WHITE CANE DAY ALABAMA
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White Cane Day Logo, White Cane Day 10th Anniversary Celebration a w in quotes made out of a white cane, and drawing of the Birmingham and the word Birmingham underneath
October 15, 20221
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Alys Stephen Center

Brought to you by:

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services Logo logo
AIDB Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Deaf Blind Limitless logo

Event Program

Begins at 2:00 PM

Introduction

Welcome ••• Ashley Townsend, Assistant Commissioner, Blind & Deaf Services, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
Pledge of Allegiance ••• Students Alabama School for the Blind
National Anthem ••• Jill Rossiter, Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
Prayer ••• Pastor Howard Lee III, Church of the Glorious Light

White Cane Awareness

History of the White Cane ••• Dr. John McCallister, Coordinator Blind & Low Vision Studies, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
City Proclamation ••• Denise Bell, Director, Department of Capital Improvements
State Proclamation ••• Graham Sisson, Assistant Attorney General, Governor’s Office of Disability
ADRS Charge ••• Jane Elizabeth Burdeshaw, Commissioner, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
AIDB Charge ••• Dr. John Mascia, President, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind

Award Ceremony

Musical Performance ••• Rachel Hyche, Singer, Songwriter
Living Historian (Stevie Wonder) ••• Daymion Winfrey, Alabama School for the Blind
Alabama Vision Award ••• Presented by Kellee Sanchez, COMS, ADRS
Living Historian (Helen Keller) ••• Tinsley Andrews, Alabama School for the Blind
Alabama Vision Award ••• Presented by Bill Adams, COMS, ADRS
Living Historian (Erik Wehmeyer) ••• Zachary Glasgow, Alabama School for the Blind
Alabama Vision Award ••• Presented by Melody Brown, COMS, AIDB
Living Historian (Mystery Guest) ••• Rin Pollard, Alabama School for the Blind
Alabama Vision Award ••• Presented by Yolanda Smith, COMS, VA-SBRC
Musical Performance ••• David Crenshaw, Singer, Songwriter

Closing

Be sure to visit all our vendor booths in the lobby.
3:30pm-5:00pm

Special Thanks:

GOLD SPONSORS
​International Retinal Research Foundation
UAB Callahan Eye Clinic
SILVER SPONSORS
Sightsavers
OASIS
BRONZE SPONSORS
Alabama Council of the Blind
Alabama Optometric Association
Ambutech
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired ~ Alabama Chapter
ASB Alumni & Workers Association
Eschenbach
The Eyesight Foundation of Alabama
The Greater Birmingham Council of the Blind
National Federation of the Blind, Alabama
Sixth Avenue Baptist Church

Thank you to all our volunteers

​Alabama Vision Achievement Awards

The AVA Awards acknowledge professionals in the field of blindness
and low vision for their extraordinary efforts, along with promoting the
notable achievements of those individuals and organizations that have
improved the quality of life for people with blindness.

The AVA Jesse D. Smith Legacy Award was established to honor an Orientation and Mobility Specialist (O&M).
Recipient: Jesse D. Smith

The AVA Joe Helms Legacy Award honors an outstanding vision professional.
Recipient: Joe Helms

The AVA Mary Jean Sanspree Legacy Award was established to honor a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment (TVI).
Recipient: Dr. Mary Jean Sanspree

The AVA True Peer Camaraderie and Empowerment Award was created to recognize those that provide knowledge, experience, and emotional, social, or practical help to their peers as they journey through vision loss.
OASIS Recipient: Ken Osbourn
VR Recipient: Dorrion D. Gamble

The AVA Advocacy Group of the Year Award honors those individuals or groups that bring awareness and break social barriers for visually impaired and blind persons.
Recipient: VIBS – Visually Impaired And Blind Society

The AVA VI Community Support Group of the Year Award honors professionals and volunteers who provide innovative support to improve the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired.
Recipient: UAB Connections

The AVA Student/Client of the Year Award honors an extraordinary individual who has completed ASB or Vocational Rehabilitation training.
Recipient: Dr. Steve Condrey

The AVA Creative Muse Award honors those individuals or groups with creativity and distinction in the arts while serving as role models for the blind and low-vision community.
Recipients: Dave Crenshaw and David Hughes

The AVA Distinction in the Field of Blindness and Visual Impairment Legacy was established for a person or group who has made outstanding contributions to the field of blindness by excelling in their professional accomplishments and community engagement while providing equal opportunities for the blind and visually impaired and serving as mentors to others.
Recipient: Deborah Wells

The AVA Ocular Health Award was established to honor individuals or groups that provide examination and assessment while providing compassion, motivation, and support to their patients and team.
Recipient: Dr. Marissa K. Locy, O.D.

The AVA VI Research Award honors those whose leadership and dedication illuminate the most pressing needs of people with vision loss through timely, innovative, and authoritative research.
Recipient: Lei Liu, Ph.D., UAB School of Optometry

October 2025 - Decatur


Telephone

205-933-8101 x336997

Email

[email protected]
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