International White Cane Safety Day – 15 October

15 October 2014

International White Cane Safety Day – 15 October

International White Cane Safety Day is observed annually on 15 October, in recognition of the White Cane, the international symbol of blindness and independence.

When blind, deafblind or vision impaired vision individuals travel through their environment with a White Cane and are trained in its proper use, they can be fully mobile in society. Used around the world since the 1930’s, the White Cane is a tool used by blind people to navigate the environment. The White Cane provides a blind person with information such as different textures, sound clues and whether there are obstacles ahead. With a white cane even very young children can learn to safely make their way.

Making the world a safer place for those who use White Canes requires the cooperation of central and local government to ensure legislation is enacted to protect White Cane users in traffic. City streets need pedestrian footpaths so blind people are not forced to share the space with bicycles, cars and other vehicles. This is a part of the universal design guiding principles set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Born blind, Clive Lansink National President of the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand said “today is the blind community’s opportunity to remind society about the importance of the White Cane, what it means and, of the need to exercise simple courtesies when approaching a blind person.” He went on to say I have used a White Cane most of my life. It is a mobility tool that gives blind people the freedom to travel independently and safely without reliance on anyone else.”

Clive said “the number of blind pedestrians who have experienced near-misses, or been hit on controlled intersections when crossing, because motorists race to beat changing lights and fail to observe the pedestrian is using a White Cane, is significant. These motorists are breaking the law and potentially endangering the life of the blind pedestrian”.

As we celebrate White Cane Day Blind Citizens NZ calls upon central and local government to establish and implement standards for communities that will ensure universal access for all persons with disabilities. Blind Citizens NZ urges the public and society to recognise the rights of blind people and, in conjunction with International White Cane Safety Day asks that specific attention is given to: White Cane users, Cutting back low hanging branches, Removing obstacles from footpaths and, ensuring cars are not parked on or across footpaths (especially in driveways or entrances to buildings).

Founded in 1945, the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand Inc (Blind Citizens NZ) is New Zealand's leading blindness consumer organisation and one of the country's largest organisations of disabled consumers. Our aim is to heighten awareness of the rights of blind and vision impaired people and to remove the barriers that impact upon our ability to live in an accessible, equitable and inclusive society.

ENDS

© Scoop Media