UCP of Western Mass to Celebrate National White Cane Day

01:52PM / Saturday, October 11, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — UCP of Western Massachusetts will host a community celebration for National White Cane Day on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Courtyard at 75 South Church Street in Pittsfield.

This annual observance recognizes the importance of the white cane as a symbol of independence for people who are blind or visually impaired and raises awareness about accessibility, mobility, and inclusion.

The event will feature:

Official Mayoral Proclamation by Mayor Marchetti declaring Oct. 15 as White Cane Day in Pittsfield.
White Cane Challenge Course, giving sighted participants the chance to experience navigating everyday activities with a cane while blindfolded with a spotter person.
UCP's Assistive Technology department will have a demonstration of "Try It Stations" so that visual users can experience limited or low vision through technology. The department will have other practical devices for the low-vision community.

"White Cane Day is both a celebration of independence and an opportunity for education," said Randy Kinnas, CEO of UCP of Western Massachusetts. "By inviting the public to participate in activities and conversations, we hope to build understanding and strengthen our commitment to accessibility and inclusion in our community."

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information & to RSVP, contact Liz Irwin at 413-442-1562 x 122, Eirwin@ucpwma.org or visit www.UCPWMA.org.

In case for inclement weather, we will hold the event inside 75 South Church St. (the Clocktower Building)

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Save & Earn with Greylock

3.30% APY 6-month certificate. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to restructure the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

View Full Story