You're Invited: White Cane Day 2016

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center would like to invite you to participate in their 12^th annual White Cane Awareness Walk on Wednesday, October 19^th, 2016 in Los Altos, CA.  Please join us to spread awareness of the White Cane Law and celebrate the strength, accomplishments, and advocacy of persons with Vision Loss. 

Photo: The WBRC O&M Department and Interns pose with white canes

The Event will start at 10:30 AM with a meet and greet at Community Plaza (corner of State and Main Streets in Los Altos), a White Cane Walk around downtown Los Altos at 11 AM, and a White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation at the conclusion of the walk. 

Image: White Cane Day Walk in Los Altos, loop starting at State and Main to 1st

Please learn more details and RSVP* at the following website:

http://whoozin.com/XYQ-KY6-JCVC

We hope to see you there!

*RSVPs are encouraged but not required to participate in this event

WBRC Completes 11th Annual White Cane Awareness Walk

Photo: White Cane Awareness Walk participants pose on the Palo Alto City Hall steps

Thank you to everyone who helped plan, implement, and who participated in the 11th Annual WBRC White Cane Awareness Walk in Palo Alto, CA on October 15, 2015. The walk was a huge success with over 60 participants from the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center, Lions Club, Vista Center, WBRC Alumni, and past WBRC O&M Interns. 

Photo: Walk participants cross Bryant Street in downtown Palo Alto, CA.

On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress, HR 753, was signed into law authorizing the President of the United States to proclaim October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day".  White Cane Safety Day is now celebrated all around the world.  Each year on October 15th, the President of the United States proclaims the day of White Cane Safety Day to “to recognize the contributions of Americans who are blind or have low vision”.

Photo: Walk participants parade down University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto, CA

White Cane Safety Day is annual opportunity to increase awareness about the white cane and a chance to educate the public how the white cane:

• Signifies that the pedestrian is either blind or visually impaired 
• Educates the public about “White Cane Laws” which gives the pedestrian the right of way and certain legal protections when traveling with the white cane  
• Symbolizes independence, confidence, dignity and a powerful tool for the visually impaired traveler

President Clinton in his 2000 White Cane Day proclamation said, “The white cane is a simple tool…it reminds us that the only barriers against people with disabilities are discriminatory attitudes and practices that our society has too often placed in their way".

You’re Invited! 11th Annual White Cane Day Awareness Walk

Photo: WBRC O&M Department staff & interns pose with white canes

Join us for the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center’s 11th Annual White Cane Day Awareness Walk:

Thursday, October 15th, 2015 at 10:30 am

White Cane Safety Day is a national observance, celebrated on October 15th since 1964. 

The WBRC will host its annual White Cane Awareness Walk on White Cane Safety Day, Thursday October 15th. Please join us in our effort to increase awareness in surrounding communities and promote safety and independence for persons with Visual Impairment by participating in a walk around the downtown Palo Alto area. Please note the attached walking route for your reference.

We will meet in front of Palo Alto City Hall and begin the walk at 10:30am.

Palo Alto City Hall:
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301

Walking Route:
1) Start at Palo Alto City Hall
2) Travel ‘NE’ on Hamilton towards Waverly Street
3) Turn Left on Waverly Street
4) Travel ‘NW’ on Waverly towards University Ave
5) Turn Left on University Ave
6) Travel ‘SW’ on University Ave to Emerson Street
(Participants who need a shorter route can turn left on Bryant Street to return to City Hall)
7) Turn Left on Emerson Street
8) Travel to Hamilton Ave
9) Turn Left on Hamilton Ave and return to City Hall

This year, in order for the City of Palo Alto to accommodate our group, we ask that each individual fill out a waiver in order to participate. Please RSVP for yourself and the number of people in your group by emailing elizabeth.alcorn@va.gov by Tuesday, October 13th if you plan to attend and a waiver will be e-mailed to you or provided in print at the event.

