The Rotary clubs of Penetanguishene and Midland will welcome Onley as guest speaker at a civic luncheon July 7. The North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre will host the noon event.

Sworn in as lieutenant-governor on Sept. 5, 2007, Onley has been outspoken about issues affecting the disabled, including obstacles to employment and housing.

Onley himself was partially paralyzed from the neck down at age three by polio, and uses leg braces, a cane and a motorized scooter to get around.

He went on to a successful 22-year career with Citytv, where he was Canada's first senior newscaster with a visible disability.

Tickets for his Midland engagement are limited and must be bought in advance. They are available at BMO Bank of Montreal, Ferguson Barristers, and Hacker Gignac and Rice, as well as the Penetanguishene Scotiabank branch.