what is meant by honour the white cane

What is meant by honour the white cane

Not everyone who is blind or visually impaired uses the traditional white cane to help them get around, but everyone with vision issues understands the powerful symbol of independence it represents. Johnson in

The following short history of the white cane was written by Philip Strong. Phil was an advocate at the ACB office for pedestrian safety. The white cane is not just a tool that can be used to achieve independence; it is also a symbol of the blind citizens in our society. To honor the many achievements of blind and visually impaired Americans and to recognize the white cane's significance in advancing independence, we observe October 15th of each year as "White Cane Safety Day". Today, the white cane works both, as a tool for the blind as well as a symbol, but this has not always been the case. Throughout history, the cane, staff, and stick have existed as traveling aids for the blind and visually impaired.

What is meant by honour the white cane

Published By: Nibandh Vinod. Trending Desk. Mumbai, India. World White Cane Day is observed to recognise the importance of blind people. Image: Shutterstock. For the unversed, the white cane is an important mobility tool that was mainly invented for blind people and has been in use for centuries now. With time, the tool has now become a support system for blind people, becoming a symbol of freedom, independence, and confidence for them as they are now capable of moving freely and doing their own daily tasks independently. With the use of a cane, blind people use their hearing and touching senses to understand the environment and carry out their tasks easily. Considering the significance that it holds, World White Cane Day is observed to recognise the importance of blind people, and their active participation in society and to celebrate independence. While sticks and canes were used by blind people for centuries, there was still a lack of trust that blind people could not travel on their own. It was finally in the s when the National Federation of the Blind NFB started a fight against the solution and for the independence of the blind people. Since then, the white cane has been considered to be an important mobility tool that also symbolises the independence of blind people. World White Cane Day holds major significance as it is observed to cherish the achievements of people who have won against physical limitations and gained independence from all the bars that came with their blindness. Canes that symbolise the visually impaired person are now also chosen as a symbol to highlight triumph over adversity.

I hope at some point, people just forget the blindness and that our personalities and abilities outshine that.

A white cane is a device used by many people who are blind or visually impaired. A white cane primarily allows its user to scan their surroundings for obstacles or orientation marks, but is also helpful for onlookers in identifying the user as blind or visually impaired and taking appropriate care. The latter is the reason for the cane's white colour, which in many jurisdictions is mandatory. Mobility canes are often made from aluminium , graphite-reinforced plastic or other fibre-reinforced plastic , and can come with a wide variety of tips depending upon user preference. White canes can be either collapsible or straight, with both versions having pros and cons.

The white cane is not just a tool that can be used to achieve independence; it is also a symbol of the blind citizens in our society. Throughout history, the cane, staff, and stick have existed as traveling aids for the blind and visually impaired. The blind used such tools to alert them to obstacles in their path. This new role for the white cane had its origins in the decades between the two World Wars, beginning in Europe and then spreading to North America. James Biggs of Bristol claimed to have invented the white cane in After an accident claimed his sight, the artist had to readjust to his environment. Feeling threatened by increased motor vehicle traffic around his home, Biggs decided to paint his walking stick white to make himself more visible to motorists. It was not however until ten years later the white cane established its presence in society.

What is meant by honour the white cane

Celebrated since , this day celebrates the accomplishments and capabilities of people with vision loss and blindness. The white cane stands as a symbol of independence. Steve Kelley, a Peer Advisor with VisionAware, a program of American Printing House for the Blind, commented on the importance of the white cane for people who are blind or have low vision. It is a symbol for members of our community who are blind or visually impaired. White Cane Safety Day is observed annually on October 15 to recognize the many achievements of blind and visually impaired citizens and the white cane as a tool promoting independent travel. Loss of vision is a life-altering event whether it occurs at a young age or later in life. The number of people with vision impairment or blindness in the United States is expected to double to more than 8 million by the year That is why early screenings to detect eye diseases, regular monitoring for vision changes, and access to training in non-visual skills and techniques are so important. What does the white cane mean for someone with vision loss? With the cane, they avoid obstacles, find steps and curbs, step over cracks or uneven places in the sidewalk, find doorways, and get into cars and buses.

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Read More. While it started out as a day of national observance in the United States, it has now become a globally recognised event. The White Cane and its Meaning. In Germany, people carrying a white cane are exempted from the Vertrauensgrundsatz [ de ] trust principle , therefore meaning that other traffic participants should not rely on them to adhere to all traffic regulations and practices. Not everyone who is blind or visually impaired uses the traditional white cane to help them get around, but everyone with vision issues understands the powerful symbol of independence it represents. Although there is no general duty to mark oneself as blind or otherwise disabled, a blind or visually impaired person involved in a traffic accident without having marked themselves may be held responsible for damages unless they prove that their lack of marking was not causal or otherwise related to the accident. World White Cane Day is observed to recognise the importance of blind people. American Printing House for the Blind. Argentina: The Government of Argentina. Today, the white cane works both, as a tool for the blind as well as a symbol, but this has not always been the case. With the use of a cane, blind people use their hearing and touching senses to understand the environment and carry out their tasks easily. Feeling threatened by increased motor vehicle traffic around his home, Biggs decided to paint his walking stick white to make himself more visible to motorists. In November , Argentina passed a law recognizing the use of green canes by people with low vision, stating that the nation would "adopt from this law, the use of a green cane in the whole of Argentina as a means of orientation and mobility for people with low vision. Back to all articles. Mobility canes are often made from aluminium , graphite-reinforced plastic or other fibre-reinforced plastic , and can come with a wide variety of tips depending upon user preference.

Not everyone who is blind or visually impaired uses the traditional white cane to help them get around, but everyone with vision issues understands the powerful symbol of independence it represents.

I hope at some point, people just forget the blindness and that our personalities and abilities outshine that. In some communities, there will be marches or walks through the town, while in others there may be informational booths set up to explain the history and symbolism of the cane. In , the Lion's Club International began a national program promoting the use of white canes for persons who are blind Throughout the s and s, blind persons had walked with their canes held diagonally in a fixed position, and the role of the white cane took on a symbolic role as an identifier. During the early 's, several state organizations and rehabilitation agencies serving the blind and visually impaired citizens of the United States urged Congress to proclaim October 15th of each year to be White Cane Safety Day in all fifty states. The resolution was designed to honor the many achievements of blind and visually impaired Americans while recognizing the role the white cane has played in advancing their independence. In Germany, people carrying a white cane are exempted from the Vertrauensgrundsatz [ de ] trust principle , therefore meaning that other traffic participants should not rely on them to adhere to all traffic regulations and practices. It reminds us that the only barriers against people with disabilities are discriminatory attitudes and practices that our society has too often placed in their way. Read More. Tags: lifestyle World White Cane Day. In May the BBC suggested in its radio broadcasts that blind individuals might be provided with a white stick, which would become universally recognized as a symbol indicating that somebody was blind or visually impaired. In the United Kingdom, the white cane indicates that the individual has a visual impairment but normal hearing; with red bands added, it indicates that the user is deafblind.

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