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CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, Department of Health Services, 608-266-1683
DRIVERS SHOULD WATCH FOR PEOPLE
WHO ARE VISUALLY-IMPAIRED
October 15th is White Cane Safety Day
MADISON - The Department of Health Services is encouraging drivers
to watch out for pedestrians carrying a white cane or using a dog guide.
Wisconsin law requires drivers to stop at least 10 feet from a pedestrian
carrying a white cane or using a dog guide who is attempting to cross a
street.
“White Cane Safety Day reminds us to be respectful of pedestrians who
are blind or visually impaired, not only today, but every day of the year,”
said Secretary Karen Timberlake. “While most drivers watch for
pedestrians, the White Cane Law helps make sure that drivers stop at least
10 feet away so that people who are vision-impaired can cross the road
safely.”
People who are blind or visually impaired can be identified by a cane
or walking stick that is white in color or white trimmed with red that is
held in an extended or raised position. Dog guides are another indicator.
There are approximately 200,000 individuals who are blind or visually
impaired in Wisconsin.
To receive additional information about white cane safety, please
contact the Department’s Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired at
888-879-0017.
Additional organizations of and for the blind and visually impaired
include:
- County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Directory is
available at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ltcare/Generalinfo/RCs.htm
- County Tribal and Aging Offices are listed at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aging/contacts/COAGOF.htm
- Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired,
800-783-5213, http://www.wcblind.org/
- Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, 877-258-9200,
http://www.badgerassoc.org/
- Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped,
800-242-882 http://dpi.wi.gov/rll/wrlbph/index.html
- American Foundation for the Blind, 800-232-5463, www.afb.org
- American Council of the Blind, 800-424-8666, www.acb.org
- National Federation of the Blind, 410-659-9314, http://www.nfb.org
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Last Revised: July 12, 2010 |
