Pursuant to Republic Act No. 6759, White Cane Safety Day is observed annually in the Philippines on August 1 to instill public awareness of the plight of the blind, promote recognition and acceptance of the white cane as a symbol of the need of visually impaired individuals for specific assistance, and remind every Filipino of the duty to care for and accord due respect to the sight-impaired. The day’s theme this year is “White Cane: Gabay ng May Kapansanan sa Paningin, Bigyan ng Pansin.”

The Department of Education, the Department of Health, and the Philippine Information Agency have taken the lead in the conduct of a continuing education and information campaign to address the theme and objectives of the year’s celebration.

The use of the white cane originated in the United States and the Philippines adopted the celebration to serve as the opening of National Sight Saving Month. The use of the cane, staff, and stick dates back to Biblical times. They were used as tools for solitary travel; the blind used them to alert them to any obstacle in their path. An artist, James Brigg of Bristol, claims to have invented the white cane in 1921. Sources have it that he met an accident that claimed his eyesight so he had to adjust to his environment. Threatened by the busy vehicle traffic around his home, riggs decided to paint his walking stick while to make himself easily visible to motorists.

As we observe White Cane Safety Day on Sunday, let us exert efforts to make the condition of the visually impaired more bearable. Let us accord them respect and dignity, as well as endeavor to initiate projects and activities that will help them to continue being contributing members of society.