The following story was taken from the DARS - Division for Blind Services web page.
Houston Celebrates White Cane Day and DisAbility Awareness Week (2/7/2008)
by
Lillie Guillory
DARS/DRS, Texas Rehab Action Network (TRAN), and the University of Houston Center for Students with DisAbilities joined forces with the Houston Field Headquarters office to coordinate the first White Cane Day Celebration for Houston. The October 15 event started with meeting and greeting participants and curious onlookers. Consumers who are blind or visually impaired led the walk with their white canes, and they were followed by individuals in wheelchairs and people with other disabilities.
The walk took place on the University of Houston’s main campus starting at the Justin Dart, Jr. Center for Students with DisAbilities Building. The walk ended at the Student Center, where Chancellor/Vice-President of Student Affairs Elwyn Lee and DBS Field Director Cheryl Guido addressed the participants. A proclamation from the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities was presented by Executive Director Michelle Colvard, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the event followed.
The education and fun continued with live music by blind pianist Gary Neal, music by Houston radio station 97.9, lunch, and experiential activities provided by DBS vocational rehabilitation teachers. Twenty-three local and surrounding area vendors also participated as exhibitors.
University of Houston students and the public had opportunities to take part in sensitivity awareness exercises. Activities included using a cane, using a wheel chair, using writing guides, and pouring water using adaptive equipment.
The event promoted awareness to people with other disabilities and people without disabilities. A University of Houston student commented, “Wow, people without vision can still live normal and productive lives.” This student and others learned an important lesson about our consumers, and the event was a huge success!
During the week following White Cane Day, the DBS rehabilitation teachers continued their awareness activities. While under blindfold, sighted people experienced a video descriptive movie at a local theater and went bowling. All participants enjoyed their experiences and learned that being blind is not a limitation to life’s pleasures.