1302 Dunmire Street                                                                                         Contact: Lindsay Pieler

Pensacola Fl. 32504                                                                                           Phone: 850 477-2663

www.ibwest.org                                                                                                     lindsay@ibwest.org

October 19, 2007                                                                                               For immediate release               

Police Chief John W. Mathis and Debbie Ritchie Cross Palafox Street Blindfolded

            Pensacola Police Chief John W. Mathis and Debbie Ritchie crossed the intersection of Palafox and Cedar Street Wednesday afternoon to help raise awareness for White Cane Safety Day and non-profit organization Independence for the Blind of West Florida (IB West).  Sara Rhodes, a Certified Orientation and Mobility Instructor with IB West, helped guide them through the intersection using a white cane while blindfolded to give them firsthand experience of what blind and visually impaired pedestrians go through on a daily basis.

            IB West’s first annual White Cane Awareness Day Luncheon was held at New World Landing, where honored guests included Chief Mathis, Ms. Ritchie, Deputy Mayor John Jerralds, and speaker Nick Dotson, who is a blind local businessman.  Informational tables were set up by Blinded Veterans Association, Division of Blind Services, IB West, Emerald Coast Vision Aids, and South Eastern Guide Dogs for guests to visit before the event began.

Deputy Mayor Jerralds presented IB West’s Executive Director, Richard Burdess, with a Proclamation from Mayor John Fogg proclaiming October 17, 2007 White Cane Safety Day in Pensacola.  Mr. Dotson then gave a compelling explanation of the origin of white canes and why raising awareness of white cane laws are so important. Mr. Dotson also brought up the alarming fact that many blind pedestrians are killed each year after being struck by an automobile. 

Ms. Rhodes and IB West’s Computer Instructor, Peter Feysa, gave brief descriptions of the correct way to help guide a blind person either with a dog, white cane, or by sighted guide.  The crowd then walked from the New World Landing’s Spanish room to the intersection of Palafox and Cedar to watch Chief Mathis and Ms. Ritchie take turns crossing the street blindfolded using a white cane.  Chief Mathis and Ms. Ritchie both stated that they were feeling very apprehensive before beginning their blindfolded walk.

Independence for the Blind of West Florida remains the only nonprofit solely devoted to educating the blind and visually impaired in West Florida.  Our mission is to teach independent living skills, computer and adaptive technology, and to provide vocational training and employment-related services to people who are blind or visually impaired so they can achieve maximum independence.

For more information on IB West or White Cane Awareness, please visit the website at www.ibwest.org or contact their office at 850-477-2663.

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