: Mumbai, October 16, 2024

The Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan) [AYJNISHD (D)] observed World White Cane Day today, with a focus on promoting accessibility, inclusion, and public awareness for persons with disabilities. This year’s theme, ‘Promoting Inclusion: Celebrating Abilities and Advocating Access for People’, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the capabilities of individuals with disabilities and advocating for their right to accessible environments.

For people with visual impairments, the white cane is more than just a tool for mobility; it symbolizes independence, freedom, and confidence. World White Cane Day, celebrated annually on October 15th, seeks to highlight the importance of the white cane in empowering visually impaired individuals to navigate their surroundings with autonomy and dignity. As part of the celebration, an orientation program was conducted at 4 p.m. for students, staff, and families of persons with disabilities.

The session on ‘Navigating Independence: Celebrating White Cane Day and Empowering Individuals with Visual Impairment’ featured an expert talk by Mrs Jayshree Thakur from the Department of Education at the National Association for the Blind, Mumbai. Mrs Thakur demonstrated and discussed the concept of orientation, mobility. Besides she shared the significance of the white cane and shared valuable insights on how the public can support visually impaired individuals in a respectful and inclusive manner. Mrs Thakur highlighted the fact that we use our senses of hearing, smell, and touch to explore and understand the world around us. The white cane, in effect, makes our hands and arms longer, so that we can assess the situation, and move quickly and confidently. The white cane allows us to avoid obstacles, find steps and curbs, locate and step over cracks or uneven places in the sidewalk, find doorways, get into cars and buses, and much more.

[AYJNISHD (D)] staff, students and family members of persons with disabilities, attended the session.

 

 

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