October 15 is National White Cane Safety Day and a time for communities around the Nation to celebrate the many advancements of blind and visually impaired individuals and to bring awareness to the use of the white cane and driver responsibility.
Celebrating locally, Lighthouse of Pinellas joined the Pinellas Council of the Blind, Access Ready, and Pinellas Talking Book Library in an all-day event that took place on Saturday, October 12. Designed to allow the exploration of all the latest low vision technology and resource, the day’s activities included a White Cane Safety Awareness Walk and a vendor EXPO bringing nearly 40 different resources together to a single location.
To start the morning, Eugene Batke, the President of the Pinellas Council of the Blind, introduced City of Seminole Vice Mayor, Trish Springer, who on behalf of Leslie Waters, Mayor of the City of Seminole, Proclaimed October 12 as White Cane Safety Day. Ms. Springer read the proclamation acknowledging the more than 40,000 Pinellas County residents who are visually impaired and recognizing the Pinellas Council of the Blind for its commitment to expanding education and employment opportunities and improving access to daily communications and life for the citizens who have low vision.
Doug Towne, President of Access Ready, introduced Congressman Charlie Crist who expressed his gratitude to the vendors, organizations and community attending for all that they do to support individuals with visual impairments.
Following the presentations Eugene Batke, along with daughter and grandson, lead the 50+ walkers, the Saint Petersburg Lions group, and future assistance dogs of Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind from the event hall along Park Boulevard and back to Evans Hall.
Those attending the EXPO that took place throughout the morning into the afternoon were able to participate in demonstrations including screen reading software, magnifiers, electronic glasses, assistive technology, voice enabled products, and other low vision aids.
Many organizations were also present providing valuable information specifically for individuals with low vision including City of St. Petersburg, Committee to Advocate for Impairment (CAPI), Southeastern Guide Dogs, Division of Blind Services, St. Pete Designs, Office of Human Rights, Pinellas Talking Book Library, Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections, Pinellas Braille Group and others.
Also attending the event: Tom Hanson, President of South Sarasota Council of the Blind and President of Guide Dog Users of Florida; Shelia Young, President of the Florida Council of the Blind, and Dan Spoon, the President of the American Council of the Blind.
