OCTOBER 6, 2022 Next MCAB meeting
Meeting date: October 6, 2022
The first Thursday of each MONTH.
Hello one and all happy autumn, coming this month blind white cane day, and Halloween.
Meeting place: Terry’s Mini Mall
Location: 300 N Wood River Ave. wood River Illinois 620953.
Meeting time: 6:30PM TO 8:30PM
Come in early, and do a little shopping around the store.
After our meeting, we will be having our regular cookie social time,
Come to our next Madison County association of the blind (MCAB)meeting, and see what we are doing to help those people in our community, who are blind, or legally blind in need of our help and services. What, if anything can we do to help you?
Note to members: annual dues are coming due soon. $20.00 (January, February, march) after March $25.00
We, now have an office/training center. Which is located at 300 N. Wood River Ave. Wood River Illinois 62095
White canes were introduced in the 1930s as a way of assisting visually impaired pedestrians to travel independently. They also helped motorists identify and yield to people using the white cane, and their use has been protected by law in the United States since that time. White Cane Safety Day, October 15, was established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson in an effort to raise awareness of people who carry a white cane.
What is the White Cane Law?
“A totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a predominately white cane (with or without a red tip), or using a guide dog, shall have the right-of-way. The driver of any vehicle approaching this pedestrian, who fails to yield the right-of-way, or to take all responsibility necessary precautions to avoid injury to this blind pedestrian, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) no more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both. This section shall not preclude prosecution under any other applicable provision of law.” – Vehicle Code #21963
- Stop your car at least 5ft. from a crosswalk. Pedestrians who are visually impaired or blind may use the sound of your engine to locate crosswalk boundaries. If any part of your car is in the crosswalk, they may misjudge the safe area.
- Avoid honking at individuals using a white cane. People who are blind or visually impaired have no idea why you are honking.
- It is okay to ask if assistance is needed. Ask the person who is blind or visually impaired for permission before trying to assist. If the person asks you to help guide them, offer your arm. They will hold your arm just above the elbow to follow your path
For more information, call us at: (618)216-2790 cell phone: (618)600-9388