Today is White Cane Safety Day, an annual event to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of people with visual disabilities.
The Haverhill City Council recently approved a proclamation to recognize White Cane Awareness Day to celebrate the achievements and independence of the city’s blind and visually impaired residents. The white cane is used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Councilor Catherine P. Rogers read aloud the proclamation from Mayor Melinda E. Barrett.
“The white cane, which every blind citizen of our state/city has the right to carry, demonstrates and symbolizes the ability to achieve a full and independent life and the capacity to work productively in competitive employment.”
The proclamation urges all citizens to observe the day and calls on city schools, colleges and universities to offer opportunities for training to blind and visually impaired persons.
According to a 2023 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2.4% of the city’s approximately 68,000 residents reported vision difficulty, compared to 2% statewide average.
Lawmakers in 1964 approved a joint resolution to authorize the president to proclaim Oct. 15 as White Cane Safety Day.
An all-white cane means a user is blind, a white cane with a red bottom means a user is visually impaired and a white and red striped cane means a user has visual and auditory impairments according to the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, a New York-based nonprofit that assists the blind and visually impaired.
In other Council business, councilors unanimously approved a proclamation to recognize Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as Hispanic American Heritage Month to recognize the achievements of Hispanic Americans, who make up nearly a quarter of the city’s population.