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.
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.
Share Your Federation Memory Minute
It’s Blind Equality Achievement Month. Using the hashtag #BlindMonth, share the positive impact that mentors within the Federation have had on your life and how opportunities to earning equal wages and other aspects of employment are valuable to you.
2024 Activities Across the Country
October 5: NFB of Nebraska
The National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska is hosting a state wide Blind Equality Achievement Month walk.
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. central
Locations: Dusty Trails Pumpkin Patch, 2717 North Buffalo Bill Avenue, North Platte Nebraska
Brickyard Par, 1919 West D Street, Hastings Nebraska
Holms Lake, 70th and Normal, Lincoln Nebraska
University Suites, 1780 R Street, Lincoln Nebraska
To find out more about this event, please contact NFB of Nebraska, President Jamie K. Richey at [email protected].
October 7: NFB of Missouri, Kansas City Chapter
The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri Kansas City Chapter is hosting a transportation Town Hall with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.
Date: Monday, October 7, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. central
Location: The Whole Person at 3710 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111.
To find out more about this event, please contact Kansas City Chapter President Daniel Garcia.
October 8: NFB of California, San Joaquin County Chapter
The NFB of California, San Joaquin County Chapter will be receiving a proclamation from the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. This is a great opportunity to speak to County leaders and for the public to meet and interact with blind people.
Date: October 8
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: The Board of Supervisors Chambers, 44 N. San Joaquin Street, 6th Floor, Stockton, CA 95202.
October 12: NFB of Mississippi, Tupelo Chapter
The National Federation of the Blind of Mississippi Tupelo Chapter is hosting a Blind Awareness Health Fair.
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 noon central
Location: The North Green Street Church of Christ Life Center at 1018 North Green Street, Tupelo, MS 38804.
To find out more about this event, please contact Tupelo Chapter President Teneiske Spratt.
October 12: NFB of New Mexico, Chapter At-Large
The National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico Chapter At-Large is hosting a community fundraiser event at the Bathtub Row Brewery Co-op. They will be selling brisket/pulled pork sandwiches with a pasta salad. They will also have several activities including cornhole toss tournament, bake sale, auction items, Braille name tags, and more.
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 1 - 4 p.m.
Location: Bathtub Row Brewery Co-op
To find out more about this event, please contact NFB of New Mexico At- Large Chapter President Janet Montoya.
October 12: NFB of California, San Joaquin County Chapter
White Cane Awareness Celebration
The NFB of California, San Joaquin County Chapter will be hosting an information table with San Joaquin Regional Transit District on the northwest corner of Pacific Avenue & Yokuts Avenue from 11 AM to 12 PM on Saturday, October 12. This is in front of San Joaquin Delta College, 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton on the north side of the driveway into the campus off Pacific Avenue at Noon. The chapter will receive recognitions from Jazmine Gutierrez, the Office of Congressman Josh Harder,, SJC Supervisor Paul Canepa and Stockton City Council/Mayor Lincoln will read the White Cane proclamation, followed by remarks by the President Miguel Mendez.
White Cane Awareness Walk
The NFB of California, San Joaquin County Chapter will also complete a 1.5 mile white cane walk that will begin at approximately 12:15 PM. You can walk with the chapter, members of the public, family, friends, and Lions, or wait until the chapter loops back around to Delta college. From there, they will do a much shorter walk from Delta College directly to Mountain Mike’s Pizza or feel free to make travel arrangements to Mountain Mike’s pizza.
The chapter will arrive at Mountain Mike’s Pizza, 1000 W. Robin Hood Dr., Stockton by approximately 1 PM. Members are encouraged to support the fundraiser from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 12.
October 14: NFB of Virginia, Fairfax Chapter
Members of the Fairfax and Potomac Chapters of the NFB of Virginia will offer a Q&A to residents about blindness and individuals who are blind; will have Braille alphabet cards and will ptranscribe, for $1 donations, names and short messages in Braille; will demonstrate and discuss Orientation and Mobility techniques, assistive technology, and will read to children from print/Braille books.
Date: Monday, October 14, 2024
Time: 1 - 3 p.m.
To find out more about this event, please contact Christine.
October 15: NFB of California, San Joaquin County Chapter
The NFB of California, San Joaquin County Chapter will be sending a delegation to the Rideshare Rally. If you are in the San Joaquin County area and would like to coordinate transportation with the chapter to arrive at Uber headquarters in San Francisco by 9 a.m. October 15, please contact [email protected]
Previous Meet the Blind Month Activities
Looking for ideas for your first or next Meet the Blind Month activity? Check out some of the past activities organized by our members.
- 2023 Activities
- 2022 Activities
- 2021 Activities
- 2020 Activities
- 2019 Activities
- 2018 Activities
- 2017 Activities
- 2016 Activities