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2011 TARRANT COUNTY WHITE CANE DAY WALK
White Cane Day is a national day of recognition happening annually on October 15th. This year, Tarrant County community partners celebrated the importance of the white cane with a White Cane Day Walk on October 13th. It was the largest gathering since the walk began in Tarrant County, and significant to the gathering was the increased participation of young people thanks to several surrounding school districts.
Paramount to the success of the walk was the liberal gesture from the The T. Under the direction of Dick Ruddell, President/Executive Director, and the coordination by Laurie Brown, Director of Paratransit Services, 3 busses provided transportation for all walkers from the Lighthouse to point of origin for the walk and returned them to the Lighthouse at the conclusion.
The walk started from Burnett Park. We were honored to have Fort Worth City Councilman Dennis Shingleton, District 7, participate in the walk under blindfold and with a white cane. Also joining Councilman Shingleton under blindfold was Steve Townsend who was representing the Office of County Commissioner J.D. Johnson, Precinct 4. Janet Saltsgiver, chair of the Mobility Impaired Transportation Service Advisory Committee, also walked and made some opening remarks to the group.
Upon their return to the Lighthouse, everyone enjoyed Domino’s pizza, tasty cookies and bottled water, courtesy of Domino’s Pizza, Fiesta #64 Grocery Store and City Market/Burleson. A special highlight of the day’s activities included the participation of several students sharing in writing, art and orally their thoughts on “What Independent Travel Means to Me”. Melanie White provided a PowerPoint presentation on accessible pedestrian crosswalks. Thanks also to the Simba and the local Lions Clubs for their participation.
Collaborating partners for this annual White Cane Day Walk are:
American Council of the Blind National Federation of the Blind
Division for Blind Services Prevent Blindness Fort Worth
Education Service Center Region XI SOARING
Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth The T
Local Lions Clubs
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