White Cane Safety Day – a celebration holiday of the achievement of people who are blind or visually impaired and the importance of the symbol of blindness the white cane. #WhiteCaneSafetyDay
White Cane Safety Day
The white cane usually has a red tip and is used to help blind and visually impaired people the ability to walk and feel around for their next step.
This day is held annually on October 15. It has been celebrated since 1964. Where a joint resolution of the United States Congress H.R. 753 was signed into law as Pub.L.88-628 on October 6, 1964 and codified at 36 USC § 142. It was this resolution that authorized the President of the United States to proclaim October 15th, White Cane Safety Day annually.
White Cane Awareness Day is our way of emphasizing the critical role that this tool plays in living the lives we want and informing the public about its true significance. —
NFB (National Federation of the Blind) President Mark A. Riccobono
How White Canes Work
We use our senses of hearing and touch to explore and understand the world around us. The white cane, in effect, makes our hands and arms longer, so that we can assess the situation, and move quickly and confidently. The white cane allows us to avoid obstacles, find steps and curbs, locate and step over cracks or uneven places in the sidewalk, find doorways, get into cars and buses, and much more. (NFB)
AGT 2019 had two blind contestants … Kodi Lee and Robert Finley, who both used their white safety cane.
First published October 14, 2019. Last updated or republished October 14, 2020.
About the Author
