FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Maria Samuels, WCBNY President
914.355.9930 President@wcbny.org
Ann Chiappetta, GDUES President
914.393.6605 anniecms64@gmail.com
BLINDNESS ADVOCATES ON THE MOVE TO PROMOTE AWARENESS AND EQUALITY
White Plains, NY October 14, 2021, 12.30pm
Renaissance Plaza, 200 Main Street, by the fountain
White Plains, NY: The Westchester Council of the Blind of New York (WCBNY) advocacy organization will gather in downtown White Plains on Thursday, October 14 at 12:30 pm, to commemorate the Nationally observed Blind Americans Equality and White Cane Safety Day. Organizations and agencies supporting blindness will also be present, including the Guide Dog Users of the Empire State (GDUES) and Visions VCB. All members of the public are encouraged to attend!
According to the vision impairment fact sheet compiled by the Centers for Disease Control, vision disability is one of the top ten disabilities among adults 18 years and older and one of the most prevalent disabling conditions among children. Even though the white cane is the primary mobility tool of the blind and visually impaired, 1% of individuals who are blind choose to partner with a guide dog.
Blind Americans Equality Day, also known traditionally as White Cane Safety Day, was first proclaimed in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, was later renamed in 2011 by President Barack Obama, and is a national day of observance in the United States traditionally celebrated on October 15 of each year. The date is set aside to celebrate the achievements of blind or visually impaired people and highlight the White Cane’s prominence as a critical tool in their mastery of independent mobility.
The group will gather at 12:30 pm on Thursday, October 14, at the Renaissance Plaza fountain, at 200 Main Street. It will proceed south on Mamaroneck Avenue, stopping at intersections to hand out literature and speak with the public. Members of the public will be given an opportunity to use a cane themselves with the assistance of a sighted partner!
“We want people to know blindness doesn’t limit us,” stated WCBNY President Maria Samuels.
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ABOUT WESTCHESTER COUNCIL OF THE BLIND OF NY (WCBNY)
WCBNY is a 501-C3 nonprofit volunteer and advocacy organization with the mission to help improve the lives of blind and visually impaired persons in Westchester county and beyond. We were founded in 2002 as a chapter of the American Council of the Blind of New York. We are the leading advocacy group in Westchester County for the blind. For more information, visit http://www.wcbny.org
ABOUT GUIDE DOG USES OF THE EMPIRE STATE (GDUES)
GDUES is a volunteer organization and special interest chapter of the American Council of the Blind of New York whose mission is to promote advocacy and independence for guide dog teams in the Empire State. For more information, visit http://www.gdues.org.