White Cane Safety Awareness Day celebration October 14, 2016
Chittenden County will celebrate the 52nd annual White Cane Safety Awareness Day on Friday, October 14 in Burlington. The Vermont Division for the Blind & Visually Impaired is sponsoring the event.
The white cane is a symbol of strength and independence for blind and visually impaired people. This year’s celebration, which begins at 12:30 p.m. at Battery Park in Burlington, will include an experiential walk. Participants of all ages and backgrounds will have the opportunity to use a white cane as they walk from Battery Park to Church Street, learning first-hand what it is like to make their way in the world as a blind or visually-impaired person. The walk will be followed by a reception at the Overlook Café at 108 Cherry St. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.
According to the American Council of the Blind, the white cane was first introduced in the United States in 1931 by a member of Lions Club International, after he saw an individual crossing a busy street with a black cane that seemed to be extremely difficult for motorists to notice. On October 6, 1964, Congress passed a joint resolution to grant the President of the United States the power to proclaim October 15th of each year as White Cane Safety Day. President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed the first White Cane Safety Day within hours of the passage of the resolution.
For more information about this year’s White Cane Day celebration in Burlington, contact: Taya Tarr, Vermont Division for the Blind & Visually Impaired, 802-863-7530 or[email protected]
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