Although traveling aides for the blind such as canes, staffs, and sticks have existed for a very long time, white canes, which became a symbol used by the blind to alert others, did not emerge until the 20th century.
Annual observance of White Cane Safety Day occurs on October 15. It’s a day dedicated to those with visual impairments. The white cane serves as a symbol of their independence and their extraordinary accomplishments.
Although traveling aides for the blind such as canes, staffs, and sticks have existed for a very long time, white canes, which became a symbol used by the blind to alert others, did not emerge until the 20th century.
James Biggs, a photographer hailing from Bristol, is purportedly credited with originating the notion of white canes. Blindness was the consequence of an accident that occurred in 1921 involving Biggs. During that time period, as the volume of traffic increased, Biggs made the decision to paint his cane white to enhance its visibility to both motorists and fellow pedestrians.
In France, musician and author Guilly d’Herbemont initiated the National White Stick Movement, an initiative for the blind. She distributed white canes to numerous impaired individuals in France, including veterans of World War I. Likewise, this was positively received in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom proposed that blind individuals be provided with white canes, which would be universally recognized as a sign that the individual carrying it was blind.
Lions Clubs International was the entity in the United States that first proposed the provision of white canes to individuals who were blind. The lengthy white canes served not only as a means of identification but also as a means of transportation for the war veterans.
A joint resolution was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and the U.S. Congress on October 6, 1964, designating October 15 as White Cane Safety Day annually.
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities
National Mushroom Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities
A pedestrian who is visually impaired and using a guide dog or white cane has precedence.
It is inappropriate to honk your siren at a blind person, as they would be unable to discern the source of the sound and could potentially experience alarm due to the volume.
It is mandatory to come to a complete halt before approaching a pedestrian with a white cane or mobility device within a distance of 10 feet.
The act of carrying a white cane without being completely or partially blind is a criminal offense.
I.D. canes are designed for individuals with impaired vision, support canes are intended for mobility, and standard canes are utilized for navigation.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | October 15 | Sunday |
| 2024 | October 15 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | October 15 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | October 15 | Thursday |
| 2027 | October 15 | Friday |
Colorado will send out 2025 stimulus refunds through its TABOR program. Payments depend on income,…
The VA claim exam helps decide if a veteran’s condition is service-connected and how severe…
If you have a Premium subscription you’ll get ad-free streaming, offline downloads (on supported devices),…
Social Security payments on November 19, 2025 go only to retirees born between the 11th…
SNAP Use in America: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, called SNAP, helps millions of Americans…
California plans to revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants after finding mismatched expiration…