Michael Lazarovits, left to right, Braille Institute Santa Barbara Executive Director; Janet Wolf, Santa Barbara County Supervisor; and Gregg Hart, Santa Barbara City Councilmember march in solidarity with Braille Institute students, staff and volunteers in recognition of White Cane Safety Day. Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — On October 13, Braille Institute Santa Barbara recognized White Cane Safety Day with a special awareness and education effort. Community leaders and Braille Institute staff, students and volunteers marched in solidarity for the White Cane Walk along De La Vina Street outside Braille Institute Santa Barbara.
County Supervisor Janet Wolf and Santa Barbara Councilmember Gregg Hart participated in the White Cane Walk and presented a City of Santa Barbara proclamation to raise awareness for White Cane Safety and recognize White Cane Safety Day in Santa Barbara. A Countywide Proclamation will also be made at the October 18 Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting. Education materials, safety tips and training were available at the event.
After the march, Supervisor Wolf and Councilmember Hart addressed and chatted with the participants.
“It’s vital for the countywide community to understand the importance of what the Braille Institute offers to our communities, and how the white cane symbolizes access to opportunities, the need for awareness of safety issues and, also to encourage independence,”
said County Supervisor Janet Wolf. “We can all be part of honoring all who face these challenges and make your life in the community as easy and as safe as possible.”
Supervisor Wolf invited event participants to attend or tune in to the Oct. 18 Board of Supervisors meeting to celebrate and mark the observance.
“I’m so proud of the work that the Braille Institute does on a daily basis to fully engage people affected by blindness and low vision with the community,” said Santa Barbara City Councilmember Gregg Hart, before reading the text of the City’s Proclamation.
President Lyndon B. Johnson recognized the first White Cane Safety Day in 1964, to raise awareness and the need for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to exercise special care for blind people who carry a White Cane.
About Braille Institute: Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss. It serves tens of thousands of people of all ages each year through a broad range of educational, social and recreational programs and services designed to help people of all ages with vision loss lead enriched and fulfilling lives. Funded entirely by private donations, all services are completely free-of-charge. Braille Institute Santa Barbara is online at www.brailleinstitute.org/santabarbara, on Facebook (BrailleInstitute) and Twitter (@BrailleInst).