TORONTO, Sept. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - CNIB presented Frances Cutler with the Arthur Napier Magill Distinguished Service Award, in recognition of her outstanding accomplishment in service to Canadians who are blind or partially sighted, at the organization's Annual General Meeting held on September 7, 2013 at the CNIB Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
Cutler has been an advisor to CNIB for thirty years at both the national and local level. The first woman with vision loss to serve as Chair of the National Board of Directors (2000-2003), she has long championed the cause of improving services for Canadians who are blind or partially sighted.
Under Cutler's strong leadership the construction on CNIB's national headquarters in Toronto was started and the CNIB Library began their transition to an entirely digital platform.
"Fran has been a pioneer for change in the lives of Canadians who are blind, deafblind and partially sighted," says Jane Beaumont, Chair, CNIB National Board of Directors. "Her hard work and leadership in important advocacy initiatives has left a lasting impression on the CNIB community, and led to remarkable strides in making Canada accessible for all."
As a senior volunteer she has represented CNIB on federal government advisory committees; spoken on living and thriving with vision loss at conferences in Canada, the USA, Germany and Australia; met with politicians including members of parliament and senators to advocate for library service funding for people with disabilities; and in 2011 she worked with Elections Canada, Census Canada, and Elections Ontario
In July 2013, Fran was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada - the country's highest civilian honour - in recognition of her decades of service to the vision loss community.
About the Arthur Napier Magill Award
In 1976, CNIB established the Arthur Napier Magill Distinguished Service Award as a tribute to Arthur Magill, who dedicated his long and distinguished career to improving the lives of Canadians who are deafblind or living with vision loss. The award recognizes a CNIB volunteer for his/her contribution towards CNIB's fulfillment of its mission to enhance the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted. For more information, visit cnib.ca/napier.
About CNIB
CNIB is a registered charity, passionately providing community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life. To learn more, visit cnib.ca or call the toll-free CNIB Helpline at 1-800-563-2642
Image with caption: "From left: John Magill (Honourary Chair, Arthur Napier Magill Distinguished Service Award Committee); Fran Cutler; Sam Fulton (Director, CNIB National Board); Jane Beaumont (Chair, CNIB National Board) (CNW Group/CNIB)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130910_C5781_PHOTO_EN_30597.jpg
SOURCE: CNIB
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