Attend White Cane Week 2021 events online

The COVID-19 pandemic is keeping everyone indoors for safety’s sake, but it’s not stopping White Cane Week from happening.

Canadian Council of the Blind chapters across the country devote the first full week of February—this year from Feb. 7-13—to White Cane Week, which raises public awareness of the challenges facing Canadians who are blind or partially sighted and to connect their local chapters.

Several virtual events are planned during White Cane Week and everyone can attend from the safety of their own homes. For details on events in your area of the country, visit the Canadian Council of the Blind website. Among the highlights of White Cane Week:

Canadian Council of the Blind’s Virtual Expo Forum

What: Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program

When: Saturday, February 13, at 2 p.m. Eastern

Details: Join Dr. Keith Gordon, Senior Research Officer of the Canadian Council of the Blind, and panelists Ian White, President of the CCB Toronto Visionaries; Mike Potvin, Editor of White Cane Magazine; Samantha Moore, CCB Coordinator of Public Relations and Youth Programs; and Minette Samaroo, President of the Toronto Chapter of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians.

Fighting Blindness Canada’s View Point 

What: Uncovering the Role of Vitamin D in AMD session

When: Wednesday, February 17, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern

Details: In this live session, we will be joined by Fighting Blindness Canada-funded researcher and ophthalmologist Dr. Jacob Rullo, who will speak about his research into the connection between vitamin D and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In the first half-hour of the session, we will be joined by Stephen Ricci from CNIB Smartlife, who will showcase some of the latest and greatest accessible devices and technological aids for people in the blind and partially sighted community. There will be time for a Q&A session; please send questions in advance to education@fightingblindness.ca. 

Canadian Council of the Blind’s Vision 2021 Virtual Summit

What: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic panel

When: Wednesday, February 17, at 2 p.m. Eastern

Details: This live session will feature an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on those living with vision loss. Join moderator Dr. Keith Gordon, Senior Research Officer of the Canadian Council of the Blind; and panelists Louise Gillis, National President the Canadian Council of the Blind; Michelle McQuigge, Assistant News Editor at the Canadian Press; and Dr. Orla Galvin, Director of Research Policy at Retina International.

Canadian Council of the Blind’s Vision 2021 Virtual Gala

What: Enjoy the CCB’s Annual Dinner Gala without the dinner 

When: Thursday, February 18, at 2 p.m. Eastern

Details: Join host Michael Baillargeon, Special Advisor to the Canadian Council of the Blind; and speakers and special guests that include Louise Gillis, National President Canadian Council of the Blind; the White Cane Person of the Year Award recipient; the President’s Award recipient; David Errington, President and CEO at AMI; Peter Burke, Vice-President of Marketing and Communications at AMI; musicians Lucas Haneman and Megan Laurence; Doug Earle, President and CEO at Fighting Blindness Canada; Dr. Keith Gordon, Senior Research Officer of the Canadian Council of the Blind; Ric Watson, Executive Chef and Director of Food Services at The Ottawa Mission; and more.

AMI is a proud supporter of White Cane Week.