White Cane Safety Day Discussed on AM Minnesota 10-3-2017

Minnesota State Academy for the Blind (MSAB) Director John Davis and MSAB student Rocky Hart stop by KDHL for AM Minnesota Tuesday.

"The mission of White Cane Day is to educate the world about blindness and how the blind and visually impaired can live and work independently while giving back to their communities.

To celebrate the abilities and successes achieved by blind people in a sighted world and honor the many contributions being made by the blind and visually impaired."

That's what the MSAB website says about White Cane Day.

Through some research i found out the first White Cane law was passed in Peoria, Illinois in December 1930 and was championed by the local Lions Club chapter.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the first National law touted by the National Federation of the Blind in 1964.

The White Cane is a symbol of independence and the day has also been called Blind Americans Equality Day.

That's because the law deals with more than just honoring someone with a white cane at an intersection.

Minnesota State Statute 169.202 states "It shall be unlawful for any person to carry a  white painted cane unless said person is a blind person."

Subdivision 2 states: "A blind pedestrian has the right-of-way.  Any person operating a motor vehicle in this state shall bring such motor vehicle to a stop and give the right-of-way at any intersection of any street, avenue, alley or other public highway to a blind pedestrian who is carrying a cane predominately white or metallic in color, with or without red tip, or using a guide dog, when such blind person enters said intersection."

A violation is a petty misdemeanor.

We will go over specifics at 9:30 a.m.

If you can't tune in at that time go to www.youtube.com/KDHLRadio and watch the program at your leisure.