[NFBMO] 2019 White Cane Awareness Proclamation Signed By The Governor

[Gary Wunder]

Fantastic work. Thanks, friend.



-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMO <nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Daniel Garcia via NFBMO
Sent: Tuesday, October 1, 2019 8:32 PM
To: NFB of Missouri Mailing List (nfbmo at nfbnet.org) <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Daniel Garcia <dangarcia3 at hotmail.com>
Subject: [NFBMO] 2019 White Cane Awareness Proclamation Signed By The
Governor

Dear Missouri Federationists:

Today marks the beginning of October which is Meet the Blind Month. Although
we educate the public about the capabilities of the blind year round, it is
during October that we make an extra effort to tell the public how blindness
does not hold us back. The most important date during Meet the Blind Month
is October 15 which marks White Cane Awareness Day. It was in the 1960's and
1970's that the NFB passed Model White Cane Laws across the country to
combat the perverse notion of contributory negligence, the idea that a blind
person was to blame for whatever accident he was involved in merely because
he is blind. White Cane Awareness thus helps to promote the value of the
White Cane as a tool of independence for the blind and to encourage people
to realize that blind people are quite capable of living fully rewarding and
productive lives

Governor Parson recently signed a Proclamation Declaring October 15 to be
White Cane Awareness day. It is attached and below my signature.

Regards

Daniel Garcia, Corresponding Secretary
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
dangarcia3 at hotmail.com
(816) 621-0902
www.nfb.org
www.nfbmo.org
Live the life you want


***


WHEREAS, the white cane, which every blind citizen of our state has the
right to carry, demonstrates and symbolizes the ability to achieve a full
and independent life and the capacity to work productively in competitive
employment; and

WHEREAS, the proper use of the white cane, by allowing every blind person to
move freely and safely from place to place, makes it possible for the blind
to participate fully in and contribute to our society and to live the lives
they want; and

WHEREAS, since 2008 the National Federation of the Blind, through its free
white cane program, has been offering free white canes to blind and visually
impaired individuals, helping them to become independent members of society;
and

WHEREAS, every citizen should be aware that the law requires that motorist
and cyclists exercise appropriate caution when approaching a blind person
carrying a white cane or using a dog guide; and

WHEREAS, Missouri law also calls upon employers, both public and private, to
be aware of and utilize the employment skills of our blind citizens by
recognizing their worth as individuals and their productive capacities; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri, through its public agencies and with the
cooperative assistance of the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri,
can and should facilitate the expansion of employment opportunities for and
greater acceptance of blind persons in the competitive labor market.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Michael L. Parson, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, do
hereby proclaim October 15, 2019, to be

WHITE CANE AWARENESS DAY

in Missouri and do call upon our schools, colleges, and universities to
offer full opportunities for training to blind persons; upon employers and
the public to utilize the available skills of competent blind persons and to
open new opportunities for the blind in our rapidly changing society; and
upon all citizens to recognize the white cane as a tool of independence for
blind pedestrians on our streets and highways.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed
the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, this 16th
day of September, 2019.

Michael L. Parson
Governor
Jay Ashcroft
Secretary of State