Blind Fishing Boat

Lawrence Euteneier has been registered as “blind” since the age of eight.

His determination and utilization of new-age technologies has made it possible for him to successfully complete a Masters in Environmental Studies at York University in Toronto, and to launch a successful career in Canada’s federal public service.

Lawrence has many other interests as well, including being a home-handyman and a committed father – as made evident in a recent TV home renovation show, Debbie Travis’ Facelift.

Lawrence’s prior groundbreaking work in the field of environmental integration for persons with disabilities has led to his receiving international recognition. For example, Lawrence developed the world’s first computer (Web-4-All) capable of automatically being configured to suit all unique user computer interface requirements. View a feature article about the Web-4-all project.

Lawrence’s efforts in breaking down barriers for people with disabilities has been recognized with a number of awards, one being the “Federal Public Servant Achievement of Excellence Award” in 2003.

Another being the Meritorious Service medal in 2006.

and a third being the First Lady of Taiwan Award in 2004.

Lawrence Euteneier served as the Access Technology Advisor to Canada’s Senate from 1997 to 2000. His work not only improved access for members of the public to the Senate itself, but improved the level of accessibility for both Senators with disabilities and those who work for the Senate.

Lawrence is also not a stranger to outdoor adventures, having participated in the first-ever canoe expedition from Toronto to Prince Edward Island. The trip covered over 1,700 km, and was organized by the 1st. Georgetown Venturers to attend the 1977 world Scout jamboree.

Lawrence lived and conducted research in Canada’s far north. With support from the Northern Studies Research Training Centre, Lawrence lived among Inuit and Native peoples where he documented their recollections of life with a disability prior to outside contact.

In 1990 Lawrence was invited to live and lecture in Sweden for one year. Lawrence spent the year traveling throughout the country documenting Swedish innovations for people with disabilities and lecturing on the Canadian experience. A report detailing Lawrence’s findings was submitted to York University’s Faculty of Environmental Studies, upon which Lawrence Received a Masters degree.

As a fisher from the time he could walk, Lawrence has owned and operated a number of boats, ranging from 10-foot skiffs to an 18-foot powerboat. Lawrence also goes fishing at every opportunity, recreationally and commercially, in both fresh and salt water. He has fished for Salmon and Trout in Ontario’s rivers, for shrimp on trawlers in the North Sea, Sword Fish in the South Pacific, King Fish in the Gulf of Mexico, and for Cod from wood Dories on Canada’s East coast. Lawrence developed the Blind Fishing Boat to fish small in-land bodies of water for sport fish such as Bass, Pike, Walleye and Musky.

In addition to fishing, Lawrence’s present hobbies include paddling competitively on a Dragon boat team made up of individuals with little or no sight.

And participating in a yearly celebrity/blind car race to raise funds for the training of guide dogs. Lawrence has finished 4th, 3rd twice, 2nd and 1st.