Why we celebrate
Throughout the world, the long white cane is used by people with visual impairment or blindness as a tool for safe and reliable navigation. The white cane is a symbol of the user’s skills and talents, mobility and independence. Many states, provinces, or local areas offer classes for visually impaired individuals to learn how to effectively use a white cane.
The white cane acts as a safety measure, alerting motorists and universally acknowledging the user as visually impaired. Sometimes the white cane has a red band or strip for the purpose of contrast. Today, white cane laws and regulations exist in multiple countries around the world, providing visually impaired individuals a legal status in traffic.
White cane history and Lions service
1921
James Biggs, a photographer from Bristol, England, became blind following an accident. Because he was feeling uncomfortable with the amount of traffic around his home, he painted his walking stick white to be more easily visible.
1930
Lion George A. Bonham, President of the Peoria Lions Club in Illinois, United States, introduced the idea of using a white cane with a red band as a means of assisting the blind in independent mobility after noticing a visually impaired individual’s guide stick was black and not very noticeable. The club distributed white canes, and the Peoria City Council adopted an ordinance giving users the right-of-way to cross the street.
1931
Guilly d’Herbemont launched a national “white stick movement” in France, symbolically giving the first two white canes to visually impaired people in the presence of French ministers.
Overwhelming universal acceptance of the white cane quickly gave users a unique method of identifying their special need for travel consideration among other pedestrians and motorists.
1964
The United States Congress approved a resolution authorizing the President of the United States to annually issue a proclamation designating October 15 as “National White Cane Safety Day.” In 1969, the International Federation of the Blind (now the World Blind Union), adopted the date as “International White Cane Safety Day.”
Suggested activities for Lions
Mobilize your club to partner with local schools, community groups and organizations for the visually impaired to plan your International White Cane Day activity.
Invite a representative from a school or organization for the visually impaired to speak about the white cane and white cane regulations in your community.
Connect with government officials to create an International White Cane Day proclamation for your event.
Advocate by working with community leaders to improve accessibility and safety. Visit the Advocacy at Lions International webpage to get started.
Work with organizations or agencies for the visually impaired to provide white canes to those in need in your community. The National Federation of the Blind offers free white canes to people with blindness in the United States.
Distribute flyers and share safety messages through local media educating drivers and pedestrians on what a white cane signifies and how to respond safely.
Raise awareness of the white cane through a social media campaign: post stories, opportunities to advocate, and educational material and use the #InternationalWhiteCaneDay hashtag.
Resources
- Learn about the United Nations Development Programme’s work to promote International White Cane Day.
- Discover how UNICEF promotes inclusion and advocates for access.
- Explore the Lions International Vision webpage which features information on vision programs, LCIF grant opportunities, and how to make a donation to empower the service of Lions around the world.
- Publicize your service by utilizing marketing toolkits and resources on the Lions International Club Marketing webpage.
Report your vision service
Be sure to report your service in the Lion Portal to showcase your club’s impact and inspire others.