The White Cane: a Symbol of Blindness, a Symbol of Equality
To blind people the White Cane is a symbol and means of independence. It can be of diverse design and recently colour variations have been introduced to identify blind people with special needs, such as deafblind persons. The recognition given to the White Cane in terms of public proclamation, parliamentary legislation, and traffic regulation varies from place to place and in many countries is non-existent.
What is the White Cane?
The white cane is a tool used by a blind individual to navigate his/her environment. It's usually long and rigid with a metal or plastic tip. It is extended in front of the person and swung back and forth to warn the user of obstacles or changing terrain. This information includes different textures, sound clues, and whether or not obstacles are in front of the person. Also the white cane indicates to others in the community that the individual carrying the white cane is blind.
What Does the White Cane Represent?
It has become a symbol of freedom, independence, and confidence. The use of such a cane enables a blind person to move about freely in his/her environment. If an individual knows how to use a cane, he/she can accomplish his/her daily tasks with ease. The blind individual that walks with assurance with his/her white cane is comfortable with blindness.
WHITE CANE DAY
October 15 White Cane Day is observed worldwide to recognize the movement of blind people from dependency to full participation in society. The white cane stands as a recognized symbol of blindness and as a symbol affirming the right of blind people to exercise the same rights and responsibilities as others. While the white cane has liberated blind people, allowing them to travel safely and independently, the blind will only achieve full liberation when the public learns to view blind people as having the ability to work and live as others in society. At one time blind people faced lives of isolation and dependency. The opportunity for an education, employment, and social integration were rare and beyond the expectation of most blind people. Accordingly, society and blind people themselves learned to view blindness as representing helplessness and dependency on their families or on the charity of the community.
Fortunately, today opportunities for blind people are much better than in the recent past. Increasingly, blind people are finding that with access to specialized skills and materials, they can compete in education and in employment and participate fully in all aspects of community life. Many things have contributed to the improved condition of blind people, but perhaps two advances stand out as having brought about primary change. First is the ability to read and write using Braille, a system of reading by touch that enabled blind people to become literate, and with that ability came the chance to acquire an education and to prepare for meaningful employment. But an education can only lead to employment if the blind person is able to travel independently and safely from his or her home to his or her job. Likewise, community integration requires the blind person to move from place to place without reliance on friends or family.
As far back as recorded time, blind people have used some form of cane or stick to assist them in moving safely in familiar and unfamiliar places. The ability to travel independently by use of a white cane is basic to a blind person's confidence and ability to live a normal, productive life. Mastery of the white cane gives blind people freedom and confidence. At its most basic level, the cane provides a clear path and alerts the blind person to drop-offs, such as curbs and steps, and to the presence of obstacles. Of course, good travel skills include much more than simply the ability to find a safe path. Given proper training, the blind person acquires skills and strategies to gather information in the environment, to find his or her way in familiar and unfamiliar places.
By use of the white cane, the individual is able to travel safely in buildings, shopping centers, and throughout his or her neighbourhood. Using traffic sounds blind people can cross streets with traffic lights. Blind people also regularly use public transportation such as buses and subways. Of course, blind people often ask directions from others, however, it is generally not necessary to lead blind people from place to place. Perhaps the best advice is to take the lead of the blind person. If the blind person requires help, he or she will ask and will appreciate the assistance. As a practical tool, the cane is unprecedented in its contribution to the freedom of blind people. Although canes have been used virtually forever by individual blind people throughout the world, it was only in the mid 1900's that the cane, and more specifically the white cane, came into common use among blind people.
There is a tendency to view Braille and the white cane as nothing more than tools. Of course, they are tools--important tools, however their value is much greater than the granting of literacy and the freedom to move throughout the community. In a very real sense, Braille and the white cane are symbols of the fundamental equality of blind people and their ability to live full lives as contributing members of society. Rather than being limited to lives of dependency and isolation, blind people today live productive lives, raising families participating in community life and working in a wide range of responsible jobs.
October 15, White Cane Day, marks not only the ability of blind people to walk safely on city streets, but it is also intended to highlight for the public the movement of blind people from poverty and isolation to full participation in community life. The white cane is a symbol of independence and a symbol of the dignity and capacity of blind people.
White Cane Day is an opportunity to spread the message of the ability and the desire of blind people the world round to free themselves from dependency and isolation and assume a place of true equality in society.