Dozens of students from Milwaukee Public Schools and other area schools joined community members from the Milwaukee area at the Milwaukee County Courthouse in October to celebrate White Cane Safety Day. Also known as Blind Americans Equality Day, October 15th was officially designated White Cane Safety Day by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Each year in October we celebrate the accomplishments of people with visual impairments and remind people of the White Cane Law, which requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians carrying white canes or using guide dogs.
At this year’s event, participants gave out bookmarks with the braille alphabet on one side and the state’s White Cane Law on the reverse. At noon there was a flash mob dance. This year’s theme was “We’re on a Mission,” inspired by the movie “The Blues Brothers.” The flash mob danced to “Shake Your Tail Feather,” a song featured in the movie. Participants wore t-shirts featuring a design inspired by the Blues Brothers.
Folks got in the swing of White Cane Day, joining in the dance at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.