For questions, please contact Summer Beasley-Hoffman:
(650)493-5000, 1, 2, 24611
summer.beasley@va.gov

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
 

UPDATE: Save the Date for WBRC's 10th Annual White Cane Awareness Walk!

Photo: The WBRC Mobility Department and Interns pose with white canes.

Please save the date for the

2014 White Cane Awareness Walk

Wednesday October 15, 2014

Downtown Palo Alto

Palo Alto City Hall
250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA

 

October is White Cane Awareness Month. WBRC is celebrating White Cane Awareness by hosting a Walk in Palo Alto, CA on Wednesday October 15th, 2014. Participating agencies include WBRC, VAPAHCS, BVA, VISTA Center, Bookshare, and the Lions Club.

On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress was signed into law authorizing the President of the United States to proclaim October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day". Within hours of the passage, then-President Lyndon B. Johnson publicly recognized the importance of the white cane as a symbol of independence for individuals who are blind. Today there is a variant of the White Cane Law on the statute books of every state in the nation and White Cane Safety Day is nationally recognized with marches and celebrations.

Please feel free to come join us on October 15th and participate in the walk to spread awareness of the White Cane Law.

All are welcome --- white cane users, yellow cane users, sighted guides, power mobility users, 4WW users, dog guide users, blindfolded sighted folks {with cane skills or a human guide} ---on an approximate half mile walk around downtown Palo Alto.

Schedule

9:30 AM          Assemble at Palo Alto City Hall, Meet & Greet,
                       Informational Booths

10 AM             Walk from City Hall Palo Alto

10:30 AM        Re-assemble at Palo Alto City Hall, Mix &
                       Mingle, Informational Booths

11:15 AM        Photo & Proclamation at Palo Alto City Hall

Image: White Cane Awareness Walk Route (Click on Image to Enlarge)

2014 White Cane Awareness Walk Route:

1)      Start at Palo Alto City Hall

2)      Travel ‘NE’ on Hamilton towards Waverly Street

3)      Turn Left on Waverly Street

4)      Travel ‘NW’ on Waverly towards University Ave

5)      Turn Left on University Ave

6)      Travel ‘SW’ on University Ave to Emerson Street

a.      Participants that need a shorter route can turn left on Bryant Street to return to City Hall

7)      Turn Left on Emerson Street

8)      Travel to Hamilton Ave

9)      Turn Left on Hamilton Ave and return to City Hall

CLICK HERE to read about WBRC's 2013 White Cane Awareness Walk

CLICK HERE to learn more about the White Cane Law

Please e-mail Elise.Vaughan@va.gov for more information.

Save the Date for WBRC's 10th Annual White Cane Awareness Walk!

Photo: The WBRC Mobility Department and Interns pose with white canes.

Please save the date for the

2014 White Cane Awareness Walk

Wednesday October 15, 2014

 

Downtown Palo Alto

Palo Alto City Hall
250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA

 

October is White Cane Awareness Month. WBRC is celebrating White Cane Awareness by hosting a Walk in Palo Alto, CA on Wednesday October 15th, 2014. Participating agencies include WBRC, BVA, VISTA Center, Bookshare, and the Lions Club. 

On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress was signed into law authorizing the President of the United States to proclaim October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day". Within hours of the passage, then-President Lyndon B. Johnson publicly recognized the importance of the white cane as a symbol of independence for individuals who are blind. Today there is a variant of the White Cane Law on the statute books of every state in the nation and White Cane Safety Day is nationally recognized with marches and celebrations.

Please feel free to come join us on October 15th and participate in the walk to spread awareness of the White Cane Law.

All are welcome --- white cane users, yellow cane users, sighted guides, power mobility users, 4WW users, dog guide users, blindfolded sighted folks {with cane skills or a human guide} ---on an approximate half mile walk around downtown Palo Alto.

Please check back here or e-mail summer.beasley@va.gov for further event details.

CLICK HERE to read about WBRC's 2013 White Cane Awareness Walk

CLICK HERE to learn more about the White Cane Law