International White Cane Day (15/10)

International White Cane Safety Day — is not a holiday, it is a kind of sign of trouble, reminding society of the existence of people with disabilities nearby, of help and solidarity.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 2.2 billion people around the world are blind or live with some form of visual impairment. Moreover, about 65% of all people suffering from visual impairments are — people aged 50 years and older. This age group makes up 20% of the world's population.

The history of the white cane, as a symbol of blindness, dates back to 1921. In the British city of Bristol lived a young professional photographer, James Biggs, who lost his sight after an accident. He had to start a new life, and he began to learn to walk around the city on his own using a cane. But he soon realized that neither passers-by nor drivers reacted to his black cane. Then he painted the cane white. And she became noticeable. This innovation was picked up by all blind people not only in England, but throughout Europe, and then in many other countries.

In 1950-60, a broad campaign began around the world to study and explain issues related to the life of people with disabilities and people with special needs. The social orientation in public policy at that time was especially evident in many European countries and the United States. And as a result, the American Congress decided to declare October 15 White Cane Day, which was first celebrated in America in 1964.

The — cane is not only a symbol of blind people, it is their tool, their «-eye» (Photo: Karin Hildebrand Lau, licensed from Shutterstock.com)

Worldwide, International White Cane Day — symbol of the blind person — was approved on October 15, 1970 at the initiative of the International Federation of the Blind. In subsequent years, more and more new countries joined this movement.

The All-Russian Society of the Blind joined White Cane Day in 1987.

In general, the — cane is not only a symbol of blind people, it is their tool, their «-eyes». After all, the sound from a cane hitting the sidewalk or pavement allows the blind to hear the surrounding space and feel «high» obstacles (for example, houses, trees, poles, parked cars), the sliding of a cane along the surface of the road — to determine the presence of «low» (curbs, steps, hatches, holes).

The main goal of today — is to once again draw public attention to the problems of blind people, who sometimes go unnoticed for a long time, live next to us and do not see all the colors of the world around us in order to understand and accept each other as we all are: with all the advantages, negative and positive aspects of character, difficulties and specifics.

The main goal of today – is to once again draw public attention to the problems of blind people (Photo: Lisa S., licensed from Shutterstock.com)

Therefore, traditionally for this Day, in many countries, through public organizations and volunteers, various events — seminars and meetings, trainings and short lectures are organized, popularly telling everyone who is blind, why they need a white cane and how they can be helped. There are also tournaments and competitions between sighted people who are specially blindfolded; The media publishes programs and articles about the life, work and successes of blind people.

«Tolerance, Equality, Integration» — are the main words of International White Cane Day.

Let us remind you that there are still days in the international calendar that urge society not to forget about people who need the simplest support, — is International Day of the Deaf, International Day of the Blind, International Day of Persons with Disabilities and others.



Postcard «October 15 — International White Cane Day»

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