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.
Attend the October Presidential Release LIVE from Mississippi
Join the next presidential release of the National Federation of the Blind. Members of the Federation are encouraged to attend, and non-members are warmly welcomed. President Riccobono will be presenting the monthly message from the Jackson Chapter in Mississippi. Get the presidential release access details.
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.
- October 4: Office 365 Suite Accessibility Boutique
- October 6: Career Fair Fearless Job Interview Part 1
- October 13: Career Fair Fearless Job Interview Part 2
- October 21: Where the Blind Work Webinar
- October 25: Education Technology Accessibility Boutique
- October 26: Career Fair—Registration has closed. Please sign-up to receive job listings on our NFB List Serv.
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.
- Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declares October 2022 Blind Equality Achievement Month.
- Salt Lake City Utah Mayor Erin Mendenhall declares October 15, 2022 White Cane Safety Day.
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.
2022 Activities Across the Country
Saturday, October 1, 2022, Ruston, Louisiana
- Public outreach at Ruston Farmer’s Market
- Opening of Braille-based art exhibit, The Deepest Soundings, showcasing work by Kenn Kotara
Monday, October 3, 2022 National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Chapter
The Philadelphia Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania will host a virtual discussion of how to use a white cane. Everyone is invited to participate, regardless of where you are at in your blindness skills. The discussion will take place via Zoom on October 3, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
Friday, October 7, 2022, New Orleans, Louisiana
Members of the National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana will participate in schoolwide assembly on blindness. The assembly will focus on breaking down barriers.
Saturday, October 8, 2022, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Members of the NFB of Louisiana will promote Blind Equality Achievement Month by hosting a booth at the Louisiana Book Festival.
Monday, October 10, 2022 National Federation of the Blind of Missouri Columbia Chapter
The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri Columbia Chapter will discuss Blind Equality Achievement Month, and the Chapter's accomplishments on the October 10th KBIA Radio Friends with Paul Pepper Show. The interview will also air via the University of Missouri's television station and via the internet.
The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri Columbia Chapter will also celebrate Blind Equality Achievement Month with month-long efforts to test ordering kiosks at area food establishments and writing activity update letters to contributors to their ComoGives campaign.
Tuesday, October 11, 2022, National Federation of the Blind of Idaho
In celebration of Blind Equality Achievement Month, the National Federation of the Blind of Idaho is sponsoring a Zoom seminar on Idaho's White Cane Law. “Idaho’s White Cane Law: Guaranteeing Freedom and Access for Idahoans Who Are Blind or Disabled”, will be held on Zoom, Tuesday, October 11, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. eastern time (3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. mountain time). If you would like to attend, please send an email request to [email protected], and a zoom link will be sent to you.
Thursday, October 13, 2022 National Federation of the Blind of Texas Houston Chapter
This year's White Cane Safety Day Program will feature an awareness march at 9:30 a.m. and a program and resource fair from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The program will also feature guest speakers, information on the history of White Cane Safety Day, and a White Cane Safety Day Mayoral Proclamation. The event will be held at the University of Houston, Student Services Center South, 4455 University Drive, Houston, TX and you can pre-register for the event.
Thursday, October 13, 2022, Alexandria, Louisiana
The National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana will make a presentation to United Way and its partners on dispelling myths about blindness
Friday, October 14, 2022, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado will celebrate Blind Equality Achievement Month by celebrating the preservation of long-forgotten records and memorabilia found in the basement of the Colorado Center for the Blind. The preserved records include documents from the United Workers for the Blind, The Colorado Federation of the Blind, The Denver Area Association for the Blind, and the National Federation of the Blind. Records dating back as far as 1915 have been made available for review through the Colorado Virtual Library and the Plains to Peaks Collective Service Hub (PPC) of the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA). On October 14, 2022 the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado will host a celebration honoring the dozens of volunteers who made the records restoration project possible. For more information on the project and event, contact Peggy Chong at [email protected] or at 303-745-0473.
Saturday, October 15, 2022 National Federation of the Blind of Maryland National Harbor Chapter
The National Harbor Chapter will sponsor a White Cane Awareness Day Walk and shopping event on October 15, 2022 at Tanger Outlets, 6800 Tanger Outlets, Oxon Hill, Maryland. Members of the chapter will participate in the walk and distribute NFB educational literature to the public. The Chapter will also read a White Cane Awareness Day proclamation from the County Executive, and will present a brief history of the white cane. The National Harbor Chapter is also sponsoring a presentation by Marie Hamilton of PS You Are Fabulous. Ms. Hamilton will provide fashion tips, talk about dressing for success, and will lead a shopping excursion.
