“’White Cane Day’ should make us consider seriously what is to be done to help blind and visually impaired persons live a full and independent life,” said Labour Spokesperson for Disabled Persons Justyne Caruana in a press statement.
She said that today the ‘white cane’ is certainly not enough to help blind people live a full life in an inclusive society. She called on government to refurbish the Centre for Visually Impaired Persons, to open up more areas of information and knowledge through Braille and to make buildings more accessible for these people.
Justyne Caruana said that blind and visually impaired people need guide-dogs to enable them to develop their potential. “But these cost a lot of money”
The Malta Guide Dog Association says it costs around €14,000 to train one dog, and that dog can then be expected to work as a guide for around seven to eight years: “As a result, a phenomenal amount of money is involved, even in the lifetime of just one blind person. Over 1,500 visually impaired people are currently waiting for guide dogs in Malta.”
The World Health Organization estimates that there are 45 million blind people and 135 million visually impaired people worldwide. 75% of blindness could have been avoided as 90% live in developing countries and malnourishment has impaired their sight.
90 years ago photographer James Biggs from Bristol, UK, was the first to use a walking white stick after he became blind after an accident and was uncomfortable with the amount of traffic around his home.
In 1964 US President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed October 15 of each year as ‘White Cane Safety Day’.
