WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY

LENI B. BELTRAN

To support the efforts of the present administration in promoting good governance through respect and realization of all human rights, the Department of Education (DepEd) through the Bureau of Learning Delivery-Student Inclusion Division (BLD-SID), recently celebrated the 2018 White Cane Safety Day.

The theme is “Puting Baston: Simbolo ng Pagkilala sa Talento at Kasanayan ng mga may Kapansanan sa Paningin”. The celebration is pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 6759, declaring August 1 of Every Year as White Cane Safety Day.

The celebration commenced with activities celebrating Sight Saving Month in August. The activities aimed to serve as a vehicle of information on the continuing development of programs implemented through partnerships between public and private sectors to realize the rights and fundamental freedom of people who are blind and with low vision; promote recognition and acceptance of the white cane as a symbol of mobility and safety for people who are blind and with low vision; strengthen and protect the physical, moral and social well-being of people who are blind and with low vision.

The following relevant activities may be conducted at the regional levels through the initiative of the Special Education (SPED) regional supervisor or focal person, in cooperation with other government organizations, nongovernment organizations, civic organizations, and white cane interagency committee throughout the month of August and beyond: showcasing of talents of blind and low vision learners; sharing of information on best practices concerning the education of the visually impaired by inviting blind learners or educators as resource persons and other professionals working for the blind and those with low vision; holding of symposia, fora, workshops, panel discussions and sports, arts and cultural activities relevant to the prevention and rehabilitation of blindness; and holding of academic contests in Braille reading and writing, quiz bee, and other activities which highlight the talents, skills and rights of the visually impaired learners.

All SPED centers, and public and private schools with SPED programs are encouraged to observe the White Cane Safety Day with appropriate activities. However, activities to be undertaken should not disrupt classes as stipulated in DepEd Order No. 9, s. 2005 entitled Instituting Measures to Increase Engaged Time-on-Task and Ensuring Compliance Therewith.

— oOo—

The author is Teacher III at Lubao Elementary School, San Nicolas 1st, Lubao, Pampanga