Braille Rallye 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

MEDIA ADVISORY

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind’s Braille Rallye Pairs MG Car Drivers with Visually Impaired Guides

M.G. Car Club Sponsors 49th Annual Braille Rallye

Who: Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB), a local nonprofit organization that provides job opportunities and services to individuals who are visually impaired, in partnership with the M.G. Car Club of Washington, D.C.

What: The Braille Rallye allows children and adults who are blind or visually impaired to participate in a rallye, a motor race that emphasizes navigation and timekeeping. Participants who are blind or visually impaired are the navigators on the two-person teams. The directions and descriptions of the landmarks that dot the course are written in Braille or large print, so participants must work as a team to complete the course. Competitors are divided into four categories based upon age, experience and reading ability. Judging is based upon how well each team follows the course.

When: Saturday, July 16 10 am – 1:30 pm

10 am -11:15 am: Rallye

11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Picnic

12:30 – end: Awards Ceremony

Where: Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, Virginia

Why: CLB regularly partners with local community groups to provide fun activities for

its consumers. The activities are designed to promote independence.

Media note: Reporters, camera crews and photographers are welcome. To arrange interviews, photo opportunities or a “ride-along” with a rallye crew, please contact Jocelyn Hunter at 202-454-6422 (office) jhunter@clb.org.

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About Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind

CLB serves blind and visually impaired people of all ages in the Washington area with vision-health screenings, adaptive devices, support groups, retraining, and job counseling and placement.

17% of veterans are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with visual impairment. CLB partners with government and private agencies to retrain and employ these wounded warriors. For more information, please visit www.www.clb.org.

Braille Rallye 2011