Sjonstodin
The day of the white letter, 15 October.
25th October 2023
The 15th of October is the Day of the White Star; the Day of Confrontation and Awareness for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The Day is international and its purpose is to raise awareness of the issues of the blind and visually impaired, especially accessibility and the barriers to access that prevent them from living independently and being socially active.
What is the white letter?
The White Star is an important tool that:
is used to obtain information in the travelling environment.
can assist blind and visually impaired people a great deal and increase their independence and safety in getting around.
reminds the sighted that the user of the white stick is visually impaired and therefore does not experience the environment and traffic in the same way as the other sighted.
Types of characters:
A white stick: A traditional white stick used in traffic. It is long and usually interchangeable. When walking, it is held in front of the passer-by to inform him about possible obstacles or irregularities on the road or to assure the user that the route is easy. It is also used to find objects and identification points and thus assists the individual in locating himself.
Character: A short and breakable alphabet that is a sign to the environment that the user is visually impaired. The alphabet can also be used to feel and find objects in the environment.
A walking stick: A stick that can be adjusted for length. The stick is used to support and to better balance.