White Cane Walk held at Dover to raise awareness about blindness
By Kyle Valentini
September 10, 2012
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Summary: Local residents including a few dignitaries got to experience the challenges of being sight-impaired at a recent fundraiser for the American Council of the Blind of Tuscarawas held Sunday afternoon at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center at Dover.
The American Council of the Blind of Tuscarawas Valley (ACB-TV) in cooperation with the Tuscarawas County Senior Center held their first-ever White Cane Walk on Sunday, Sept. 9 from 1-3 p.m. at the Senior Center at Dover in an effort to help those that can see to more fully understand the challenges the sight-impaired face each day.
The event began with ACB-TV President Carl Russo sharing information about the local chapter and their mission.
Judy Harpley, orientation and mobility specialist and independent contractor for the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired at Akron demonstrated the use of the white cane that is customarily used by the blind to assist them in navigating their environment.
White canes are made for people of all sizes and come in two inch increments to accommodate the individual. Harpley instructs children and adults and said each student learns at their own pace. Not everyone is at the same intellectual level so I can cater my instruction to the individual, said Harpley. There are different kinds of white canes and it depends on the needs of the individual when deciding on what type of cane would be best for them.
Todays event is not only a fundraiser but a means to raise awareness about the white cane and the people that use them, said Harpley. Today more than ever drivers are distracted and they need to pay more attention when they see a white cane. They need to give that person the courtesy and be patient while they find their way across the street.
Two-person teams consisting of a blind-folded walker and a helper were challenged in the pre-planned course that allowed participants to realize the obstacles the sight-impaired face every time they leave their homes.
Ohio State Representative for the 96th District, Al Landis along with his wife Debby took part in the demonstration. Belle Everett, a Warwick Township Trustee and Dover City Councilman, Shane Gunnoe also participated in the event.
Landis seemed confident but described feeling disoriented once his sight was impaired. With cane in hand he was able to distinguish the curb and sidewalk. Debby Landis said she followed the sound of the voices in front of her to help her stay on course. Gunnoe said he continually veered to the right despite attempts to stay in a straight line. Everett, guided by Sam Moats of Akron and is sight-impaired, stayed on course but walked considerably slower than she would have had her sight not been impaired.
The idea that sight-impaired people have heightened senses is a fallacy, said Harpley. The average blind person becomes more practiced and learns to use their other senses like touch, smell and hearing to help them navigate their world.
The white cane came into use after World War II left many veterans sight-impaired. Once heavy and made of steel, the canes are now lightweight and made of aluminum. At a cost of about $50, the canes are durable and can last for many years.
According to the World health Organization 39 million people are blind and another 246 million have low vision. Uncorrected refractive errors are the main cause of visual impairment and the leading cause of blindness in middle and low-income countries is cataracts.
The mission of the ACB-TV is to improve the lives of the visually impaired through the promotion of independence, socialization, interaction with the sighted community and advocacy. For more information about the non-profit organization or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit them at 630 Jordan Dr. NW at New Philadelphia or call (330) 343-1717. Their web site is www.acb-tusc.org/.
