The white cane helps people with a visual impairment to move around independently, here we explain the origin of the International White Cane Day, what is its importance and what characteristics this instrument should have.
Having a special day allows us to reflect on the efforts we are making socially so that people with blindness or any visual impairment have full inclusion and mobilityalthough this should be taken into account throughout the year.
When is International White Cane Day and what is its history and relevance?
International White Cane Day is commemorated every October 15. This event has origin in 1980, when the World Blind Union formalized the recognition of the cane. as a emblem of autonomy and equality of opportunities.
However, there are records that, since 1964the U.S. Congress had already recognized that the white cane enabled blind people to travel independently. and safe.
The National Federation of the Blind of the United States explains that, over time, the cane is no longer seen only as an instrument of security, it is now also seen as a symbol of equality.:
"While the white cane protects blind people (as drivers and other pedestrians can easily see it), it is also a tool they use to explore and navigate our environment. For this reason, White Cane Day [...] has focused on independence and equality."
Data on people with visual impairment in Mexico
This event has relevance in the Mexican context, because According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), there were more than 2 million people with visual impairment by 2020.. Moreover, if we relate this to the work environment, based on Inegi, only 38% of people over 15 with a disability were economically active..
This allows us to reflect that it is still a challenge for people with disabilities to integrate into the labor market.. That's right, no specific figures are available as to what percentage of the 38% represents people with visual impairmentThis could be something that the next Inegi census could specify to make the situation even more evident.
What is the function of the white cane and what characteristics should it have?
The cane functions as a tool that provides autonomous mobility to people with visual impairment. Serves for indicate that the road is clear of objects or obstacles that would make it difficult to walk safely.
Canes are usually 1.05 to 1.20 meters high. (depending on the height of the person). Likewise, have a rubber grip and, on the lower part, a metal rolling lace.
Meaning of the colors of canes for visually impaired persons
There is a symbology in the colors of the canes:
- the targets are for the visually impaired;
- those who have red and white stripes are for those with deafblindness;
- the greens are for those who live with low visionthat is to say, that do not have total blindness.
What accommodations can companies make for people with visual impairment?
The first thing a company that will hire a person with visual impairment should do is to adapt the functions of your positionto ensure that can be carried out autonomously. Likewise, establish whether any task will require assistance from a colleague.
On the other hand, the company can assess whether some activities can be performed from home. This can be very functional, as the person with the disability would already be familiar with his or her space usual.
In case people had to attend the offices, if they require the support of guide dogs, ideally, spaces should be designed to accommodate them..
Have you ever thought about the relevance of the white cane in the lives of people with visual impairment?
With information from National Federation of the Blind of the United States, InegiGovernment of Mexico (1, 2) y Speak to
Research and editing by José Manuel Ríos and Mildred Pérez de la Torre
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