October 15th declared White Cane Awareness Day in Duluth

October 15 has officially been declared White Cane Awareness Day in Duluth by Mayor Roger Reinert.

The day is a time to call attention to blind and low-vision residents and the experiences they have navigating city streets.

In order to understand the challenges they face, Mayor Reinert completed a white cane walk in downtown Duluth himself, making his way along sidewalks and streets while visually impaired, with a guide from the Lighthouse Center for Vital Living.

The Mayor said the walk really highlighted the importance of aids like audio signals at crosswalks, and the dangers of misaligned curbs and uneven sidewalks.

“We talk all the time about downtown like ours is meant to be occupied by people, not by vehicles,” said Reinert. “Even walking, that was helpful for me to hear others near me. To have an idea of my place within the walkable space.”

A member of the Lighthouse Center also called attention to people who stop in the crosswalk, and the dangers that can pose to people trying to navigate.

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