Students from the Anchor Center for Blind Children at the White Cane Day celebration. Photo courtesy of Melissa Morris

The parade of students and families walking to Fred Thomas Park.

White Cane Day, established on October 15,1964, is celebrated across the country, including at the Anchor Center for Blind Children in northeast Denver.

“It’s a day where we show awareness for people who use white canes. We try to give out information about how they’re used for safety and for independence for people with visual impairment,” said Anchor Center teacher Allison Alterman.

At an event today, preschoolers in the program at the center were joined by families and alumni who have gone on to attend Denver Public Schools.

“We’re hoping to buddy those older kids up with our younger kids and just have really great day of celebration with our white canes,” Alterman said.

The event is meant for visually impaired students to feel pride and independence and know their possibilities are endless, she said. “It’s really important for the community to see it, but also for our kids to be able to see other kids who are older than them who also use white canes.”

For Skinner Middle School seventh grader Owen Gutenplan, the day was important for educating the community about why people use canes and to be able to be with other people who some kind of visual impairment.

Student Owen Gutenplan talking to photojournalist Byron Reed.

“I do enjoy seeing other people with their canes, being blind, see how they get around how they live their lives,” he said.

The Anchor Center introduces visually impaired kids to white canes while they’re young, whether or not they go on to use one. Alterman said canes are important for the people who use them to “detect what’s a couple of steps ahead, so that once you get there, it’s not an unknown you’re expecting. “

And, she added, the canes are a way for the community to be able to recognize people with visual impairments.

“If you’re driving and you see someone with a white cane, just know that they have the right of way and that they are traveling independently,” she said. “Never grab someone who has a visual impairment. They are competent. They know what they’re doing. You can always ask if someone needs assistance, but don’t assume that they can’t do it themselves. And visual impairment can mean anything. It can mean someone’s totally blind. It could mean that their peripheral vision isn’t there.”

Drivers showed their support as they waited for the student parade to pass Rosyln Street on the way to nearby Fred Thomas Park, some carrying signs recognizing the celebration of White Cane Day. A steady stream of people of all ages.

Then it was time for kids to just be kids and fill the playground.