The Alabama Institute for the Deaf & Blind, in partnership with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, hosted the 10th anniversary White Cane Day Alabama celebration over the weekend on October 15, 2022, at the Alys Stephens Center. White Cane Day is an observance that brings attention to the abilities and achievements of the blind and visually impaired community, using the white cane as a symbol of accessibility and independence.
Molly Cox-Whitney, MS, LPC, Director Laura Dreer, PhD, and Brooke Bailey with UAB Connections.
Jason Vice, OTR/L, SCLV, with the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation

Musician David Crenshaw performed at the event, as did Julius Love of the Blind Boys of Alabama. Additionally, students from the Alabama School for the Blind performed as living historians, providing first-person information on the lives and accomplishments of Stevie Wonder, Helen Keller, and Erik Weihenmayer.

The 10th annual White Cane Day in Alabama launched the Alabama Vision Achievement Awards, a new set of awards that recognize the accomplishments of individuals who are blind or have low vision and professionals who have made strides to further accessibility for the community. Two UAB Callahan Eye groups were honored with one of these awards - UAB Connections and the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation.

UAB Connections is a support group that offers innovative, state-of-the-art services funded by the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama. The group provides services and support to Alabamians living with vision impairments as well as their family and friends to foster healthy lifestyles and a sense of community. Staff also provide eye health education training to organizations and businesses in the community that want to learn more about eye health and vision or wish to adapt their services for greater accessibility. The group is directed by Laura Dreer, Ph.D., director of psychological and neuropsychology clinical research services at UAB Callahan Eye, and aided by Molly Cox-Whitney, MS, LPC.

The UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation is an outpatient, low-vision rehabilitation program that uses optometry and occupational therapy to help adults and children who have difficulty completing daily activities because of vision impairment from eye diseases and conditions or brain injury. Their team of optometry and occupational therapy low vision specialists provide several services to empower patients to complete the daily activities that bring value and well-being to their lives and help them feel fulfilled and productive. Dawn DeCarlo, O.D., Ph.D., MS, MSPH, is the director of the center and a professor in the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UAB.