The White Cane Law by Annette Beachy, Volunteer
On October 15th, America celebrated White Cane Safety Day - a result of a 1964 United States Congress resolution. Even though October has come and gone, recognizing the significance of the White Cane and the White Cane Law should be a 365 day a year occurrence.
Drivers are reminded to always yield to pedestrians with visual disabilities who are crossing a public street or highway, and to allw at least 10 feet for their passage. Pedestrians with visual disabilities usually carry a white cane and/or are aided by a guide dog.
Many states have instituted a White Cane Law in the recent past, buth nothing has been implemented on the national scale. Virginia says a person with a white cane should be treated like a stopped school bus with their blinkers on - stop and wait for the person to cross the street.
A white cane is both a symbol and a tool for a people who are blind or visually impaired. As a symbol it indicates to others that the people using them either cannot see or cannot see well. As a tool, it allows users to move about with confidence as they determine the literal ups and downs as well as blockages to travel in their environment.
from Fall 2006 Newsletter
by Annette Beachy, Volunteer
