Michigan White Cane Law

The use of a "cane" for the visually impaired dates back to biblical times when the shepherd's staff was used as an aid for solitary travel. Throughout history, there is mention of the use of a cane, staff, or stick for safe travel of the visually impaired.

It was not until after World War I  that the cane, as we know it today, was promoted for use by the visually impaired. This cane is the crook support cane that many of the visually impaired use today. This concept spread to Europe and then to North America.

The first White Cane Ordinance was passed in December of 1930 in Peoria, Illinois, giving blind pedestrians protection and the right-of-way while carrying a White Cane.

At its 1931 Convention in Toronto, Canada Lions Club International promoted the White Cane as a protective device for the blind.

In 1935, a reporter named Jack Little of the Detroit News noticed an article on the white cane in a small Ohio newspaper. As a member of the Uptown Lions Club, he mentioned it to his fellow Lions Club members. Donald Schuur, an attorney and member of that club became active in promoting the white cane in Michigan as a visible symbol for the blind. He wrote a city ordinance for Detroit recognizing the white cane, which was passed on February 25, 1936. To promote the new  ordinance, a demonstration was held at the City Hall and the visually impaired were given white canes.

The following year, Donald Schuur wrote a provision for a bill proposed in the State Legislature. The proposal gave the carrier of the white cane protection while traveling on the streets of our state. This bill was signed into law by Governor Frank Murphy in March 1937.

 The first White Cane proclamation by the Governor of the State of Michigan was issued that same year.

During World War II, a number of blinded veterans received rehabilitation at Valley Forge Veterans Hospital in Pennsylvania, and Hines Hospital in Illinois. Dr. Richard Hoover developed the "long cane" method of cane travel. This cane was longer then the small, crook support cane and was primarily used as an aid in mobility - that is, the independent, safe travel of the blinded veteran. It was an extension of the person's arm which detected objects below the waist. Orientation and mobility instruction for use of the long cane has been formalized and is taught in rehabilitation centers and schools for the blind.

Since the passage of the first White Cane Law in 1937, several revisions have been made. One notable addition was the use of the dog guide. Another change eliminated the necessity of raising the white cane at an intersection prior to crossing. A more recent change requires instruction on White Cane Law in driver's education classes.

Following the passage of the first White Cane Law, the District Governors of the Lions of Michigan decided to develop the White Cane program on a state-wide basis. They appointed a White Cane Committee to promote use of the white cane and educate the public about the White Cane Law. Literature was placed in schools, police departments, churches, etc. Radio stations, newspapers, ministers and school superintendents endorsed the program and cooperated with the Lions of the state. Eventually the committee developed items for sale to clubs as fundraisers during White Cane Week. The miniature white cane has become a symbol of the efforts of Lions Clubs to increase the public's awareness of their responsibility to protect tie visually impaired.

Public Accommodation Law

Another law designed to help the blind requires all public facilities to permit a person with a leader dog in harness to enter and/or use their premises.

750.502c Sec. 502c

Any person who is an owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of any place of public or private housing, accommodation, amusement, or recreation, including but not limited to any inn, hotel, motel, apartment building, trailer park, restaurant, barber shop, billiard parlor, store, public conveyance on land or water, theater, motion picture house, public or private educational institution, or elevator, who refuses to permit a handicapper to enter or use the accommodations when accompanied by a guide, hearing, or service dog is guilty of a misdemeanor if the guide dog is wearing a harness or if the hearing or service dog is wearing a blaze orange leash and collar, and the handicapper being led or accompanied has in his or her possession a picture identification card certifying that the dog was trained by a qualified organizer or trainer. The department of labor shall maintain a list of organizations or trainers that train leader, hearing, and services dogs.

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A Leader Dog brings to people who are blind a great sense of independence. Each year, many blind individuals are trained with well-disciplined and dedicated Leader Dogs. Therefore, it becomes important that sighted people know something about the way a Leader Dog team works together. We should know how to act when we encounter a blind person and his/her Leader Dog. The Leader Dog team knows what to do - but do we?

A person using a Leader Dog wants to be treated like an independent person, so the best way to treat him/her is to assume he/she is an independent person. If he/she is in some sort of trouble he/she will ask for help. Never rush up and startle a blind person by grabbing his/her arm, but simply say, "May I Help You?" If a blind person appears to be in need of some assistance, approach him/her on the right side because the Leader Dog will invariably be on their left. Do not touch or take the blind person by the arm without first asking, in a quiet tone, if he/she would like a little help.

Under no circumstances should a person take hold of the Leader Dog's harness, for this will confuse the dog and startle the blind person. This can throw the dog off his practiced routine.

Do the blind diner a favor and do NOT offer tasty morsels to the Leader Dog. The owner looks after the Leader Dog's diet very carefully. The animal is well fed and does his job most efficiently when the recommended diet is followed.

Do not pet a Leader Dog when he is in harness - or when he is working. There is a natural impulse to pet a Leader Dog because they are friendly animals that like to be petted and allowed to romp and play, but the owner should be consulted first. Always ask the owner's permission before touching his/her Leader Dog.

Remember that while a blind person appreciates attention the same as anyone, he/she wants his/her friends and others he/she meets to be natural with him/her and not unnecessarily solicitous. A person with a Leader Dog likes to get around on his/her own and doesn't appreciate attention he/she doesn't need.  

You can help some blind people all of the time, and you can help all blind people some of the time, but...

OFFERING HELP:

It's always appropriate to offer your help; just don't be surprised if blind persons would rather do it themselves. And when they do, it isn't necessary to applaud. If you want to help and aren't sure exactly what to do, ask an expert - the one your helping.

TALKING:

How do blind persons you want to help know you're talking to them? "Hay you blind person!" will get you immediate attention, but touching the person gently on the elbow is better. Grabbing the person's cane is definitely out; so is petting the Leader Dog, except during "off " hours. Even then, ask the master first.

Do your feelings bruise easily? When people don't recognize your voice over the telephone, for instance. If so, when you run into a blind person you know, start off by mentioning your name. if there's a blind person alone in a room, announce when you come in - especially if you are wearing sneakers. The same applies to leaving.

Don't sweat over substitute words for "see", "look",  or even "blind". And don't avoid them where they fit. You can talk about blindness itself - if it comes up and you both feel comfortable about it.

Blind is not deaf. Don't shout. Also, blind is not dumb. If you have a question, for instance about what a blind person likes to eat, ask the person and not a companion.

WALKING:

If you are guiding someone who is blind, don't grab his/her arm. Let them take yours. After that, it's like dancing; he/she can tell when you come to curbs, steps, or turns. To avoid surprises, the person may want to walk a half step behind you. They may not want to hurt your feelings by telling you that you're going too fast - or too slow. If you pay attention, you ought to be able to judge after five or ten steps.

EATING:

In a cafeteria, most blind persons will not be able to carry a tray of food while using a Leader Dog or White Cane. Therefore, appropriate help at such time would be to offer to carry the tray while the blind person holds your elbow and walks to a vacant chair. This eliminates the real hazard of bumping another person with a tray of food and possibly spilling hot food or drink.

In a restaurant, guide your blind friend's hand to the chair back; take it for granted that the person knows how to sit down. Unless it's the person's regular haunt, offer to read the menu (prices too!). You can feel comfortable asking your friend if he/she would like the meat cut, roll buttered, or cream and sugar added to the coffee. If it's the person's turn to pick up the check and he/she offers, it's ok to to spar a little out of politeness; but let your friend pay.

As for your own feelings; Pity is absolutely out, and sympathy is something appropriate, but sensitivity always helps.