Remember history. Advance equality. Celebrate accomplishments. Formerly known as Meet the Blind Month, the National Federation of the Blind celebrates the organized blind movement during October. Throughout the month, our members conduct a variety of outreach activities in their local communities. Many of these activities center on White Cane Awareness Day which is October 15.
Upcoming October Events
Attend one of the following free events. Some may require registration. Share your experience on social media using the hashtag #BlindMonth.
- October 9: Presidential Release Live from DC.
- October 27: Accessibility boutique: Using AI tools for Employment
- October 28: Virtual Career Fair. (Register as a Employer.)
- October 30: Where the Blind Work: Arts and Entertainment
Gift-Matching Campaign
HumanWare and an anonymous donor will match every dollar contributed, up to a total of 50,000 dollars. During the week of White Cane Awareness Day, an additional match will triple your contribution. Your investment in the National Federation of the Blind helps us support opportunities for all blind people.
Contribute to the Gift Match Campaign
White Cane Awareness Day
The National Federation of the Blind celebrates White Cane Awareness Day every year on October 15. For blind people, the white cane is an essential tool that gives us the ability to achieve a full and independent life. It allows us to move freely and safely from place to place—whether it's at work, at school, or around our neighborhoods.
White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation
Anyone can encourage their local government to issue a White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation. This is a great way to involve your local community and educate the public about the blind. Please print out either the White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation (HTML) or the White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation (Word) and share it with your local administration.
Courtesy Rules of Blindness
Our sighted friends often ask for advice regarding what they should do or say when meeting a blind person. Blind people are ordinary people, so please don't be nervous around us. We are also highly capable people, so please don’t grab our arms, our canes, or our guide dogs if we haven't asked you to do so. For more tips, read our courtesy rules of blindness.
Activities Across the Country
October 4 – NFB of Pennsylvania, Greater Philadelphia Chapter
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter will have an informational table at the 8th Annual My Purple Path Walk/Fair in Collingdale, PA, from noon to 4:00 p.m.
October 11 – NFB of Arkansas, Central Chapter
The Central Chapter of the NFB of Arkansas will host a community event on Saturday, October 11. Bring comfortable walking shoes and join us at 5:30 p.m. on the Little Rock side of the Clinton Library pedestrian bridge.
We will walk across the bridge and back to celebrate Blind Equality Achievement Month followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant. Help us create more awareness about our organization by planning on participating and share with others about this event.
October 11 – NFB of California, San Joaquin County
The San Joaquin County Chapter of the NFB of California will hold its 7th Annual White Cane Awareness Walk & Celebration on Saturday, October 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Stockton, CA, in collaboration with Lions Clubs and the San Joaquin Regional Transit District.
- 11–12 p.m.: Informational booths and sensory activities, including the "White Cane Wander" blindfolded navigation experience.
- 12–12:30 p.m.: White Cane Awareness Day proclamation ceremony (north of the driveway at the northwest corner of Pacific Ave. & Yokuts Ave. at San Joaquin Delta College, 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95207).
- 12:30–1 p.m.: Group walk from Delta College to Mountain Mike’s Pizza, 1000 W. Robinhood Dr., Stockton.
- 1–2 p.m.: Fundraiser at Mountain Mike’s Pizza. Mention NFB, and 35% of sales will be donated to the chapter. The fundraiser runs all day, 9:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
October 11 – NFB of Mississippi, Jackson Chapter
Members of the Jackson Chapter of the NFB of Mississippi affiliate will be at Wal-Mart in Ridgeland, MS on Saturday, October 11, 2025, passing out literature and sharing information about blindness and our organization.
October 11 – NFB of Pennsylvania, Greater Philadelphia Chapter
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter will have an informational table at the Wingohocking Neighbors Day/Resource Fair in Philadelphia, PA, from noon to 4:00 p.m.
October 12 – NFB of Mississippi, Northwest Chapter
Minister Wanda McKinney, chapter president, presented detailed information about the NFB at New Rock Hill Church in Sardis, MS. New Rock Hill Church has adopted the Northwest Chapter of the NFB as a local mission and donates to the Chapter annually.
October 15 – NFB of Louisiana
The Mayor of the City of Lake Charles, LA signed a proclamation in recognition of White Cane Awareness Day.
October 15 – NFB of Mississippi, Northwest Chapter
Wanda McKinney, chapter president and school counselor conducted a White Cane Day classroom activity in at Como Primary School in Como, MS. Students were informed about White Cane Awareness Day, the parts of the cane, the importance of what the cane signifies to drivers and other sighted individuals, and what the red stripes represents. Students were also allowed to complete a coloring activity and walk with a cane.
October 17 – NFB of Pennsylvania, Greater Philadelphia Chapter
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter will be attending an event demonstrating the Accessibility features of the Voting machines at the Park Tower Apartments in Philadelphia from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
October 18 – NFB of Indiana, Lafayette chapter
The Lafayette chapter of the NFB of Indiana is hosting a white cane event on October 18 in Lafayette, Indiana at the Tippecanoe County Library on South Street. We will demonstrate the white cane, reading and writing of Braille, access technology, a guide dog, and low-vision aids.
October 18 – NFB of Maryland, Greater Baltimore Chapter
Volunteers from the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland will staff a water stop to hydrate runners participating in the Baltimore Running Festival. Standing on Cathedral Street with our white canes and guide dogs, we will, for the fourth year in a row, distribute water, Gatorade, and encouragement to these thirsty athletes, demonstrating that living the lives we want includes extending our hands and hearts to special events and other aspects of community life.
October 18 –NFB of Maryland, Sligo Creek Chapter
Saturday, October 18, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, First-floor meeting room
Please join the Montgomery County Library Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Sligo Creek Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in a discussion of The Story of My Life by Helen Keller. We will discuss her achievements and the setbacks she experienced, as well as her participation in the world around her.
The Story of My Life, By Helen Keller, is available in print and e-book at Montgomery County Public Libraries and in Braille and audio formats on BARD.
October 18 – NFB of Mississippi, Tupelo Chapter
The Tupelo Chapter will host a Blind Awareness Health Fair on Saturday, October 18, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at North Green Street Church of Christ, 1018 North Green Street, Tupelo, MS 38804.
Chapter president Necy Spratt can be reached at 662-346-9515 or by email at [email protected].
October 18 – NFB of Pennsylvania, Greater Philadelphia Chapter
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter will have an informational table at the 4th Annual Women Healed for a Purpose Conference (House of Glory, Philadelphia, PA) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
October 21 – NFB of Nebraska
Noon–1:00 p.m. and 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Nebraska History Museum
131 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508
The Nebraska History Month is offering a presentation called, “Touch History, Experience Art”. Attendees will learn about the creation of the 3-D tactile model of the Pershing Mural, a piece of accessible art.
You can watch an interview about the Perishing Mural on Pure Nebraska after the live broadcast on October 16 and 19.
October 2025 – NFB of Mississippi, Jackson Chapter
Throughout October, a member of the Jackson Chapter will host a display at the Carnegie Library in Houston, MS. The display will include Braille/print children’s books, bookmarks, NFB brochures, and more.