This story was taken from the DARS-Division for Blind Services (DBS) web page.
Consumers and their families, DBS staff, volunteers, and other community members participated in a White Cane Walk last October as part of the Laredo Field Office's fourth annual celebration of White Cane Day.
The White Cane Walk began at the Laredo Medical Center and moved to the Gateway Community Health Center for events that included a vision health fair and refreshments. After the health fair, the marchers continued their walk by retracing their route back to the Laredo Medical Center.
The health fair offered consumers and family members the opportunity to receive a free glaucoma screening, to meet and link with peer supports, and to visit with health care providers, vendors of assistive devices, and representatives from other state agencies and local organizations. There were also opportunities to learn about self-help techniques and different kinds of technology, all of which are designed to increase self-confidence and promote development of the skills necessary for consumers to succeed in their goals toward self-sufficiency and independent living.
White Cane Day is about more than just a safety reminder to promote courtesy and consideration for people who use white canes. The events in Laredo on this special day also served as an excellent opportunity to increase the general community's awareness of the abilities and capabilities of people who are blind or visually impaired by celebrating the personal independence and dignity of people in the blind community.