As the province of BC once again proclaims the first week in February as White Cane Week, the local chapter of White Cane Club will be setting up an information table in Town Centre Mall to raise awareness.
Local White Cane Club president Rudy Vander Maedan will be in front of CIBC from 12-4 pm on Saturday, February 10. Anyone interested in finding out more about what challenges visually impaired and blind people face in the community, including the gadgets used to make their lives easier, is encouraged to stop by the table.
“It’s a way to share how we operate and where we do need help is with public awareness,” says Vander Maedan. “A lot of people are very shy about a white cane, so this is a way of breaking the ice and talking to people to make them feel more comfortable.”
Vander Maedan has been involved with the Powell River club since 1977 and has served as president for the past three years. He says public awareness around visually impaired people in the community has increased in huge increments over the years, but adds that club involvement could be higher.
“I wish more people of all ages would join the club,” he says, “because there are a lot of people in Powell River who are sight-impaired, but there can be a real shyness to admitting it.”
Powell River’s White Cane Club members meet on the second Wednesday of each month, except during the summer, at Kiwanis Club of Powell River. They also hold events on special occasions, such as Valentine’s Day.
“It’s not all politicking,” says Vander Maedan. “There is pleasure mixed in with the little bits of business, and we try to keep that part to a dull roar.”
As for White Cane Week and the accompanying information booth, Vander Maedan says he hopes people will take the time to stop by the table and find out more about how visually impaired people live on a day-to-day basis.
“Some people still don’t have a clue what a white cane is, or how to deal with a visually impaired person, and we will always have to deal with that,” he says. “But we are just really looking to raise awareness within the community.”
White Cane Week information table
When: 12-4 pm, Saturday, February 10
Where: Near CIBC, Town Centre Mall
Price: Free
Info: 604.485.5545
