32 PWD-trainees go malling on White Cane Safety Day
AVRC II sighted personnel were blindfolded to experience how to be blind
THIRTY-TWO visually-impaired trainees at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC II) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) joined the celebration of White Cane Safety Day.
White Cane Safety Day is a yearly celebration to promote and protect the physical, moral and social well-being of all persons with disabilities (PWDs).
In preparation for the mall tour, personnel from AVRC II gave a lecture on the basic sighted guide techniques, mobility cane and its correct usage.
The trainees and DSWD 7 staff participated in the simulation activity at the AVRC II compound.
In the simulation, the sighted individuals were blindfolded for them to experience how difficult it is to be blind.
The members of AVRC II staff also experienced eating their lunch and washing their dishes while blindfolded.
The event ended with a mall tour that provided an opportunity for the visually-impaired trainees to be exposed in three malls in Metro Cebu. The trainees were grouped into three and they went to Robinsons Galleria Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu and Park Mall. They were escorted by DSWD staff.
They experienced taking the escalator and elevator and toured the different areas of the mall.
During the tour, the trainees were also oriented on the locations of the comfort rooms for them to know how to use the modern toilet facilities.
They also interacted with the sales ladies and cashiers, and had the chance to purchase items on their own.
“Prior to my arrival in AVRC II, I refused to use the cane due to shame. Now, I realize how important it is because it serves as my protection from danger while walking on the street,” said Jeryll Aurello, a visuallyimpaired trainee of AVRC II.
The use of the white cane dates back to 1921 when a Bristol photographer named James Biggs used it to help him move around after he lost his vision in an accident.
He chose the white cane so that even at night, he would be visible to pedestrians and motorists.
The white cane is a symbol of greater mobility for the visually impaired and of their full participation in the community.