Introduction – World White Cane Day is celebrated every year on October 15 across the world to recognize the importance of white canes for blind or visually impaired people to safely travel and maintain their independence. The main aim of this international day is to acknowledge the active participation of blind or visually impaired people in society and celebrate their achievements. This international day is also called as White Cane Safety Day that dedicated to all blind people who are actively participating in the society.

History – Firstly, World White Cane Day was celebrated by President Lyndon B Johnson in the United States in the year 1964.  The National Federation of the Blind started fighting for the basic rights of blind or visually impaired people and developing training programs for them. This global day was also called as Blind Americans Equality Day by former U.S. President Barack Obama in the year 2011.

Significance – This international day is observed to honor the achievements of those individuals who achieved success with their physical limitations. A white cane is a device which can be used by many individuals who are visually impaired or blind. It allows users to scan their surroundings for obstacle marks and also for normal people for identifying the person as visually impaired or blind and take suitable care.

The white cane is a very important mobility tool that signifies the independence of blind people worldwide. White cane was introduced in the United States in the year 1930s thus visually impaired or blind people have been using the canes for centuries. The white cane also helped normal people to identify blind people walking on the streets they should be more careful towards them.