NLAB School for the Blind

MANILA (27 July) -- August 1 is White Cane Safety Day in the Philippines, but few people understand the significance of this important event in the life of the visually impaired brethren.

The celebration of White Cane Safety Day started when the Congress of the Philipines passed into law Republic Act No. 6759, more popularly known as the "White Cane Act" and signed into law by then President Corazon C. Aquino.

Said law also designated August 1 of each year as White Cane Safety Day with the purpose of instilling to the public the plight of the blind, promoting recognition and acceptance of the "white cane" as a symbol of need of the blind for specific assistance and as a reminder of the individual's duty to care for and accord due respect to them.

The use of white cane as a symbol of the visually impaired started in 1921 by James Biggs, a photographer from Bristol, who became blind after an accident, he was feeling uncomfortable with the amount of traffic around his home so he painted his walking stick white to be more visible to pedestrian and motorist.

Then US President Lyndon Johnson recognized the importance of the white cane as a staff of independence for the blind people. Thus, he issued a Presidential Proclamation designating October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day.

White cane is a symbol of independence for the blind. The blind are able to go, to move, to be, and to compete with all others in the society.

So once we see a person trying to cross a street holding a white cane, let us stop and allow them to cross. (PIA-MMIO)

Note: This article was orginally posted in 2005 but still applicble today. - pub
Stamp: http://www.mrcophth.com

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6759
September 18, 1989

AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST ONE OF EACH YEAR AS WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "White Cane Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is declared to be the policy of the State to promote and protect the physical, moral, and social well-being of all handicapped persons, such as the blind, and to undertake studies on specific causes of the high percentage of blind people in the Philippines.

SEC. 3. White Cane Safety Day. – August one of each year is hereby declared as White Cane Safety Day for the purposes of instilling public awareness of the plight of the blind, promoting recognition and acceptance of the "white cane" as a symbol of the need of the blind for specific assistance and as a reminder of the individual's duty to care for and accord due respect to his unfortunate brethren.

SEC. 4. Observation; Education and Information. – The White Cane Safety Day shall be appropriately observed. Towards this end, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the Department of Health and the Philippine Information Agency shall conduct a continuing, education and information campaign to achieve the purposes as stated in Section Three of this Act.

SEC. 5. Government Agencies; Rules and Regulations. – The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall, in consultation with the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, issue rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

  Approved: September 18, 1989

Source: http://elibrary.supremecourt.gov.ph

Blind people have used canes as mobility tools for centuries, but it was not until after World War I that the white cane was introduced.

In 1921 James Biggs, a photographer from Bristol who became blind after an accident, was feeling uncomfortable with the amount of traffic around his home so painted his walking stick white to be more easily visible.

In 1931 in France, Guilly d'Herbemont launched a national white stick movement for blind people.

In the United States, the introduction of the white cane is attributed to George A. Bonham of the Lions Clubs International. In 1930, a Lions Club member watched as a man who was blind attempted to cross the street with a black cane that was barely visible to motorists against the dark pavement. The Lions decided to paint the cane white to make it more visible. In 1931, Lions Clubs International began a program promoting the use of white canes for people who are blind.

The first special White Cane Ordinance was passed in December 1930 in Peoria, Illinois granting blind pedestrians protections and the right-of-way while carrying a white cane.