Celebrate International White Cane Safety Day

The white cane is a symbol of independence - it allows a person who is legally blind to travel independently. In 1931, Lions Clubs began promoting the use of white canes for people who are blind as a national identification program.

All states and many other countries have White Cane laws, which allow pedestrians who are legally blind the right of way at street crossings. Massachusetts White Cane Law states that all motorists, upon seeing a pedestrian who uses a dog guide or white cane at a street crossing, must come to a complete stop.

Governor Deval Patrick issued a formal proclamation on October 15 restating Massachusetts’ commitment to White Cane Safety and rights for its citizens who are blind. Among those in attendance was Mass. Commissioner for the Blind Janet LaBreck, a Perkins alumna.

For Perkins, orientation and mobility training is a key component of education and training on campus, in the community and around the world. If you are interested in finding more information about orientation and mobility for people who are visually impaired, visit our Information Clearinghouse on Blindness and Visual Impairment.

In recognition of White Cane Safety Day, here are a few guidelines from the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind regarding how to interact with someone who is blind or visually impaired.

• Identify yourself when you come in to a room and let the person know when you are leaving a room or location.  
  
  
• When you speak about someone with a disability, refer to the person and then to the disability. For example, refer to "a person who is blind" rather than to "a blind person."
  
  
• If a friend, relative, or stranger on the street is traveling with a dog guide, do not pet the dog, offer it food, or distract it in any way while it is working. Dog guides are not pets but highly trained mobility tools.