Saturday, October 15, 2022 National Federation of the Blind of Florida Treasure Coast Chapter
The Treasure Coast Chapter is hosting a walk October 15, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. in Fort Pierce Florida to celebrate White Cane Awareness Day. The Chapter will walk from City Hall through downtown to their table at a local farmers market, demonstrate sighted guide travel technique and will distribute gift bags and literature to attendees.
Saturday, October 15, 2022, Monroe, Louisiana
The NFB of Louisiana Greater Ouachita and North Central chapters will hold joint event to promote Braille at Touch A Truck.
Saturday, October 15, 2022, National Federation of the Blind of California San Joaquin County Chapter
The National Federation of the Blind of California San Joaquin County Chapter's 4th Annual White Cane Awareness Walk & Celebration will take place at the Northwest Weberstown Mall parking lot, 4950 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95207. The event is near the SJRTD Mall Transfer Station and will feature:
- 10:00-12:00: NFB info table with SJRTD, get your name written in Braille and free Braille alphabet bookmark!
- 12:00-12:15: White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation Ceremony with Lions Clubs & community.
- 12:15-1:00: Walk from Weberstown Mall parking lot to March Lane, crossing Pacific, then north on Pacific to Mountain Mike’s Pizza, 1000 W. Robinhood Dr. to end the walk in support of our NFB Fundraiser there.
For more information contact San Joaquin County Chapter President Miguel Mendez at [email protected]
Saturday, October 15, 2022, the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter
The National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter's 3rd annual virtual talent show will feature blind and low vision singers, dancers, musicians, and comedians. Tickets are $10 for individuals and $25 for watch parties. Tickets can be purchased at www.believeyoucan.live/tickets. For more event details, contact [email protected].
Saturday, October 15, 2022 National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
Several Virginia Chapters began White Cane Awareness Day by joining in a Zoom call to share White Cane Awareness Day Proclamations obtained from various municipal governments around the State. Following the Zoom call, various chapters around the State held White Cane Awareness Day walks.
Thursday, October 20, 2022 National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Greater Akron Chapter
The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Greater Akron Chapter will host an Applebee’s fundraiser and education event on October 20, 2022. The Chapter says that the Chapel Hill Ohio Applebee's will donate a portion of all sales where customers use promo code DOINGOOD when ordering, at checkout, or online. The event will run from 11 a.m. until closing. Chapter members will be on hand to demonstrate braille, provide information about accessible prescription labels, to demonstrate usage of the long white cane, and to answer questions about assistive technology.
Friday, October 21, 2022 National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Chapter
The National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Chapter will host a public awareness table at the Women Healed for a Purpose Conference in Philadelphia. The Chapter's public awareness table will open at 11 a.m. on October 21, 2022.
Saturday, October 22, 2022, Shreveport, Louisiana
The Caaddo-Bossier Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana will hold a bowl-a-thon.
Monday, October 24, 2022, Ruston, Louisiana
Members of the National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana will promote Braille at the Ruston citywide fall festival/trick-or-treating event.
Friday, October 28, 2022, National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia
For Blind Equality Achievement Month the National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia (NFBWV) is celebrating with a statewide virtual gathering of stakeholders in West Virginia's blind community. The Re-Visions Conference will take place via Zoom on Friday, October 28, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Contact Ed McDonald, First Vice-President & Agency Partnership Chair, National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia, 151 S. Mineral Street, Keyser, WV 26726, Phone: 304-788-0129, Email: [email protected] for more information, including registration details.
Saturday, October 29, 2022, Spartanburg South Carolina Chapter
In honor of Blind Equality Achievement Month, the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Spartanburg Chapter is hosting a walkathon on Saturday, October 29, 2022. The walk-a-thon will take place at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, 355 Cedar Springs Rd, Spartanburg, SC. The event will run from 11 AM to 4 PM. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and there will be a trunk or treat event for kids and kids at heart.
