[NFBofSC] Happy White Cane Safety Day!

[David Houck]

	State of South Carolina 

	Governor's Proclamation 

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

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

	WHEREAS, South Carolina state 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 National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina has
promoted independent living, mobility training, braille literacy
rights, and voting and jury duty rights, not to mention the White Cane
Law passed in 1972; and 

	WHEREAS, the South Carolina Commission for the Blind came into
existence in 1966 by the National Federation of the Blind advocating
for legislation in order that this state agency shall assist in
implementing vocational, assistive technology, braille and computer
literacy so the blind may find competitive employment and the elderly
blind may live independently; and 

	WHEREAS, the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind,
celebrating its 175th year of service this year, prepares this
generation of blind children for their educational goals; and 

	WHEREAS, with the cooperative assistance of the National Federation
of the Blind of South Carolina, along with the Commission for the
Blind and the School for the Blind, South Carolina can and should
facilitate the expansion of employment opportunities for greater
acceptance of blind persons in the competitive labor market as the
General Assembly has done by defeating subminimum wages for the blind
and disabled workers in this state going into full effect in 2024. 

	NOW, THEREFORE, I, Henry Dargan McMaster, Governor of the great State
of South Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 15, 2024, as 

	WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY 

	throughout the state and encourage our schools, colleges, and
universities to offer full opportunities for training blind persons,
employers and the public to utilize the available skills of competent
blind persons, to open new opportunities for the blind in our rapidly
changing society, and encourage all South Carolinians to recognize the
white cane as a tool of independence for blind pedestrians on our
streets and highways. 

	HENRY DARGAN MCMASTER 

	GOVERNOR 

	STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA 

	
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