2011 White Cane Safety Day

The 22nd White Cane Safety Day Celebration will be observed on August 1, 2011, pursuant to Republic Act No. 6759, entitled the "White Cane Safety Day" with the theme "Baston, Gabay sa Tuwid na Daan." This supports the efforts of President Benigno S. Aquino III on good governance.
The celebration is the first activity of the Sight Saving Month Celebration in August and it aims to:

1. stimulate public awareness on the rights and welfare of blind persons;
2. promote recognition and acceptance of the white cane as a symbol of mobility for blind persons;
3. promote and protect the physical, moral and social well-being of blind persons; and
4. serve as a vehicle of information on the program being implemented by the government and non-government organizations that adhere to the promotion of the welfare of visually impaired persons.
   

The White Cane Inter-Agency Committee with the Department of Education (DepEd) as lead agency concurred that the celebration will be done on August 1-6, 2011. The following activities may be undertaken in the regional, division, and school levels during the week:

1. Hanging of streamers;
2. Walking with the Blind;
3. Holding of academic contests such as Braile reading and writing contest, Mathematics (Abacus) contest, Quiz V.I., cultural show and other activities which highlight the talents and skills of the visually impaired students;
4. Conducting sport activities for the blind;
5. Holding of symposia, fora and panel discussions relevant to the prevention and rehabilitation of blindness;
6. Inviting ophthalmologists/optometrists to conduct free eye examination and screening to visually impaired students;
7. Sharing of information on best practices concerning the education of visually-impaired by inviting blind students or educators as resource persons and other professionals working for the welfare of the blind; and
8. Distribution of white canes, talking watches to selected blind students.
   

 
Below is the Enclosure No. 1 which contains the matrix of the activities in the National Capital Region (NCR), which may serve as guide in the conduct of the celebration.

Monday, August 1, 2011	Tuesday August 2, 2011	Wednesday, August 3, 2011	Thursday, August 4, 2011	Friday, August 5, 2011	Saturday, August 6, 2011
Opening Program	"Sports Activities"	Forum: "Career Opportunities"	"QUIZ V.I"	"Transport Forum"	White Cane Week Commencement (Commencement Show)
Lead Agency: DepEd	Lead Agency: VIBES	Lead Agency: DOLE TESDA, NEDA, DSWD	Lead Agency: DepEd, NCCA	Lead Agency: DOTC, RBI	Lead Agency: PAVIC RBI
Venue: SM Marikina or SM Manila	Venue: Marikina Sports Center, Marikina City	Venue: OSAC, North Ave.	Venue: NCCA Auditorium	Venue: DOTC	Venue: SM Fairview
Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm	Time: 7:00am - 4:00pm	Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm	Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm	Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm	Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Target: 400 pax	Target: 300 pax	Target: 200 pax	Target: 80 students and 120 guests	Target: 200 pax	Target: 1,500 pax
Members: DOTC NCDA PAVIC RBI	Members: DSWD PSC DepEd DOTC PCMIVI PAVIC	Members: PAVIC RBI	BRAILLE READING AND WRITING Lead Agency: DepEd Venue: Bulwagan ng Karunungan Time: 1:00pm to 5:00 pm Target: 50 students and 100 guests		Guests: VM Joy Belmonte Luis Manzano Coun.Alfred Vargas

Other government organizations (GOs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and civic organizations may be tapped for assistance. The SM Management, a strong advocate of Special Education (SPED) is offering its malls as possible venue for the celebration.

All SPED centers, public and private schools with SPED programs are encouraged to observe the White Cane Safety Day with appropriate activities. However, activities to be undertaken should not disrupt classes as stipulated in DepEd Order No. 9, s. 2005, Instituting Measures to Increase Engaged Time-on Task and Ensuring Compliance Therewith.

A brief consolidated narrative report with pictorials on the celebration shall be submitted to Ms. Mirla R. Olores, Chief, Special Education Division, Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE), DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. Enclosed is the Feedback Report Form (Enclosure No. 2) to be used in reporting the activities undertaken during the week. For more information, please contact this Office at telephone no.: (02) 631-9993.

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Enclosure No. 2

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