Monday, October 31, 2022, Monroe Louisiana
Members of the National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana will be on a local radio show discussing Blindness Equality Achievement Month.
National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee Volunteer Chapter
As the smells, changing colors, and the crispness of autumn call east Tennesseans out-of-doors to play, the National Federation of the Blind of Tenessee Volunteer Chapter celebrates Blind Equality Achievement Month.
- Brett Chambers, who has low vision, drove two of his tractors in the pull. He placed National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee Live the Life You Want signs on all his tractors.
- On October 12, 2022, Yvonne Neubert will be excepting a Blind Equality Achievement Month proclamation from Knoxville Tennessee's Mayor. The proclamation will also name Oct. 15 White Cane Awareness Day.
- On October 17, 2022, Yvonne Neubert will go before the Knox County Commission and obtain Blind Equality Achievement Month and White Cane Awareness Day proclamations at the County level.
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri Springfield Chapter
- On October 3, 2022, members of the Springfield Missouri Chapter were interviewed on the the television news show The Place on KY3. The interview can be viewed on YouTube.
- On October 13, 2022 the Springfield Missouri Chapter and Mary’s Braille Transcription Services met with Springfield Missouri Mayor Pat McCure for the presentation of a proclamation for White Cane Awareness Day. The Chapter presented Mayor McCure with a textile flag.
- October 15 & 16, 2022 the Springfield Missouri Chapter held their annual garage sale. The garage sale was rune by Chapter members, which allowed them opportunities to interact with the public performing tasks that the public is not used to seeing blind people do. The Chapter says "We always talk about how we live the life we want."
- On Oct 28, 2022, the Springfield Chapter is teaming up with the Springfield Cardinals minor-league baseball team and other local businesses for a fun night at Hammons Ballfield. Chapter members will be passing out candy along with information on the NFB, and answering any questions trick-or-treaters have about blindness or the NFB. Chapter members will be dressing up in costumes.
National Federation of the Blind of California Central Valley Chapter
- On October 8, 2022, the Central Valley Chapter helped with a voter education workshop at the Stanislaus County Elections Office in Modesto. Chapter members demonstrated the remote accessible vote by mail system with different types of screen reading software. Attendees had the opportunity to try out the Touch Writer ballot marking device. Chapter members were joined by election answered questions so that everyone could be prepared to vote independently during the November election.
- On October 15, 2022, White Cane Awareness Day, the Central Valley Chapter participated in a White Cane Walk with the Stanislaus County Office of Education at JFK School in Modesto. The event included fun activities for our local blind children, including an obstacle course, cane decorating, and games with tactile emojis. Members of the chapter answered questions and demonstrated that blindness should not hold anyone back from living the life they want.
- On October 29, 2022, the Central Valley Chapter will have a booth at the Modesto Farmer’s Market, located on 16th Street between H Street and I Street, from 8 AM to 1 PM. Chapter members will be demonstrating Braille and assistive technology. The event will also have some fun Halloween-themed activities, including a descriptive costume game.
National Federation of the Blind of Mississippi Jackson Chapter
- The Jackson Chapter spoke at Shannon Elementary School about blindness and and a member's life journey as a blind individual.
- The Chapter donated clothes and personal hygiene products to a nursing home in Northeast Mississippi.
- A Jackson Chapter member educated nursing home residents and staff about successfully living as a blind person.
- Chapter members provided snacks and NFB literature to the workers on the cardiovascular floor of a local hospital.
National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Lancaster
The Lancaster Chapter participated in a local event where they designed a blind skateboard kid scarecrow that is displayed in downtown Lancaster in front of the Courthouse. The blind scarecrow kid features a skateboarding scarecrow using a long white cane and has a sign with Chapter meeting and contact information. The Lancaster Chapter reports that this display has already resulted in a new member joining the Chapter.
National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division
Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 8 p.m. Eastern the Performing Arts Division will host a membership call all about music education as a blind person. Panelist Precious Perez, Leslie Hamric, and Katelyn MacIntyre, will talk about their experiences teaching music in schools, instructing privately (in person and virtually), and everything in between. The Performing Arts Division is hosting this education event as part of Blind Equality Achievement Month. The event will take place via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89088947761?pwd=Zk8yd1pTa0VpYUR5N0ZSZk9ac0M2Zz09, Meeting ID: 890 8894 7761, Passcode: 632723
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.