DEpEd to celebrate 23rd White Cane Safety Day on Aug. 1

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

Tuesday 31st of July 2012

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 31 (PIA) --Education Secretary Armin Luistro has enjoined all elementary and secondary schools, especially those with Special Education (SPED) Programs to observe the 23rd White Cane Safety Day with appropriate activities on August 1.

“This supports the efforts of President Benigno S. Aquino III, on good governance through respect and realization of Human Rights,” Secretary Luistro said, in his Department of Education (DepEd) Memorandum No. 108, to all regional directors and school/city division superintendents (SDS) issued last June 25.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 6259 entitled “White Cane Safety Day,” the celebration will focus on the theme: “Making the Rights Real Right Now for the Visually Impaired,” he said.

Celebrating the White Cane Safety Day is the first activity of the Sight-Saving Month of August, the Education Secretary also said.

Meanwhile, he said the celebration aims to stimulate public awareness on the rights and welfare of blind persons, as well, as promote recognition and acceptance of the white cane as symbol of mobility for blind persons.

It also serves as a vehicle for information on the program being implemented by the government and non-government organizations, which adhere to the promotion of the welfare of visually impaired persons (VIP) and promote and protect the physical, moral and social well-being of the blind persons.

Meanwhile, he said the White Cane Inter-Agency Committee, with DepEd as the lead agency, concurred that the celebration will be conducted from July 30 to Aug. 4, 2012.

Activities undertaken in the regional, division and school levels during the week may include the hanging of streamers, walking the blind, holding of academic contests, such as, Braille reading and writing contests, Mathematics (Abacus) contest, and Quiz for the VIP.

Also included are cultural shows of the VIP/students, conduct of sports activities for the blind, holding of symposia, forum and panel discussions relevant to the prevention and rehabilitation of blindness and inviting ophthalmologists /optometrists to conduct free examination and screening of VI students.

Secretary Luistro said the celebration may include sharing of information and best practices concerning the education of VIP by inviting blind students or educators as resource persons and other professionals working for the welfare of the blind.

Likewise, the activities may include the distribution of white canes and talking watches to blind students, conduct entrepreneurship, employment and livelihood training and workshop, conduct of demonstrations on the use of computer and Information, Communication and Technology (ICT)gadgets for the VIP’s.

The Education Secretary, however, said the activities to be undertaken by the schools should not disrupt classes and reduce the teacher-learner contact time. (PIA10-Mis. Occ.)