Motorists urged to make way for visually impaired
The walk was to observe the annual White Cane Awareness Day.
SUPPORTERS and staff from the KwaZulu-Natal Blind & Deaf Society recently walked along the Durban promenade to raise awareness and to educate motorists about pedestrians who are visually impaired or blind.
The walk was to observe the annual ‘White Cane Awareness Day’ that acknowledges the abilities of people who are blind and to promote equal opportunities.
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Coordinator for orientation mobility at the society, Clive Govender said supporters carried placards with messages of support and urged motorists to be aware of the blind and visually impaired people on the road.
“The white cane symbolises blindness. The march was about creating awareness, letting motorists know when they see persons with visual impairment, using a cane, to make way for them because with that cane they are able to navigate and find their own way,” he said.
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He said October is Eye Care Awareness Month, commemorated from September 21 to October 18, and the local society aims to highlight the importance of eye health, specifically regarding prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness.
Since 1964, White Cane Awareness Day has been celebrated on October 15 each year. “This day is set aside to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbol of blindness and the tool of independence, the white cane,” he said.
Govender urged the public to go for regular eye check ups.
He said the KwaZulu-Natal Blind & Deaf Society offers social and rehabilitation services, orientation and mobility training for the blind training in basic computation, training in switchboard and telephony and job placement for blind and deaf persons.
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