by Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 22/97) - Canadian National Institute for the Blind's regional director Murray Corey says a strategy started three years ago has successfully broadened the organization's reach across the North.

The strategy links the CNIB with local care-givers. It means the Yellowknife office, run by one individual, can identify more of the territory's visually impaired.

"The strategy is opening up new doors and creating new partnerships," said Corey.

Since the new approach, client numbers have grown to 200 from 140, a 43 per cent increase. Ten years ago, there were about 50 clients.

"We don't actually know for sure (how many people in the NWT are visually impaired)," he said. "The longer we're here, the more people we become aware of."

About 10 per cent of the 200 region's clients are children. About 65 per cent are seniors. There's a slightly higher incidence of accident-related visual impairment. And retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is more prevalent, says Corey.

RP, a common cause of blindness, is a group of hereditary degenerative retina diseases.

The CNIB's NWT regional office has been Yellowknife-based for a decade. Previously, services were offered out of the CNIB's Edmonton regional office.

Corey, who left the Yellowknife office Thursday, will continue with the CNIB in Edmonton.

"I've enjoyed serving the CNIB's clients in the NWT. Clients with diverse cultural backgrounds," he says.

The new regional director is Christina Vernon.

Vernon, previously employed with the Yellowknife Association for Community Living, says she hopes to continue the office's efforts to reach more of the NWT's visually impaired.