Sighted people 'stepped into the shoes' of the blind for White Cane Day

Saturday, 15 October 2022

Today, on the occasion of the International White Cane Day, the Union of the Blind in Bulgaria held an event under the slogan "Stepping into our shoes". It took place in front of the Monument of Freedom and was attended by many members of the organization, as well as representatives of the Ruse Municipality, the National Association of the Blind - Deaf, the Youth Parliament and the Lions Club Ruse Sexaginta prista.

The organizers of the event acquainted the attendees with the history of the holiday, which is celebrated every year on October 15. This was followed by a demonstration involving sighted people who had masks placed over their eyes. By means of a white cane, they had to walk along a certain route so they could get a better feel of what it was like not to see. The volunteers also "stepped into the shoes" of the blind, playing several games of Braille / tactile / chess.

The presidents of the two organizations in support of the visually impaired - Rositsa Marinova and Vladimir Marinov, thanked everyone who attended the event and wished more employers to hire people in their situation.

"Your members have long proven their qualities and indomitable spirit, participating in a number of events and achieving success in various fields," said Katya Petrova, Director of the Directorate of Humanitarian Activities at Ruse Municipality. She also congratulated them for their courage and fighting hearts.

International White Cane Day has been celebrated since 1969 by the International Federation of the Blind to draw the attention of the international community to the problems of the visually impaired. In 1921, James Biggs, a photographer from Bristol, UK, went blind after an accident. There was heavy traffic in the area where he lived.

That's why he painted the cane he used to help him get around the area white. In this way, the aid became more noticeable.

In 1980 the day was celebrated for the first time in Bulgaria with events organized by the Union of the Blind in Bulgaria.

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