As covered in previous Bulletins, White Cane Day is celebrated each year on October 15th to recognize the accomplishments of people who are blind or visually impaired along with the white cane as a tool of independence and of blindness. Since 1964, U.S. presidents have issued a proclamation in honor of White Cane Day and, in 2011, it also became known as Blind Americans Equality Day. White Cane Day events are being held across the nation to mark the occasion. Here are two that are available virtually (in addition to those already mentioned in recent Bulletins):
Tonight, October 14, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET (10 am on October 15, 2022 in Australia), celebrate International White Cane Day at WhiteStickFest. This free, virtual concert features more than 20 musical performers, including artists who are blind, have low vision, or are sighted and come from across the world. Among the musicians: Blind Joe, a country singer and “charismatic stage presence” from the U.S.; Connor Wink, singer, acoustic guitar player, and Disability Pride Festival performer from Australia; and Cobhams Asuquo, internationally renowned singer-songwriter and UNICEF Ambassador from Nigeria, to name a few. WhiteStickFest is presented in partnership with the Foundation Fighting Blindness. For more information, visit WHITESTICKFEST: Celebrating International White Cane Day-15th October 2022. To join in the event live, go to the Facebook event link or tune in at WhiteStickFest.org.
Tomorrow, October 15, 2022 at 5 pm ET, the Annual White Cane Safety Day program will be presented by the Downstate New York ADAPT Transportation Equity Working Group and Accessibility Working Group. Those participating will learn about the history of the white cane, significance of this designated day, as well as how people use a white cane to lead an independent life. To register, visit the Zoom link for White Cane Safety Day.
For more background information on White Cane Day/Blind Americans Equality Day, visit the Wikipedia page on White Cane Safety Day.
Happy White Cane Day!
