Madison Reporter

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and the Common Council have designated October 15 as "White Cane Safety Day" in Madison. This day is set aside to advocate for and educate about the White Cane Law, which has been observed since 1964 to promote safe communities for individuals with vision loss or blindness. The law emphasizes awareness of pedestrians using white canes or guide dogs and mandates that motorists stop before coming within ten feet of such pedestrians.

The white cane not only symbolizes identity for its users but also serves a practical purpose by legally identifying someone as blind or visually impaired. This identification is crucial for motorists to recognize that a pedestrian may not be able to see them.

"The White Cane Law is important to me because the majority of drivers are well-intentioned, but reminders about pedestrian safety, especially for people who are blind and visually impaired, can help drivers stay more alert," said Denise Jess, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired. "There is so much distracted driving going on, and if you know there’s a legal expectation for your driving it can help keep roads safer for everyone. No driver wants to hit somebody."

Madison has incorporated accessible features into its transportation infrastructure to enhance safety and convenience for pedestrians who are blind or have visual impairments. The new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system includes tactile directional tiles to assist white cane users with bus alignment and audible announcements for real-time information at Fast Fare kiosks. Crosswalks have been upgraded with detectable warning fields on ramps and audible signals.

"White Cane Safety Day really highlights the importance of safety for those vulnerable roadway users in our city, especially highlighting those who are visually impaired," said Yang Tao, City of Madison Director of Traffic Engineering. "This is a big part of what Madison’s Vision Zero initiative strives to accomplish, and this day truly reminds us how important it is to focus on safety for all and design roadways to ensure everyone walking, rolling, biking, and those with a white cane are safe."

The City encourages residents and visitors to learn about the White Cane Project and engage in creating an inclusive community for all with accessibility needs.

Further details about the White Cane Project are available on the White Cane Safety Day website.