WBRC 10th Annual White Cane Awareness Walk a Huge Success

Photo: The 10th Annual White Cane Awareness March participants (click on the picture to enlarge)

 

October 15th, 2014 - The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) hosted their 10th Annual White Cane Awareness March on White Cane Awareness Day in Palo Alto, CA.  Participants included current and former WBRC students, WBRC staff members, Mr. Pete Chavarria - Grand Marshall of the March and WBRC Alum, Mrs. Nancy Shepherd - Palo Alto City Mayor, Volunteers from the Palo Alto Host Lions Club, Bookshare Representatives, Santa Clara Valley Blind Center Representatives, VISTA Center Representatives, as well as Guide Dogs for the Blind Puppy Raisers and Guide Dog Puppies in Training. 

Photo: WBRC staff member, Annalise Shaffer, mans the info booth

The group met in front of Palo Alto City hall with speeches from WBRC Administration, the Palo Alto City Mayor, and the Grand Marshal.  WBRC also set up and manned an information booth in front of City Hall with informational pamphlets on the White Cane Law, how to interact with pedestrians with vision loss, samples of long canes and support canes, blindfolds, and information about local services.  The approximately 1/2 mile march route included several blocks of University Ave, Palo Alto's busy downtown area which allowed participants to distribute information about the White Cane Law to many members of the community. 


Photo: Pete Chavarria (Right) is presented a certificate of appreciation from John Kingston, O&M Department Supervisor, for being the Grand Marshall of the 10th Annual White Cane Awareness Walk.

The group re-assembled upon returning to Palo Alto City Hall.  The White Cane Day proclamation was read by Mrs. Shepherd, Palo Alto City Mayor, and Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to the Mayor, Grand Marshall, and the Palo Alto Host Lions Club. 

This event, designed to celebrate the ability of persons with vision impairment to lead full and independent lives, included public education of the White Cane Law.  The White Cane Law states that pedestrians who use a white cane or dog guide have certain rights. Only persons who are legally blind are lawfully allowed to carry a white cane. Legal Blindness is defined as someone who has best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye; or a visual field limitation of 20 degrees or less. Some people with vision loss do not fall under the legal blindness definition but can still benefit from use of a long cane in a different color, such as yellow.

The California Vehicle Code 21963 states that a person carrying a predominantly white cane or using a dog guide shall have the right-of-way, that the driver of any vehicle approaching this person who fails to yield, or take all reasonable precautions to avoid injuring this pedestrian is guilty of a misdemeanor.  This is punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a $500 to $1,000 fine, or both.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the WBRC

CLICK HERE to learn more about Bookshare

CLICK HERE to learn more about Guide Dogs for the Blind

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Guide Dogs for the Blind Puppy Raising Program

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center

CLICK HERE to learn more about the VISTA Center

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Palo Alto Host Lions Club