White Cane Awareness Day

Established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, White Cane Awareness Day commemorates the state and federal laws requiring motorists to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog. This day and the events hosted around the country, serve to educate all about the traffic laws and importance of the white cane and its users. Additionally, White Cane Awareness Day celebrates the achievements, freedom, and independence of blind and visually impaired people.

Today, Florida’s White Cane Law states that if a mobility-impaired person (using a service animal, a walker, a crutch, an orthopedic can, or a wheelchair), is in the process of crossing a roadway at an intersection, a driver approaching the intersection must stop before arriving at the intersection and take reasonable precautions to avoid injuring such a pedestrian.

To coincide with the observance White Cane Awareness Day, the Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center is hosting White Cane Awareness Events in Highlands, Manatee and Sarasota Counties during the month of October. The public, our clients, their families and friends are invited to participate at one or all events to promote White Cane Awareness Day and to recognize the white cane as a tool of independence for blind and visually impaired pedestrians in our communities. Clients are encouraged to bring their white canes.

To learn more about the White Cane Awareness events please contact us at 941-359-1404.