The “White Cane Safety Day” celebration which is being celebrated every 1st Day of August is based on RA 6759 “White Cane Act” to instill public awareness of the plight of the our visually impaired persons, promote recognition and acceptance of the “white cane” as a symbol of the need of the sector for specific assistance and as a reminder of the individual’s duty to care for and accord due respect to a person with visual impairment. This year’s theme “P.R.O.-White Cane” (Promote, Recognition and Observance-White Cane) is to advocate public awareness using the symbol of the white cane, and the need to recognize the talents and skills of visually impaired persons (VIPs) as productive members of society.

This year’s celebration has fourfold aims, to 1.) conduct a celebration that would highly impact on the lives of persons with visual impairment; 2.) showcase the talents/skills, best practices and success stories of persons with visual impairment; 3.) raise public awareness on the significance of the white cane; and 4.) give recognition to champions of the rights persons with visual impairment.

To spearhead this year’s celebration is being chaired by the Parents Advocated for Visually Impaired Children (PAVIC) is the Chair in sync with government, non-government and people’s organizations

The celebration will be held at the sector’s favorite “PWD-friendly Mall”, SM North Annex, 4th Floor, Cyberzone, and will top bill by no less than a popular actor Mr. Jericho Rosales. Mr. Rosales once portrayed a visually impaired person in one of his teleseryes. The whole day event will start with a video presentation of the previous yearly celebrations of “White Cane Safety Day” followed by showcase of the different talents of visually impaired children and exciting fun games. Also featured simultaneously are sports activities for visually impaired persons including a DAISY (talking computer) demo.

To cap the day’s event, 10 VIPs with outstanding achievements will be honored for showing exemplary ability and character to develop their potentials which they used in the service of the sector, community and the rest of the society. They will be given awards including cash incentives. Moreover, several white canes, talking watches and freebies shall also be given to selected persons with disabilities and winners of sports and fun games.