Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 202 / Wednesday, October 20, 2010 / Presidential Documents 64619 

Proclamation 8588 of October 15, 2010 

White Cane Safety Day, 2010 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

The white cane, in addition to being a practical mobility tool, serves as 

a symbol of dignity, freedom, and independence for individuals who are 

blind or visually impaired. On White Cane Safety Day, our Nation celebrates 

the immeasurable contributions the Americans who use canes have made 

as valued members of our diverse country. We also examine our progress 

and recommit to full integration, equality, education, and opportunity for 

Americans with visual impairments. 

Today, students with disabilities are reaching achievements considered unattainable just a few decades ago. Many gains have been realized throughout 

our educational system, but we must accomplish more so that America’s 

technological advances and assistive tools are available for the benefit of 

all students. My Administration is committed to ensuring that electronic 

readers and other electronic equipment used by schools, including postsecondary institutions, are accessible to individuals who are blind or visually 

impaired. We are also providing guidance and technical assistance to help 

colleges and universities fully comply with the legal requirements to use 

emerging technology that is accessible to all students in the classroom. 

Blindness and visual impairments are not impediments to obtaining knowledge, and we must highlight the availability of existing tools to facilitate 

communication and work to improve access to them. Additionally, the Braille 

code opens doors of literacy and learning to countless individuals with 

visual impairments across our country and around the world, and we must 

work with advocates and leaders throughout our society to promote and 

improve Braille literacy among our students. 

Americans with disabilities are Americans first and foremost, entitled to 

both full participation in our society and full opportunity in our economy. 

My Administration is working to increase information access so Americans 

who are blind or visually impaired can fully participate in our increasingly 

interconnected world. To expand career options for people with disabilities 

in the Federal Government, I signed an Executive Order directing executive 

departments and agencies to design strategies to increase recruitment and 

hiring of these valued public servants. I was also pleased to sign the TwentyFirst Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act into law earlier 

this month to ensure that the jobs of the future are accessible to all. This 

legislation will make it easier for people who are deaf, blind, or live with 

a visual impairment to use the technology our 21st-century economy depends 

on, from navigating digital menus on a television to sending emails on 

a smart phone. 

As we observe the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities 

Act this year, my Administration reaffirms our national commitment to 

creating access to employment, education, and social, political, and economic 

opportunities for Americans with disabilities. Together with individuals who 

are blind or visually impaired, service providers, educators, and employers, 

we will uphold our country as an inclusive, welcoming place for blind 

or visually impaired people to work, learn, play, and live. 


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64620 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 202 / Wednesday, October 20, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

By joint resolution approved on October 6, 1964 (Public Law 88–628, as 

amended), the Congress designated October 15 of each year as White Cane 

Safety Day to recognize the contributions of Americans who are blind or 

have low vision. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, do hereby proclaim October 15, 2010, as White Cane Safety 

Day. I call upon all public officials, business and community leaders, educators, librarians, and Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day 

of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence 

of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. 

[FR Doc. 2010–26646 

Filed 10–19–10; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W1–P 


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