2021 White Cane Awareness Day

Published on Thursday, October 21, 2021

On Friday, October 15 Rhode Island celebrated 2021 White Cane Awareness Day. The event was hosted by IN-SIGHT and included hands-on demonstrations, live music, guest speakers, sweet treats, awesome giveaways and much more!

What is White Cane Awareness and why is it important? The white cane is a powerful symbol of independence for people living with visual impairments. Yet very few people understand the importance of this valuable tool.

“To blind people, the white cane is an essential tool that gives the ability to achieve a full and independent life. It allows us to move freely and safely from place to place—whether it’s at work, at school, or around our neighborhoods. White Cane Awareness Day is our way of emphasizing the critical role that this tool plays in living the lives we want and informing the public about its true significance.” — NFB President Mark A. Riccobono

The event was held at the Garden City Gazebo in Cranston and drew dozens of people including Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, Treasurer Seth Magaziner, and House Speaker Joseph Sherkachi.

Several agencies helped sponsor the event including IN-SIGHT, the Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation, the Providence Veterans Administration Vision Program, Rhode Island Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the National Federation of the Blind Rhode Island Chapter.