White Cane Safety Day Celebrated at Capitol

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the Department of Labor & Industry's (L&I) Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), along with the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) held its annual White Cane Safety Day at the Capitol to raise public awareness of this important mobility tool for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

OVR and BBVS staff were on hand to guide participants through a sensory-loss simulation exercise that included the training on the use of white canes, vision-loss simulation goggles, and adaptive transportation aids and equipment. 

"The white cane has become a symbol in our society of a blind person's ability to navigate in a sighted world and to be unencumbered," said Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino, who participated the event.  "We want today to be a reminder of the great strides and contributions that those with visual impairments have made at home, in the workplace, and in the community at large, many due in part to the white cane that fosters mobility and independence."  

White Cane Safety Day, which falls officially on October 15, is also an opportunity to remind drivers about Pennsylvania's White Cane law, which yields the right-of-way to anyone using a white cane or a guide dog.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM events raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of Americans with disabilities. Please refer to OVR's NDEAM calendar for a complete list of commonwealth-wide NDEAM events.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sara Goulet, 717-787-7530

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us