On Friday, Oct. 14 students with visual impairments from Dallas ISD participated in a “White Cane Safety Day” celebration awareness event at Region 10 Educational Service Center along with other districts in the area. Students began by decorating their white cane with stickers, colored tape and beads strung on ribbon. Students also enjoyed the opportunity to meet and interact with other students with visual impairments. Students proceeded to parade through a balloon arch and an arch of white canes held by volunteers. Students walked from Spring Valley Region 10 site to the Abrams Region 10 site and back. Students were provided with lunch. After lunch, students participated in several challenge activities based on their cane skills. All students received a backpack, White Cane Day T-shirt, book, and sensory items to commemorate the day.
What is White Cane Day? The President of the United States annually recognizes White Cane Day by the Blind Americans Equality Day Proclamation on Oct. 15 to acknowledge the abilities of people who are blind and to promote equal opportunities as any other American.
Mission of White Cane Day The mission of White Cane Day is to educate the world about blindness and how the blind and visually impaired can live and work independently while giving back to their communities to celebrate the abilities and successes achieved by blind people in a sighted world and to honor the many contributions being made by the blind and visually impaired.
Dallas Independent School District has approximately 30 blind and visually impaired students that utilize the cane as a tool of independence at school and in the community. The students are located at different campuses throughout the district. More information on the district’s vision program can be found on the Special Services website.
