The White Cane: A Tool of Independence

Since 1964, communities across the country have marked October as a month to recognize the skills behind safe travel and the independence a white cane supports. It is a chance to show how a simple tool unlocks safe travel and everyday independence, and how training and community support make that possible. For people who are blind or visually impaired, the white cane is more than a mobility aid. It is a symbol of confidence, independence, and freedom. With each step, it helps a person map the world through touch and sound, reduce risks, and move with assurance in places that are not always designed with accessibility in mind. The cane is practical, but it is also deeply personal. It says both I am here and I am moving forward. 

Cities across the United States have recognized the importance of the White Cane for generations. Many trace the first U.S. White Cane Safety ordinance to Peoria, Illinois, in 1930, when the Peoria City Council passed the first white cane safety law, granting people who are blind or visually impaired the right-of-way in public spaces. Then fast forward to 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation recognizing White Cane Safety Day on October 15th, helping cement October as a time to honor the skills, safety, and independence the cane supports. 

Learning to use a white cane is about more than technique, its about confidence. As Envision’s Orientation and Mobility Instructor, Ray Odis, explains, “That cane, simple as it is, that’s the key to your independence and freedom.” The cane helps restore balance, alerts people to changes in the environment, and provides the assurance needed to cross busy streets, navigate sidewalks, or enter new spaces. Ray describes three levels that guide the work: basic independence, modified independence, and total independence. The impact of the white cane is immediate and profound. Ray has seen people hesitant to even pick up a cane transform into its strongest ambassadors. “The transitions they make are always the most profound,” he said.  Street crossings become more predictable, new spaces feel more manageable, and everyday errands turn into routines rather than obstacles. 

That transformation is echoed in the experiences of people like Andy Hoffman, Envision Contact Center Manager. Hoffman did not begin using a white cane until fellow volunteers at Heather’s Camp encouraged him to try one nearly two decades ago. When his vision later decreased, he began using it full time. “Every day my life changed by using the cane,” he said. “It gives you a little more independence and more confidence. I do not need to wait for somebody or ask for assistance. I get the cane and start feeling my way around.” 

How to be an ally 

• Yield and stop when a person with a white cane or a guide dog begins to cross. 

• Ask before assisting. Offer your arm; don’t take theirs or grab the cane. 

• Keep walkways clear of scooters, signs, and low-hanging branches. 

• In crowded areas, announce yourself and your direction when passing closely. 

• Be patient at intersections; turning traffic can be hard to detect. 

• At work, ask what small changes help and keep items where they’re set. 

• Treat each person as an individual.  

• The cane is a tool; the person is the expert. 

While year-round Envision provides services that keep independence within reach, this October we are amplifying that work and turning up the spotlight with celebrations of World Blindness Awareness Month and White Cane Day. 

In Wichita, the White Cane Day Walk will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St. N. This local advocacy walk is focused on awareness and community connection. 

The momentum continues the following weekend in Dallas. The White Cane Day Walk in Dallas will take place Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dallas Zoo and serves as both a community celebration and a fundraiser supporting Envision Dallas programs and services. Learn more and register at WhiteCaneDayWalk.org. 

The month concludes with the Annual Envision Gala, A Night for Vision on October 25th at the Wichita Art Museum. The black, red, and white theme nods to the white cane and offers a formal celebration of achievement while raising critical funds that keep independence within reach across education, employment, research and rehabilitation.