[NFBWV-Talk] FW: [blindcitizensnz-blinddiscuss] Celebrating International White Cane Day

[David Allen]

Hi all!

 

Since the day begins here first, I wanted to share this. I believe it to be
important to most of us on this list. By the way, I know that Bard has a
specific book on this subject, in case anyone may need refreshing. The title
of that book is The Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane.

 

 

 

From: blindcitizensnz-blinddiscuss at groups.io
[mailto:blindcitizensnz-blinddiscuss at groups.io] On Behalf Of Rose Wilkinson
Sent: Tuesday, 15 October 2019 12:21 p.m.
To: blindcitizensnz-blinddiscuss at groups.io
Subject: [blindcitizensnz-blinddiscuss] Celebrating International White Cane
Day

 

Below, is the media release Blind Citizens NZ has published to celebrate
International White Cane Day. This is also on our website.

 

15 October 2019

 

Media Release

 

International White Cane Safety Day - 15 October

 

Blind Citizens NZ joins the World Blind Union and the rest of the world, in
observing International White Cane Safety Day today, 15 October. White Cane
Safety Day raises awareness about, and reminds everyone of the importance
and purpose of the White Cane. It is a mobility tool for blind, deafblind
and vision impaired people to get around the environment, safely,
independently, with confidence and dignity.

 

Making the world a safer place for White Cane users, requires the
cooperation of central and local government to ensure there is legislation
to protect White Cane users wherever they may be in our environment. City
streets need pedestrian footpaths dedicated for use by pedestrians including
blind people, and not forced to share them with e-scooters, bicycles, cars
and other vehicles. There must be policies, laws and proper infrastructure
to ensure the independent and safe travel of blind, deafblind and vision
impaired people in their local communities, educational institutions, work
environments, and at public events. This is consistent with Article 9
Accessibility, of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities, which requires Government to identify and eliminate
obstacles and barriers, and ensure that persons with disabilities can access
the environment, transport, and public facilities. 

 

A White Cane user, Jonathan Godfrey, National President of the Association
of Blind Citizens of New Zealand (Blind Citizens NZ) said "today is our
opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of the White Cane and
what it means for us. I rely on my skills with a white cane to have a full
and active life. I have a cane for getting to work, a cane to use in the
classroom when I get there, and there's always a spare one somewhere close
if it gets damaged. They're all white and they all show the world I'm blind;
they differ in style to suit my immediate needs. 

 

In celebrating White Cane Safety Day, we take this opportunity to
acknowledge Government's Accessibility Charter, which requires government
agencies to provide accessible information and services. We acknowledge
commitments made in conjunction with the soon to be launched Disability
Action Plan 2019-2022. However, there is much more that must be done, and
so, Blind Citizens NZ calls upon central and local government to establish
and implement standards that will ensure universal access for all persons
with disabilities. We urge society to recognise the rights of blind,
deafblind and vision impaired people, and in conjunction with International
White Cane Safety Day, to remove obstacles such as low hanging branches,
obstacles on footpaths, and cars parked on or across footpaths (especially
in driveways or entrances to buildings).

 

For further information contact: Jonathan Godfrey, National President, 029
538 9814

 

About Blind Citizens NZ: Founded in 1945, the Association of Blind Citizens
of New Zealand Inc is a disabled people's organisation (DPO), with branches
and networks across the country. We are New Zealand's leading blindness
consumer organisation and one of the country's largest organisations of
disabled consumers. Our members are blind, vision impaired or deafblind. We
exist to give voice to the aspirations and lived experiences of blind,
deafblind and vision-impaired New Zealanders. We aim to achieve this by
heightening awareness of our rights and to remove the barriers that negate
our ability to live in an accessible, equitable and inclusive society. 

 

 

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