Official Proclamation
Today, Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen visited the Iowa Department for the Blind, where she toured the facility and signed a proclamation officially declaring October 15 as White Cane Awareness Day. “The City of Des Moines plays a vital role in promoting greater inclusion of blind individuals,” Mayor Boesen stated.
Students from the Orientation Center gathered to witness the signing and hear the proclamation read aloud.
White Cane Awareness Day
The long white cane is more than a useful tool for blind and low vision Iowans; it’s a symbol of independence. Blind people use white canes to travel independently to school, work, and community events. They use them to take buses across town and to navigate airports worldwide.
At the Iowa Department for the Blind, we celebrate the freedom, confidence, and opportunity that the white cane represents. For over 100 years, we have worked to ensure that all blind Iowans have the skills and confidence to travel safely and independently, whether it’s around the corner or around the world!