Blind Youth Programs
Courage Canada’s 2011 Programs
Courage Canada continues to implement Learn to Skate programs for blind youth in regions all across Canada. Our organization works collaboratively with District School Board Vision Programs to provide blind youth with the opportunity to experience ice skating with other blind youth from their community. These learn-to-Skate programs take place on a monthly basis and provide these youth with the chance to interact with other youth who share a common, unique situation.
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Canadian Blind Hockey
Information About The Sport
The commonly used term “blind hockey” can be a little misleading to the general public as most blind hockey players have some functional vision. The sport is played by athletes with visual impairments ranging from legally blind – approximately 10% vision or less – to fully blind. Traditionally athletes with the most functional vision play forward as they are able to make and receive passes, as well as locate the net for shots. Lower vision athletes and totally blind skaters tend to play defense where they can focus on interrupting the play and clearing the puck aside where a teammate with more vision can pick it up and skate it out of danger. Although it sounds counterintuitive, the players with the least vision or no vision play goalie as they do not need to orient themselves while skating around. The French term for the sport – “Hockey Sonore” or Sonar Hockey – provides a better description of the sport as it outlines the key modification – the puck makes noise!
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Scholarship Program
An Annual Scholarship awarded by Courage Canada
The National Courage Canada Scholarship is currently awarded annually to one secondary school graduating blind student in Canada looking to further their education. The award is valued at $1,000 and is non-renewable.
The following are a set of rules and regulations pertaining to the criteria of the award:
- The student must be blind/visually-impaired.
- The student must have demonstrated excellence in all aspects of his or her secondary school experience from academics, athletics, extra-curricular activities and community volunteering while showing courage and leadership.
- The student is chosen by his or her school’s administration.
- The student must be continuing their education to the College, University or Apprenticeship Level.
- The student must put the financial bursary towards his or her post-secondary education tuition.
