The familiar white cane with a red band at the bottom is used by blind and visually impaired persons in many countries.
Lions help to increase awareness of the use of the white cane and laws governing its use. Specific days or weeks may be designated for white cane events worldwide. During these times Lions help to educate the public about the aspirations, hopes and abilities of people who are blind or visually impaired.
In their efforts to advocate for people who are blind or visually impaired or deaf-blind, Lions clubs may:
• Organise an event that emphasizes equal capabilities and talents of people who are blind, visually impaired or deaf-blind. Special themes may be chosen to focus public attention on a facet of blindness and visual impairment;
• Educate the public about White Cane laws;
• Advocate for ‘beep’ traffic lights and other safety devices.
Lions club of Grand Cayman will have its white Cane street collection drive on Saturday.
Money collected will be used to support programmes and services for people who are blind or visually impaired as well as for sight conservation.
As volunteers, Lions enjoy working together to target needs in their communities. The Lions decide which projects suit these needs and when and how they are best able to address them.
History
In 1921, James Biggs, a photographer from Bristol, England, became blind following an accident. Because he was feeling uncomfortable with the amount of traffic around his home, he painted his walking stick white to be more easily visible.
In the United States, the introduction of the White Cane is attributed to Lion George A. Bonham (Peoria Lions Club). In 1930, he observed a man who was blind attempting to cross the street with a black cane that was barely visible to motorists against the dark pavement. The Lion offered to paint the cane white to make it more visible. By 1931, the Peoria Lions Club approved the project and white canes were made and distributed. The Peoria City Council adopted an ordinance giving the bearers the right-of-way to cross the street. The news of the club’s activity spread to other Lions Clubs, and the white cane became known by the blind and sighted alike as a means of identifying the safe mobility needs of the visually impaired. In 1931, Lions Clubs International began a programme promoting the use of white canes for people who are blind.
While the white cane is commonly accepted as a symbol of blindness, various countries have different rules concerning what constitutes a cane for the blind. In the United Kingdom, for example, the white cane is recognised as being used by visually impaired persons; if the cane has two red bands added, it indicates that the user is deaf-blind. In some areas, the cane is yellow.
In the United States, laws vary from state to state, but in all cases, those carrying white canes are afforded the right of way when crossing a road and when in a public place.
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