[Massachusetts-NFB] Thank you for attending White Cane Awareness Day

[Massachusetts Commission for the Blind]

Email from Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Please complete our brief survey! Thank you to everyone who joined the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind to celebrate the independence that the white cane represents and help raise awareness of the White Cane Law in Massachusetts, which requires drivers to identify and yield to pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog at street crossings. The celebration took place on Friday, October 24, 2025, and we appreciate your participation and support. If you attended the event, we’d love to hear from you! Please Take Our Survey If you were unable to attend in person, you can still experience the celebration — listen to the 2025 White Cane Awareness Day Celebration recorded by the Talking Information Center.   Event Highlights   Hundreds gathered for the annual White Cane Awareness Day Celebration, co-hosted by MCB and The Carroll Center for the Blind. The event brought together individuals with vision loss, community partners, advocates, and lawmakers to honor the white cane, celebrate the independence it represents and provides, and help raise awareness of the White Cane Law in Massachusetts which requires drivers to identify and yield to pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog at street crossings.   MCB Commissioner John Oliveira opened the celebration by sharing the history and enduring significance of the white cane. Emphasizing how it represents not only mobility, but also freedom, confidence, and opportunity.   Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah delivered inspiring remarks before reading the Governor’s Proclamation declaring October 15th as White Cane Awareness Day in Massachusetts. Chairs of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, Senator Robyn Kennedy and Representative Jay Livingstone, also joined the celebration to highlight the significance of White Cane Awareness Day and the importance of amplifying the voices of the blindness community. They emphasized their ongoing commitment to ensuring that every corner of the Commonwealth is—and remains—fully accessible to all.    The event also featured the announcement of the 2025 Meg Robertson Mobility Award winners, recognizing individuals who exemplify advocacy, leadership, and independence. Named in honor of retired MCB Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Director Meg Robertson, the award reflects her 30 years of dedication, hard work, and advocacy within the blindness community. Honorees included Phil Zukas, Aubrey Sholds-Neal, and Sariann Cohen.   We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Lions Club and State House volunteers for helping make the day such a success. Your time, energy, and kindness made all the difference. To learn more and for additional highlights from this year’s event, visit our website.               Massachusetts Commission for the Blind 40 Broad Street, Boston, MA 02109 1-800-392-6450 Massachusetts Commission for the Blind | 40 Broad Street | Boston, MA 02109 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
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