The White Cane Safety Day is held every year on 15 October. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the White Cane and the issues of interest to blind and visually impaired people, especially accessibility issues and the barriers that prevent them from living independently and being socially active. The main issues of interest include improving access to education, employment, transport, information and technology.

What is the White Cane?

The White Cane is an important tool that:

• is used to obtain information in the 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 cane is visually impaired and therefore does not experience the environment and traffic in the same way as the other sighted.

Three Types of Canes

• Mobility cane: A traditional White Cane used in traffic. It is long and usually foldable. When walking, it is held in front of the use 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 user in locating himself.

• ID cane: A short and foldable cane that is a sign to the environment that the user is visually impaired. The cane can also be used to feel and find objects in the environment.

• Support cane: A cane that can be adjusted for length. The cane is used to support and to better balance.

On the occasion of the day, users of the White Cane are encouraged to highlight their White Cane and increase their visibility.