NEW YORK STATE — The New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) recently recognized White Cane Awareness Day.

The event is meant to educate the public on state laws requiring motorists to yield to blind pedestrians and to highlight how the long, white cane offers increased independence and mobility for blind or low-vision people.

NYSCB, a division of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), assists New Yorkers of all ages who are legally blind or deafblind to live independent and productive lives by providing vocational counseling, advocacy, rehabilitation training and employment services, the agency said.

“The Commission for the Blind provides valuable services that promote the ability of blind and low vision individuals to live full and productive lives,” OCFS commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said. “White Cane Day is a great way to highlight the needs of these individuals and remind motorists to be careful to ensure their safety.”

The day highlights traffic safety initiatives, such as Yield to the Blind street signs.

“Pedestrians are among our most vulnerable users of our roadways, and the blind and low-vision individuals are even more at risk,” said New York State DMV acting commissioner Christian Jackstadt. “Under Gov. Hochul’s leadership, DMV prioritizes the safety of all roadway users, and it is critical that drivers and cyclists remain vigilant of their surroundings and watch out for pedestrians. If you see someone using a white cane, please slow down, exercise caution and give that person the right of way.”

Under New York State law, only people who are blind or have low vision are permitted to use a long cane that is metallic, white, or white with a red tip on any street or highway. The white cane is meant to be a prominent signal that the person using it is blind or visually impaired. Vehicles must come to a complete stop and grant the person who is blind or visually impaired the right of way when they are approaching an intersection or crosswalk.

“Using a white cane provides individuals the ability to travel safely and independently, which then helps enable them to live productive lives in the community,” said Julie Hovey, OCFS associate commissioner for NYSCB. “White Cane Awareness Day is celebrated each year in October to increase the public’s awareness of this important mobility aid. The Commission for the Blind is proud to support blind and low-vision New Yorkers and provide them with the skills and resources needed to move around their neighborhoods, function independently in their homes and secure employment.”

Individuals who are blind or have low vision learn how to use a white cane by working with orientation and mobility specialists. The white cane helps the person detect obstacles, drop-offs and surface changes while also identifying someone as having vision loss.

“About 85-90 percent of individuals using a white cane have residual vision they can use to help them navigate their environments, including stairs, escalators, sidewalks, country roads, bus travel and street crossings,” Hovey added.

NYSCB provides services each year to thousands of New Yorkers who are blind or have low vision. In federal fiscal year 2024-25, NYSCB’s vocational rehabilitation program served 4,138 New Yorkers, with 389 of those participants placed in employment. Additional services were provided to 3,892 older blind individuals and 1,524 children, while 61 vendors were employed under the Business Enterprise Program.