Aug. 23, 2006

The Library of Michigan and the Library of Michigan Foundation, in partnership with the Lions Club District 11-C2, present a Vision Disability Awareness Day on Sunday, Sept. 10.  This free event takes place from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Michigan Library and Historical Center in downtown Lansing.

"We want people to realize that there are a lot of resources available to assist those who suddenly, or not so suddenly, lose their vision," said Sue Chinault, manager of the Library of Michigan's Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.  "Information and activities for all ages make this a fun family outing!"

The Vision Disability Awareness Day will feature a variety of presentations, displays and activities, including:

• The Kids on the Block puppet show
• Leader dog puppies in training
• Magician Dr. Ken Salzman
• The opportunity to have your name typed in Braille
• Talking books and talking computers
• The chance to learn how to play Braille Monopoly
• Instruction on how to guide people who are blind
• Free vision screening for children ages 1 to 5 (parental permission required)
• For younger children - snacks, face painting, balloon animals, coloring and special demonstrations by the Lions Air Force
• Special tours of the Library of Michigan's Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (SBPH) facilities
• Informational displays by Lions-sponsored programs, National Federation of the Blind Newsline, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Michigan Eye-Bank, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will also participate in special programs about disability awareness.  Due to limited space, the scout programs require pre-registration.

Vision Disability Awareness Day is sponsored by the Capital Region Community Foundation.

For more information about the Vision Disability Awareness Day, please contact Sue Chinault at (517) 373-5353.

The Michigan Library and Historical Center is located at 702 W. Kalamazoo St., two blocks west of the State Capitol in downtown Lansing. The main entrance and visitor parking are located north of Kalamazoo Street, just east of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Weekend parking is free.

The Library of Michigan Foundation, established in 1985, raises funds to support special programs, services and collections of the Library of Michigan.  For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/lmfoundation.

The Library of Michigan - Michigan's official state library agency for more than 175 years - is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.  Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center.  To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

The Lions Club District 11-C2 is part of the Lions of Michigan, a volunteer organization dedicated to leadership development through community service.  For more information, visit www.district11c2.org.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).