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Night Steps 'could make a world of difference'

Event is considered an "opportunity to invite people to understand the impact of vision loss"
Night Steps
The event starts at the Southshore Community Centre on Lakeshore Drive, makes a loop of about five kilometres, ending up back at Southshore. Photo CNIB Ontario Facebook.

A pleasurable stroll along Barrie’s waterfront under the stars next Thursday with family and friends could make a world of difference for those making their way through total or near-total darkness.

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind is holding its Night Steps event, starting out at the Southshore Community Centre on Lakeshore Drive at 6 p.m., making a loop of about five kilometres, ending up back at Southshore.

CNIB Manager of Community Giving for Simcoe/Muskoka Andrea Roylance says the walk provides “another opportunity to invite people to understand the impact of vision loss.”

They are hoping to raise $15,000, to help ensure more individuals who are blind or partially sighted have an opportunity to experience CNIB’s Lake Joseph Centre, an accessible lakefront facility in the heart of Muskoka.

“Pledges will also bring the joy of reading to adults and children living with vision loss,” says Roylance. “Every gift will empower members of our community with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to fully participate in life.”

Walkers will also be treated to a BBQ, as well as speeches from local officials and CNIB Barrie client Kim Marsden.

“There will also be face painting, tactile arts & crafts, local musicians, photo booth, beading station, and the Fireguy fire juggler.”

Apart from the fun and the simple joy of walking on a late summer evening, there are serious goals to be achieved with CNIB Night Steps. To Roylance, the idea is to build an inclusive society with physical, mobility, visual, auditory or cognitive disabilities.

“This means everyone has equal access to perceive, understand, engage, navigate and interact with all elements of the physical and digital world.” This includes being able to get around, to negotiate technology, communication and customer service. Roylance reckons society still has some catching up to do to make this happen.

“Ultimately, accessibility is best represented when features are ‘built in’ as an integral part of the design and development process. Unfortunately, much of the time, accessibility is an afterthought and features need to be 'retro-fitted’ or adapted to ensure compliance.”

The Lion’s Club International is also involved this year, as well as corporate sponsors such as Goliger’s Travel Plus, Worldsource Financial Management and the UPS Store.

CNIB Night Steps gets underway at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, starting from and concluding at the Southshore Community Centre. 

Learn more about the event here


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Glenn Wilkins

About the Author: Glenn Wilkins

Glenn Wilkins, in a 30-year media career, has written for print and electronic media, as well as for TV and radio. Glenn has two books under his belt, profiling Canadian actors on Broadway and NHL coaches.
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