The White Cane Day
Posted on
Alexandria— The Taha Hussein Library for the Visually Impaired is organizing a symposia entitled the “The White Cane as a Tool for the Blind” On Thursday 14 December 2006. Dr. Magdy Hussein, professor of Arabic language at the University of Alexandria, Dr. Aly Ahmed El Sayed, professor of history and archeology at the University of Alexandria, and Dr. Nadia Ramadan, professor of linguistics at the University of Helwan, will deliver lectures on the white cane as a mobility tool and as a symbol of independence for blind persons. The symposia will be chaired by Dr. Mayssah El Nayal, professor of psychology, University of Alexandria.
Since white canes are used worldwide by many people who are blind or visually impaired, 15 October 1970 was declared International White Cane Safety Day for the first time by the President of the International Federation of the Blind.
Since then, it has become a day to publicize the needs and achievements of blind people everywhere.
White Cane Safety Day is celebrated in the United States on October 15th of each year since 1964. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) is taking the lead in Egypt by demonstrating the rights of the blind and visually impaired. With this symposia the BA aims at raising the awareness of blind people in Egypt, on the importance of using the canes, and to rally support of the concerned parties for our fellow visually impaired citizens.
The event is open to the public.