Join us in the mall for International White Cane Day this Friday

Guide Dogs Queensland is holding a community awareness event in the Queen Street Mall on Friday, 15 October, to celebrate International White Cane Day.

The association will be asking the community to 'see' the world through the eyes of someone who is blind or vision impaired and to be aware of features in the city that help people with low or no vision to move around safely and independently.

As part of the event, we will host a mass walk around the Braille Trail of White Cane Users to raise awareness of the need for pedestrians to give way on the 1.6km trail.  We expect more than 20 White Cane Users to join us for the walk as a way of bringing attention to this important way-finding feature.

Guide Dogs Queensland CEO Chris Laine said Brisbane’s Braille Trail was the longest continuous Braille Trail in Australia, yet many people were unaware of its existence or purpose.

“People with sight will often block the path of a person using the Braille Trail without realizing,” Ms Laine said.

“By simply being aware of the Braille Trail and other features, and giving way to people who are blind or vision impaired, you can help them travel in a safe and dignified way.”

Hazard tiles, audio signal crossings and street signs with raised lettering and Braille compliment the Braille Trail in Brisbane’s CBD.

International White Cane Day is held around the world on 15 October each year to draw attention to the mobility needs of people who are blind or vision impaired.

Please join us in the mall from 11am - 2pm on Friday, 15 October.

In addition to the Braille Trail walk, other highlights of the day will include Chalk Artists drawing thought-provoking imagery around the trail, an Orientation and Mobility demonstration, Electronic Travel Aid display, and live music from Brisbane musicians Jack Murphy and Steve Sparrow, both of whom use a White Cane.

Click here to view the flyer. For more information contact Tony Wilson by phone: 3500 9060 or email: rehab@guidedogsqld.com.au

This event is proudly supported by Australian Weaving Mills.