October 15th is White Cane Awareness Day

White Cane Safety Day or White Cane Awareness Day, October 15, was established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson in an effort to raise awareness of people who carry a white cane according to the Braille Institute.

Orlando VA program helps veterans with vision loss regain independence

By Isaac Abdelmessih

ORLANDO, Fla. - Oct. 15th is regarded as “White Cane Awareness Day” around the United States. Introduced in the 1930s, white canes assist visually impaired pedestrians to travel independently, according to the Braille Institute.

▶ LISTEN TO ORLANDO’S MORNING NEWS EXPRESS PODCAST ON WDBO

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 706,000 to 1 million people are blind in the United States.

READ: ‘The Blind Experience’ sheds light on struggles of the blind and visually impaired

The White Cane law, which applies to all 50 states, protects and affirms the use of a white cane according to the National Federation of the Blind.

“A totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a predominately white cane (with or without a red tip), or using a guide dog, shall have the right-of-way,” the law states. “The driver of any vehicle approaching this pedestrian, who fails to yield the right-of-way, or to take all responsibility necessary precautions to avoid injury to this blind pedestrian, is guilty of a misdemeanor.”

White canes help motorists identify and yield to people who are visually impaired. Their use has been protected by law in the United States since that time. The day also recognizes guide dogs.

READ: Learn about what service dogs can do, and what it takes to certify and protect them

On White Cane Awareness Day, and throughout Blind Equality Achievement Month, members of the NFB conduct activities in their local communities such as white cane walks, film screenings, and social events according to the federation. The organization lists some activities in recognition of the day:

  • Work with a chapter or state president to get the word out about the event.
  • Order materials like brochures and Braille alphabet cards through the Independence Market.
  • Email communications@nfb.org for information about using the NFB logo and other branding questions.
  • Email an activity or event details to web@nfb.org so that the NFB can feature them on its website.
  • Connect with the NFB on social media (Facebook and Twitter) using the hashtag #BlindMonth.

Veterans Affairs published a flyer in recognition of the day in addition to other national organizations spreading awareness about white canes.

White Cane Safety Day (Veterans Affairs)

Click here to download our free news, weather and traffic app. And click here to subscribe to our daily 3 Big Things newsletter.