- Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
BOSTON — More than 200 consumers, their families and friends, community partners, stakeholders, advocates, and lawmakers filled the Massachusetts State House's Great Hall on Friday, October 13, 2023, to celebrate White Cane Awareness Day with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.
Hosted by Orientation and Mobility Director Ally Bull, Commissioner John Oliveira opened the event followed by Secretary Walsh reading the Governor’s proclamation. Senator Robyn Kennedy and Representative Jay Livingstone, co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, talked about making our communities safer, more accessible, and welcoming to all. Kyle Robidoux, a tireless advocate who has focused his professional and personal career on building community, delivered the keynote speech, followed by the presentation of the 3rd annual Meg Robertson Mobility Award. The youth recipient, Nikolas Hourican, was surprised by Beverly Mayor Michael Cahill who attended the event and announced October 13, 2023, as Nikolas Hourican Day in the City of Beverly.
MCB also presented Certificates of Appreciation to Nicole Spriggs at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and Jerry Kelleher at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) who help promote white cane awareness throughout October on MassDOT billboards across the Commonwealth and a public service announcement on the monitors at RMV Service Centers.
Listen to an audio recording of the event courtesy of Talking Information Center.
The photograph is courtesy of Charlotte Tuminelli.
