DHSS Press Release

DELAWARE CELEBRATES WHITE CANE DAY OCTOBER 15, 2008

New Castle, DE - Delaware Health and Social Services' Division for the Visually Impaired reminds citizens that Wednesday October 15 is White Cane Day. White Cane Day is a national observance. According to the American Federation of the Blind White Cane Safety Day has become a second Independence Day for the estimated 10 million blind and visually impaired people in the United States.

HISTORY
White cane day traces its roots to the actions of a member of the Lions Club in Peoria, Illinois, who in 1930 had the idea that a white cane would be much more visible and could indicate to the general public that a person carrying one was visually impaired. In 1931, the Lions Clubs International adopted the promotion of white canes and advocating for White Cane Laws.

White Cane Day has taken on added significance since 1964 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the first White Cane Safety Day proclamation after Congress passed HR 753 as a safety reminder to promote courtesy and special consideration to the blind on streets and highways.

PRACTICE
Delaware's White Cane Law is embodied in Title 16 Chapter 95 of the Delaware Code. White Cane law major points: People using a white cane at an intersection have the right of way, and traffic must yield. People accompanied by a guide dog are generally permitted in any place open to the public.

The blind and visually impaired are entitled to full and equal accommodations in all forms of transportation, in hotel and other places of public accommodations and other places to which the general public is invited.

The public should be aware not everyone who uses a white cane is blind. Some people with low vision use a white cane for safety reasons.

The white cane remains one of the most important and reliable tools for people who are blind or visually impaired. It increases the mobility of these citizens by allowing them to travel safely, facilitating their inclusion in all aspects of American life. The cane helps its bearers negotiate physical obstacles and thus enables the sightless to travel and work more easily in the public environment.

For additional information about the Delaware White Cane Law, visit www.delcode.state.de.us/title16/c095

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.