People who have low vision or blindness use a variety of techniques to travel safely and effectively within their environment whether that be their home or the world outside their door. During October, Braille Institute is working to raise awareness about Orientation and Mobility (O&M).

Among events being held throughout Southern California, Braille Institute Santa Barbara will mark National White Cane Safety Day on Oct. 15. Braille Institute students and guests will walk along the waterfront to raise awareness of White Cane Safety. The event runs 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. starting at the Stearn’s Wharf Dolphin Fountain at the State Street and Cabrillo Boulvard.

Community members are invited to join the group for a picnic lunch at the end of the walk.

Since 1964, White Cane Safety Day has been recognizing the white cane as a tool of independence. The white cane was developed in the 1930s with O&M techniques and formal training developed after World War II to help returning service members who were blind or visually impaired. In 1960, the first university program began to train O&M specialists.

“Not only do we have the opportunity to help our students who are visually impaired build skills through training and preparation for real life travel situations, but we also get to help create learning experiences for friends and family, volunteers and the whole community,” said Keema McClung, Braille Institute O&M specialist.

On Oct. 19, Braille Institute will host its 10th annual Cane Quest event, an O&M competition for youth in grades 3-12 who are blind or visually impaired. The event is held at California State University Los Angeles and safely challenges students to complete routes around campus using proper travel techniques and appropriate white cane skills.

You don’t have to be blind or visually impaired to benefit from Orientation and Mobility techniques. Learn tips and techniques to be a “human guide,” a person who helps guide someone who is visually impaired through their surroundings such as crossing a street or going through an office doorway. These simple tips can be used by anyone and can be found at brailleinstitute.org.

Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization that has been transforming the lives of those who are visually impaired for 100 years. It offers hundreds of programs and services, all free, at seven centers and 300 community outreach locations in Southern California. Each year Braille Institute serves some 37,000 people of all ages. For more, visit brailleinstitute.org.

— Meaghan M. Cox for Braille Institute.