White Cane Safety Day (White Cane Day)

White Cane Safety Day is a national observance in the United States, celebrated on Oct. 15 of each year since 1964. Then President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill that created the special day. The date is set aside to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence, the white cane.

Inspired by National White Cane Day, the award is the first in what will become an annual event, recognizing public agencies and businesses for their work in enhancing the lives of those blind, deaf/blind, or visually impaired.

The President of the United States annually recognizes White Cane Day by the Blind Americans Equality Day Proclamation on October 15th to acknowledge the abilities of people who are blind and to promote equal opportunities as any other American.

The mission of White Cane Day is to educate the world about blindness and how the blind and visually impaired can live and work independently while giving back to their communities, to celebrate the abilities and successes achieved by blind people in a sighted world and to honor the many contributions being made by the blind and visually impaired.

Source: acb.org | whitecaneday.org