White Cane Safety Day, also known as Blind Americans Equality Day [1], is an annual, national observance that recognizes the achievements of blind Americans and the importance of the white cane as the basic tool of mobility and symbol of independence for the blind. It is also a day to remind all citizens of the laws granting the right of way to blind cane travelers. In 1964, the United States Congress authorized the President of the United States to proclaim October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day". In fact, White Cane Safety Day is now celebrated around the world in many countries on the same date.

During the beautiful fall afternoon of October 15, 2015, White Cane Safety Day was celebrated in both fun and meaningful ways in Des Moines and other cities around the state of Iowa.

The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) was the focal point for festivities in the capitol city. At a gathering in IDB's Assembly Room, Director Richard Sorey introduced some very special guests. Both Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad and Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie were on hand to present official proclamations of White Cane Safety Day for the State and the City. Each read the text of their respective documents and offered some remarks of their own that spoke to the significance of the occasion and the importance of observing it annually. After having an opportunity to gather on the sidewalk outside the north entrance to the IDB building, the individuals in attendance who came to participate embarked on a public walk on the nearby Principal Riverwalk that runs along the banks of the Des Moines River. Orientation Center teacher Helen Stevens led the way as the group traversed the grand arch of the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge and continued on down the trail. She was aided by Industrial Arts Teacher Ric Frambach and Travel Teacher Mark Edge helping to keep the group together and moving. Other volunteers served as way finders at critical turns in the trail and handed out water at the half-Loop station. The walkers carried a couple of handmade signs proclaiming White Cane Safety Day 2015, one of which proved to be the only casualty of the day as the wind caught it, tore it off its handle, and tossed it into the Des Moines River in the sunny but windy conditions.

Though a few walkers opted to take the half-loop option and head back to the IDB building, the majority of participants chose to complete the entire 1.2 mile loop. Passage over the rehabilitated Union Pacific Railroad Bridge marked the turnaround point on the Riverwalk. The jovial group then passed the large ceramic Dango sculptures and the rubble of the recently demolished YMCA on its way back to IDB. A number of IDB's community partners were set up in the Assembly Room during the final hour of the event and walkers enjoyed mutual fellowship, refreshments, and the opportunity to visit with representatives from consumer groups ICUB and NFBI, news services for the visually impaired IRIS and Newsline, the Friends of the Library [2], the VA/DSM, and low vision support groups [3]. Volunteers helped to keep the event running smoothly including a group from Drake University's Delta Gamma sorority and their Service for Sight project. Television station Local ABC-5 was on hand to give coverage to the event. [4]

Elsewhere in the state, members of low vision support groups and consumer groups sought proclamations from their local officials and held their own events or appeared at official functions to mark this significant day. Highlights included:

The Oskaloosa Lions Club and Low Vision Support Group got the jump on everyone by having October 9-10 declared as White Cane Safety Days in that south central Iowa city. Their visit to Mayor David Krutzfeldt's office for the signing of the proclamation was written up for a newspaper article in The Oskaloosa Herald [5].

The Ottumwa Support Group for Blind and Visually Impaired also hosted Mayor Tom Lazio at their regular meeting which happened to fall on the official White Cane Safety Day of October 15. Media coverage by local paper The Ottumwa Post and an area television station helped the group continue to reach out to other visually impaired members as it works to attract more members. View the television news story. [6]

Carroll residents Carol and LeRoy Haberl led the observance of the day in that western Iowa city by making a presentation at Sunnybrook Assisted Living and receiving an official proclamation from Carroll Mayor Adam Schweers. LeRoy, a retired farmer, is a member of the Independent Living Advisory Committee [7] which helped to spread the word about White Cane Safety Day to groups around the state.

In Cedar Rapids' Dolores Reisinger made a visit to her local city council meeting to receive a proclamation of White Cane Safety Day 2015. Her appearance and comments at the meeting are now recorded as part of City of Cedar Rapids public record and may be viewed on the city's web site [8].