White Cane Day celebrates new mobility - November 2008

 October 13, 2008

GUIDE Dogs Queensland will celebrate mobility, independence, and the new technology that is helping its clients conquer new ground, on International White Cane Day, Wednesday, October 15.

Though best known for our Guide Dogs, the association also assists more than 1500 vision impaired clients across the State in a wide range of Rehabilitation Services, including white cane training; electronic mobility aids and counselling.

GDQ Communications and Marketing Manager Donna Hurley said International White Cane Day was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the association’s leading role as a provider of Rehabilitation Services, which it offers free of charge across the State.

“Our services help to educate, equip and ultimately empower Queenslanders with vision impairment to live full and independent lives, and thankfully there are a range of services and tools available that make it possible – not just Guide Dogs,” Ms Hurley said.
“On Wednesday night we will celebrate the efforts of our clients who have successfully completed training in the new mobility aid, the UltraCane; with a special graduation ceremony at the Chermside Megaplex Cinema, Westfield.”

The UltraCane is one of the most technologically advanced mobility aids available to blind and vision impaired Queenslanders.

“Traditionally, International White Cane Day, held each year on October 15, is designed to draw attention to the mobility needs of people who are blind and vision impaired,” Ms Hurley said.

“This event also helps to challenge society’s assumptions, attitudes and actions towards people living with vision impairment."

Guide Dogs Queensland will also launch its new short film, called Through Our Eyes, which recounts the story of a Sunshine Coast man who learned to use the White Cane and then a Guide Dog in a bid to rebuild his life after losing his sight overnight.