Carleton's READ Initiative to Hold Parasport Festival and Charity Wheelchair Basketball Game

Paralympic medallist Jason Dunkerley onsite at Parasport Festival

OTTAWA, Oct. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Carleton University's Research, Education, Accessibility and Design (READ) Initiative is holding a Parasport Festival, in partnership with the Canadian Paralympic Committee, on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Fieldhouse. The festival will bring together representatives from local parasport clubs and will offer attendees of all abilities the opportunity to try various parasports and get involved as an athlete, coach or volunteer.

Media and Parasport Festival participants will have the chance to meet Ottawa's own Jason Dunkerley, a silver and bronze medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games in para-athletics.

That evening, the READ Initiative is hosting an Ontario-Quebec wheelchair basketball game. All funds raised through ticket sales will support CanUgan, an organization that provides hand-propelled bicycles to individuals with disabilities in Uganda.

What: Parasport Festival - Parasports include: Sailing, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Tennis, Para-athletics, Wheelchair Curling, Triathlon, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Rugby, Para-Nordic, Boccia, and Archery.
When: Oct. 9, 2012 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Carleton University Fieldhouse
Registration: Come by or pre-register by sending an email to: Laura Ferris, co-ordinator of recruitment program support, [e-mail]. 
Cost: Free

What: Ontario-Quebec wheelchair basketball game
When: Oct. 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Ravens' Nest
Cost: $10

About READ
The Paul Menton Centre, working co-operatively with faculty members from a variety of disciplines, has successfully launched a new entity at Carleton called the READ Initiative. With an emphasis on fostering accessible design, READ brings together expertise from the Carleton community and beyond to develop innovative ways to create a more inclusive society.

Visit the READ Initiative web site at www5.carleton.ca/read
or visit their Facebook page at: Facebook.com/CUREADInitiative.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee
The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 46 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations.

SOURCE: CANADIAN PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE (CPC)

For further information:

Steven Reid
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
[phone], ext. 8718
[phone]
[e-mail]

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Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: [phone] ext. 243
Cell: 613-298-4927
[e-mail]

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