Application to mail at Periodicals Postage Rates is Pending in Pensacola, FL
This Community Newspaper is a weekly publication of Escambia Santa/Rosa Bar Association Page 1 Vol. 15, No. 36 VISIT THE SUMMATION WEEKLY ONLINE: www.esrba.com September 8, 2015
4 Pages
What the Heck is White Cane Day? By: Ardye Graham
What the heck is White Cane Day? About this time last year, I asked myself the same question. The answer, although enlightening and educational, was not what I expected. I am ready to share the answer with you. In 1921, a photographer from Bristol, England, had an accident that left him blind. Although using a walking stick was helpful, it did not quite his fears of being hit when navigating the streets of his town. To make himself more visible, he painted his walking stick white . In 1930, the then president of the Peoria (Illinois) Lions Club, having learned of the painted walking stick, presented the idea to his fellow club members of painting a red band on the white cane as a means of making the visually impaired more recognizable. The idea was approved and the club had white canes with red bands made and distributed in their area. The Peoria City Council followed suit by adopting an ordinance giving the right-of-way to cross the street to anyone bearing the distinctive cane. The news of Peoria’s movement spread throughout the nation and the special cane was overwhelmingly accepted by the visually impaired as well as the sighted. Then in 1964, the US Congress, house bill H. R. 753, jointly approved a resolution authorizing the President to issue a proclamation declaring October 15th of each year as “National White Cane Safety Day”. Then President Lyndon B. Johnson immediately signed the joint resolution! As a result of the proclamation, every state in the US now observes White Case Safety Day! Each state also has passed “White Cane Laws” which bestow the bearer of a white cane legal, rightful status on public streets and in traffic. Independence for the Blind here in Pensacola sponsors various activities in connection with White Cane Safety Day. I attended and participated in those activities last year. Upon completion of the main agenda events: speakers, testimonials, lunch (you have to have lunch), tours of the center, etc., those who desired, and who were adventurous enough, took a walk along the streets of Martin Luther King Boulevard, Texar Drive, and Davis Highway blindfolded. Yes, blindfolded! The blindfolds totally eliminated all vision but, thankfully, we were kept out of harm’s way by sighted guides. Being unable to use visual cues to mark location distorted my sense of place and time. Even turning corners was barely noticeable. Being unsighted made it difficult, if not impossible, to detect obstacles such as uneven concrete, small objects, other people, and low hanging tree branches. Just walking along, cautiously and without warning, I had a close encounter with a branch full of leaves. Upon our return to the IB Center and the removal of the blindfold, it seemed that time had stood still! It was awesome! It was also a little embarrassing that I had not been more sensitive to the needs of visually impaired But wait, there’s more and this is REAL IMPORTANT! (continued page 3)
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Executive Director Mike Doubek mike@esrba.com Member Services Specialist Michele Kelley michele@esrba.com
Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Office 216 S. Tarragona Street, Suite B Pensacola, FL 32502 Publisher Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association Published Weekly At: 216 S. Tarragona Street, Suite B. Pensacola, Florida 32502 Phone: 850-434-8135 Fax: 850-436-8822 Email: esrba@esrba.com Website: www.esrba.com Office Hours Monday - Thursday 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Friday 8:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Application to mail at periodicals Postage Rate is Pending at Pensacola, FL Subscription Rates $20/ year ( All ESRBA Members) $22.50/ year (Escambia/Santa Rosa/ Okaloosa County Non-Members) $27.50/ Year ( Other counties within Florida & All other States NonMembers) Postmaster Send Address Changes To: The Summation Weekly 216 S. Tarragona Street, Suite B Pensacola, Florida 32502
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What the Heck is White Cane Day? (continued) Florida, like all other states, has laws relevant to the White Cane that every person, particularly operators of vehicles, definitely should know. Florida Statutes, 316.1301, states, in part, (1) It is unlawful for any person, unless totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated, while on any public street or highway, to carry in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red. . . . (2) Whenever a pedestrian is crossing, or attempting to cross, a public street or highway, guided by a dog guide or carrying in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red, the driver of every vehicle approaching the intersection or place where the pedestrian is attempting to cross shall bring his or her vehicle to a full stop before arriving at such intersection or place of crossing and, before proceeding, shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid injuring such pedestrian. . . . In addition, the Florida Driver’s Manual states that drivers must always yield the right-of-way to persons who are blind. When a pedestrian is crossing a street or highway guided by a dog or carrying a white cane (or a cane with a red tip), vehicles must come to a complete stop. (Emphasis added.) So this October 15th and every October 15th thereafter, I hope you will join others in celebration of this special date and the beneficial impact it has had on our visually impaired family members, friends, co-workers, associates, and strangers, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll develop a greater appreciation of these special people. And, if you really want to celebrate, come and join everyone at the Independence for the Blind of West Florida Center located at 3107 North Davis Highway, for a true life changing experience!
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