A long white cane is more than an adaptive tool to help people who are blind walk on city sidewalks. Members of the Central Kansas Association for the Visually Impaired want sighted people — especially those who are driving — to be aware of what a white cane is for.
“People think the white cane is for the person who is blind to navigate, but it also tells the person who sees you that you can’t see and to be aware,” said Paul Berscheidt, Great Bend. That is especially important at intersections where motorists are allowed to make a right-hand turn on a red light.

Today is White Cane Safety Day, an international observance celebrated on Oct. 15 of each year since 1964. Its purposes are to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and to acknowledge and pay tribute to the long white cane, a critically important mobility tool and potent symbol of independence.
In 2011, White Cane Safety Day was also declared Blind Americans Equality Day by President Barack Obama.
Berscheidt said the local CKAVI support group has observed the day by distributing brochures in the community to raise awareness. For example, motorists should know that Kansas traffic laws state, “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any blind pedestrian carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by a guide dog.”
“I’ve had vision impairment all my life,” said Berscheidt, who gave up driving five years ago. He has found adaptive tools through research, something CKAVI offers. “There are thousands of things out there in the technology world to help people who can’t see. My phone talks to me and I use magnifiers on my computer.”
One of the biggest challenges for people with vision problems is transportation. Cracks in the sidewalks — and sidewalks that suddenly end — are also problems for walkers.
CKAVI members have worked with the City of Great Bend to identify intersections where audible crosswalk signals have been installed: 24th and Main, Broadway and Main, and K-96 and Broadway.
At least one Great Bend resident uses a long white cane, a tool developed during, and immediately after, World War II to help war-blinded soldiers travel independently.
“Most canes used by blind people are white, but they are also available in red, black, yellow and blue,” said Dona Sauerburger, a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. “When used properly, a cane can provide information and protection, regardless of its color — it does not have to be white to be effective. However, only a white cane identifies the user as a person who is blind or has low vision. This can be an important consideration when crossing streets and requesting information from store clerks, bus drivers and the general public. It’s likely that people will be more willing to help if they realize you’re asking for information because you are blind or have low vision.”

The Central Kansas Association for the Visually Impaired support group meets at 1 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at Great Bend Senior Center, 2005 Kansas Ave. For more information call 617-8980 or 793-5645.