Tools for Independence
People all around the world are taking time this week
to celebrate White Cane Day. Here in the U.S., we
celebrate the white cane both as a tool and a symbol
of independence every October 15th.
Natalie Jaffee writes:
"It may have seemed long at the time, but, as
evolutions go, the white cane's journey from "tsk,
tsk" to "good for you" took only 34 years in the U.S.
-- from the first White Cane Ordinance in Illinois in
December 1930 (giving blind pedestrians the
right-of-way while carrying a white cane) to October
6, 1964, when a joint resolution of Congress
proclaimed that October 15 of every year would be
White Cane Safety Day. By then, the white cane had
become the symbol of blind persons' ability to come
and go on their own. So it remains today."
People in Florida get together each year to make
motorists aware of the White Cane Law. Their driver
awareness program reminds people that all vehicles are
required to stop anytime a person with a white cane or
guide dog is attempting to cross the street.
You can read about their event at
http://tinyurl.com/ylnxphh
Karen Montagnese, co-president of the Long Island
Chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness writes
about her experience learning to use a white cane. She
describes it as "...a life lesson in acceptance."
You can read Karen's article in the Glen Cove Record
Pilot at http://tinyurl.com/yjya7x2
Internships are another kind of tool to help people
gain independence -- the economic kind. Lighthouse
International is working in partnership with a growing
number of New York City-based corporations to identify
internship opportunities for students who are visually
impaired.
Students interested in applying for internships
through Lighthouse International can find the criteria
for selection, important dates and online application at
http://www.esight.org/forward.cfm?pid=320
Please share this information with anyone you know who
can benefit from it.
Then, I encourage you to share your "tools for
independence" suggestions with other eSight
members by replying to this question:
What other tools for gaining independence have you
found particularly helpful for people with visual impairments?
Share the information you have by posting it at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1661
Read all the postings from eSight members at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1660
Invite your friends and acquaintances to submit their
comments at http://esight.lighthouse.org/net/
Did someone forward you this newsletter? If so,
welcome. I invite you to subscribe and join the eSight
community at http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=416
Jim Hasse
Senior Content Developer
eSight Careers Network
http://www.esight.org/
This week's quote:
"...The white cane has given them (people using
the white cane) the freedom to travel
independently to their schools and workplaces and
to participate more fully in the life of their
communities. It reminds us that the only barriers
against people with disabilities are
discriminatory attitudes and practices that our
society has too often placed in their way."
- President Bill Clinton (Oct. 15, 2000)
PS: Abilitylinks Virtual Job Fair open until 10/16/09 at
http://tinyurl.com/ygy59kk
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Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading
non-profit organization dedicated to fighting vision
loss through prevention, treatment and empowerment. It
achieves this through clinical and rehabilitation
services, education, research and advocacy.
For more information about vision loss and its causes,
contact Lighthouse International at 1-800-829-0500 or
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