Central Illinois Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Did you know the red and white cane (the internationally recognized symbol for someone who is blind or visually impaired) was first created in Peoria in 1931 by Elmer Thomson?
Thomson was the president of the Association of the Blind in Peoria and succeeded with an experiment to see which combination of colored canes would alert drivers at intersections that someone was visually impaired. Today, the Central Illinois Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides these canes to those in need. For this reason and so many more, they are one of the local charities supported by the Steamboat Classic Presented by PNC this year.
The Center’s mission is to help teach the blind and visually impaired in Peoria the skills they need for independent living through education programs, social events, and transportation. Their white cane clinic provides participants with a cane and teaches them essential skills, like how to navigate indoor and outdoor environments, to greatly improve their independence and ability to engage in life. They also build community among the blind and visually impaired by hosting lunches and dinners throughout the month, taking field trips to concerts, plays, and parks, and playing games in braille or large print.
You can learn more about their great work through their website, and we invite you to join us in supporting their cause when you register for the 2025 Steamboat Classic.
