Motorists learn safe driving habits through White Cane Awareness Day

   The blind community assembled in Hemming Plaza to bring awareness to the White Cane Law on Friday, October 14th for White Cane Awareness Day. Dozens of legally blind and visually handicapped people showed up to demonstrate to city leaders the importance of audible traffic devices. Many people do not understand the challenges that the visually impaired face. Mobility and transportation present a challenge. For someone with a visual impairment, even the simple task of crossing the street can be a harrowing ordeal. Individuals participating in White Cane Awareness Day crossed city streets equipped with audible traffic devices to petition for new devices in the city, stressing the enforcement of the White Cane Law. Present at the event were multiple volunteers from JSO, Councilman Don Redman and FSCJ's very own Amy Johnson, Orientation and Mobility Instructor for the Independent Living for adult Blind (ILAB).

The White Cane Law was a nationwide law adopted in Jacksonville in 1964 to ensure the safety of blind and visually impaired individuals while crossing city streets. The law states that vehicles and motorists must stop or yield for individuals carrying a white cane, who are often visually impaired. In essence, the white cane acts a moving yield or stop sign. Failure to obey this law can result in a fine and, in some cases, jail time. Currently, this law is being enforced more heavily in Jacksonville because of increased public awareness and training.

Cities across the United States, along with Jacksonville, are taking more action to enforce The White Cane Law. When the law was passed in the 1960s, it was not as strictly enforced as it is today due to lack of education. Recently, the law had to be reevaluated and changed to make it easier for the rising number of disabled citizens to adapt to the surrounding, ever-changing environment. In 2005 the law was rewritten to not just include the blind and/or visually impaired. The new law was extended to handicapped individuals as well, establishing Jacksonville as a model city for improvements within the disabled community. Jacksonville is currently seeking grants and funding to place more audible traffic devices in the city and make further advancements to make the city more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Improving in these specific areas will attract more disabled and visually impaired people to Jacksonville. One can see that this law is extremely beneficial in the long run; it will attract growth of the disabled population which will help our city get additional funding, allowing it to become even more compliant and serve even a larger number of individuals with disabilities. It will give disabled persons coming to Jacksonville the comfort of knowing they will live in an up-to-date city.

The White Cane Law affects a variety of people. Motorists who see a person with a white cane or a service animal should be aware that they are approaching an individual who may not see them. The law's purpose is to make the person with disabilities stand out to ensure curbside safety. It is a two way street, though, and each party is accountable for their own actions under this law. This is a law that can change people's lives drastically; it is one that keeps everyone safe and happy. If motorists know that someone is carrying a white cane or using a service animal, they will be more cautious around the visually impaired while creating a safe environment for both pedestrians and drivers.