History of White Cane Awareness Day Fast Facts 1. A white cane is a mobility aid commonly used by persons who are blind or have low vision. It helps individuals navigate their environment with greater independence and confidence. There are various types of canes and cane tips that can be utilized for different goals and terrains. 2. On October 6, 1964, Congress passed a joint resolution to authorize President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day. In his proclamation, President Johnson said, A white cane in our society has become one of the symbols of a blind person's ability to come and go on his own. Its use has promoted courtesy and special consideration for the blind on our streets and highways. To make our people more fully aware of the meaning of the white cane, and of the need for motorists to exercise special care for the blind persons who carry it, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved October 6, 1964, has authorized the President to proclaim October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day. 3. Now, the day is more commonly referred to as White Cane Awareness Day. As the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) explains: To emphasize the shift in focus from safety to independence, and to continue to use the white cane as a symbol, [people] have chosen to refer to this day as White Cane Awareness Day.

Blind Early Services TN (aka "BEST") was founded in 2020 with the mission to ensure that families are empowered and equipped through specialized programs of support to provide young children who are blind or have low vision their absolute BEST start. Learn more about us at www.blindearlyservices.org.

Learning more at https://www.nhl.com/predators/community/predators-foundation.