National White Cane Safety Day is an annual observance celebrated on October 15th of each year. Just as President Lyndon B. Johnson recognized the importance of the white cane as a staff of independence for blind people, we at WXXI Reachout Radio encourage independence through audio information as well.
Take time today to celebrate and appreciate the achievements of people who are visually impaired, using a White Cane for independent travel, and Reachout Radio for independence in information.
Background of White Cane Safety Day: In July 1963 the National Federation of the Blind called upon the governors of the fifty states to proclaim October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day.
On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress was signed into law authorizing President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day." Within hours of the passage of the joint resolution President Johnson recognized the importance of the white cane as a staff of independence for blind people.