Blind Equality Achievement Month

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 on Accessibility & Employment

Attend one of the following free events. Some may require registration. Share your experience and what you know on social media using the hashtag #BlindMonth.

Tuesday, October 3 – Presidential Release #531 with Mark Riccobono

The presidential release is a monthly message from President Mark A. Riccobono that highlights the current activities of the National Federation of the Blind. It is shared with every chapter of the organization. Join us this October as President Riccobono reports live from Louisville, Kentucky. Zoom details coming soon.

Wednesday, October 18, 2023 – Where the Blind Work Webinar

8:00-9:15 p.m., eastern, via Zoom | Unemployment and under-employment persist as among the most stubborn factors affecting blind people’s pursuit of cultural and economic equity in society. Join us to celebrate the work and accomplishments of blind and low-vision people with a panel discussion. Our panelists will be:

  • Jennifer Wenzel, Human Resources Generalist, Wisconsin
  • Kris Colcock, Certified Benefits Specialist/Entrepreneur, Washington
  • Rachel Kuntz, Community Relations Liaison, Arizona 

Register for Where the Blind Work to receive Zoom details. 

Thursday, October 26, 2023 – National Federation of the Blind Virtual Career Fair 

1:00-4:00 p.m., eastern, via Zoom | Join our fall virtual career fair to find your occupational passion (employees) or add talent to your team (employers). This event is free of charge for both employers and jobseekers. Registration opens on September 22, 2023. You must register by October 16, 2023.

For more information about the career fair, please contact Jennifer Wenzel, Employment Committee chair, at [email protected] or Rachel Kuntz, employer liaison at [email protected].

Tuesday, October 31, 2023 – Accessibility Boutique on Job Search Websites

2:00-3:30 p.m., eastern, via Zoom. Searching for jobs online is becoming increasingly popular. Join our Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Accessibility to evaluate job-search websites at each stage of the process. Register for the October Accessibility Boutique. 

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.

Tips for making a video

2023 Activities Across the Country

September 29: NFB of Idaho

The Snake River Valley Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Idaho will be holding our 3rd Annual Blindness Awareness Banquet on September 29, 2023.  

We invite community dignitaries, leaders, family and friends to come and hearing inspiring stories of the achievements of blind/low vision individuals.  

Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Melaleuca Event Center
4609 W 65th St
Idaho Falls, Idaho

Contact: Sandy Streeter, President
Snake River Valley Chapter, NFB of Idaho
[email protected]
208-681-6686

October 7, 2023: NFB of California, San Joaquin County Chapter

NFB Info Table at Multicultural Health & Community Fair
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Angel Cruz Park, 110 Segovia Ln, Stockton, CA 95207. Our board member, Elvin will be DJing for the event! Celebrate #BlindMonth and White Cane Awareness Day with the San Joaquin County Chapter NFBCA!

October 7, 2023: NFB of Connecticut, Central Chapter

The Central Chapter of the NFB of CT is holding an Italian dinner and raffle event with the Knights of Columbus in Palos Council 35. We will have members and their family and friends along with the public attending. All of the NFB literature will be available along with our affiliate president, Maryanne Melley. We are looking forward to educating those attending about what we do and answering questions as well.

Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Saint Gregory CCD Center
1043 Stafford Ave, Bristol, CT

October 8, 2023: NFB of Idaho, Palouse Empire Chapter

Book Club Discussion of "The Power of Love"
Time:
7:00 p.m. pacific time

This book features entries by many of our Idaho NFB members and was edited by Ramona Walhof. The Idaho contributors have been invited to participate in this book club discussion.

October 13, 2023:  NFB of Arkansas, Central Arkansas Chapter

White Cane Awareness Day Event
Time:
10:00 to 11:30 A.M.
Location: Campus of World Services for the Blind, 2811 Fair Park Blvd.

Federationists Cindy Scott-Huisman and Brent Philpot will be speaking during this event, on topics such as: history of the white cane, and a perspective from a white cane user.

October 14, 2023: NFB of California, San Joaquin County Chapter

NFB Information Table and Meet the Members of the San Joaquin County Chapter
Time:
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: In Front of Delta College, 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95207 (at SW corner of Pacific Ave. and Yokuts Ave.)
Meet the blind, pick up some literature, have your name written in braille and take home a free keepsake braille alphabet bookmark!

White Cane Awareness Proclamation Ceremony
Time:
12:00 - 12:15 pm

White Cane Awareness Walk
Time: 12:15 - 1:00 pm
Following the ceremony, join NFB members for a 1.5 mile walk from the table in front of Delta College to Mountain Mike’s Pizza, 1000 W. Robinhood Dr, Stockton, CA 95207 in support of our 35% NFB fundraiser there 9:30 AM-9:30 PM.

October 14, 2023: NFB of Texas

2023 Houston Community White Cane Safety Day
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019
http://www.havintx.org/hcwcsd/
Mark your calendars and save the date for this year’s Houston Community White Cane Safety Day celebration.

October 14, 2023: NFB of South Carolina, Charleston Chapter

White Cane Awareness Day Walk-A-Thon
Time: 11 am - 1 pm
Where: Marion Square, 329 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
We are accepting $2 donations per walk around the square or any donation that persons would like to donate.

October 16, 2023: NFB of Idaho

Statewide Blindness Awareness Day
Multiple locations

Join the NFB of Idaho to meet blind people, learn about our projects and initiatives, and take home your own Braille alphabet cards. We welcome you in the movement. Contact Dana Ard for more information.

Thursday, October 19, 2023: NFB of Texas

National Federation of the Blind of Texas Meet & Greet
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: 700 N. Front Street, Suite A Angleton, TX 77515
Brazoria County Center for Independent Living

Join members of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas to celebrate the occasion and to learn about blindness resources.

For more information about the event contact:
National Federation of the Blind of Texas
281-968-7733
[email protected]

October 20, 2023: NFB of Maryland: National Harbor Chapter

10 Year Annual National Harbor Chapter County Resource Day

This event educates the community about Blind Equality Achievements and shares resources for blind/low-vision persons with changing vision and their families and friends in the following areas: health, independent living, employment, technology, quality of life/recreation, transportation, and more.

Theme: Make A Difference; Make It Count!
Time: 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Community Center and Town Hall of Colmar Manor, 3701 Lawrence Street, Colmar Manor 20722
Admission: Free

Register:
1. Online: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6142266
2. Telephone: Chairperson/President Amber Woods at 301-978-6686 or Board Member Joyce Brooks at 301-529-8218

Thank you for helping the NHC-NFBMD “Change What it Means to be Blind in Prince George’s County and Beyond!”

October 21, 2023: NFB of California, San Joaquin County Chapter

Blind Sports Month Experience: Beep Kickball Game for Teens & Adults
Time:
9:30 - 11:30 am
Location: Atherton Park, 1978 Quail Lakes Dr, Stockton, CA 95207

October 28, 2023: NFB of Arkansas, Central Arkansas Chapter

Harvestfest Meet & Greet
Time:
11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Location: Historic Hillcrest neighborhood in Little Rock

Members are looking forward to interacting with attendees, distributing information about the National Federation of the Blind, and getting additional blind and low-vision folks to join us. We will also be offering supporters an opportunity to purchase World’s Finest Chocolate bars, and raffle tickets for a hand-made, queen-size Razorback blanket, which is raising money for our state affiliate.
https://harvestfest.us/

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.