

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is a not-for-profit multimedia organization operating two broadcast services; AMI-TV and AMI-audio, and a web site, AMI.ca. AMI serves more than five million Canadians who are blind or with low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, learning disabled, mobility or print restricted, or learning English as a second language by making print, broadcast and online media accessible.

SOURCE: Accessible Media Inc. (AMI)

on the White Cane Dinner, the AMI Canadian Vision Impaired Curling Championship or other White Cane Week initiatives, please contact Jim Prowse at 613-567-0311 or visit www.ccbnational.net.