In 1930, a Lions Club member watched as a man who was blind attempted to cross the street with a black cane that was barely visible to motorists against the dark pavement.
In 1931, Lions Clubs International began a program promoting the use of white canes for people who are blind. The first special white cane ordinance was passed in December 1930 in Peoria, Illinois granting blind pedestrians protections and the right-of-way while carrying a white cane. The long cane was improved upon by World War II veterans rehabilitation specialist, Richard E.
On February 7, 1931, Guilly d'Herbemont symbolically gave the first two white canes to blind people, in the presence of several French ministers.
In 1931, Lions Clubs International began a program promoting the use of white canes for people who are blind. The first special white cane ordinance was passed in December 1930 in Peoria, Illinois granting blind pedestrians protections and the right-of-way while carrying a white cane. The long cane was improved upon by World War II veterans rehabilitation specialist, Richard E.
In 1944, he took the Lions Club white cane (originally made of wood) and went around the hospital blindfolded for a week.
Before he taught other rehabilitators, or "orientors," his new technique he had a special commission to have light weight, long white canes made for the veterans of the European fronts. On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress, HR 753, was signed into law authorizing the President of the United States to proclaim October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day".
In some cases, it is illegal for a non-blind person to use a white cane with the intent of being given right-of-way. In November 2002, Argentina passed a law recognizing the use of green canes by people with low vision, stating that the nation would "adopt from this law, the use of a green cane in the whole of Argentina as a means of orientation and mobility for people with low vision.
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Page generated on 2021-08-05