The Blind mark 40th anniversary of the White Cane

Accra, Oct. 15, GNA - Members of the Ghana Association of the Blind (GAB) on Wednesday went on a float to mark the 40th anniversary of the International White Cane Safety Day which falls on October 15 every year.

The float, took them through some principal streets of Accra with Police guide.

The Day is being celebrated under the theme: "Participation and Inclusion of the Blind and Partially Impaired into Society."

Dr Bashiru Koray, President of GAB, said the theme was chosen to stress on the need that the Blind should not be denied access to information, services, activities and documentation.

He said the day was set aside to draw public attention to the significance of the white cane to the Blind and the Partially Sighted. He said that, even though, the white canes were vital for the mobility of the Blind, their prices of 25,000 cedis for the rigid and 41,000 cedis for folding types put them beyond the means of most of the Blind.

Dr Koray said the canes were not of much use in Ghana because of the way roads were constructed with open gutters, street pavements and other problems.

He reiterated the appeal of the Blind not to delay the passing of the disability Bill, which is before Parliament. He said although some of the Blind were not in school about 50 of them have gained admission into the tertiary institutions with 12 of them at the University of Ghana, Legon.