BLIND PEDESTRIANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21985, 21 June 1933, Page 10

BLIND PEDESTRIANS

A DISTINGUISHING MARK . CARRYING OF WHITE WALKING- ; ■ STICKS. ■ ( Special to Daily Times;) : ’ , v AUCKLAND, June’ 20.' A scheme to provide blind people with white walking sticks as an indication to vehicle drivers and pedestrians to exercise care is announced by Mr Clutha Mackenzie, director of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind. “ The ability of many of our bh n( f people to get about busy streets without a guide is a never-failing source of wonder, particularly in view of the everincreasing motor traffic,” said Mr Mackenzie. “ This, however, does present a problem to. the blind, especially in view of the increasing'speed and silence ;of the motor car. Blind people'have always been averse to branding themselves in any way or drawing attention to ,their disability. .Nevertheless they have, felt that with the - growth of traffic something must be done both in the interests of their own safety and in, fairness to the drivers of motor-cars to provide some indication that extra caution is necessary., . .■ ‘1 , . “ After much discussion it was decided in Europe,” Mr Mackenzie added, “that the most generally useful sign would be for blind people to carry white walking sticks, and this has now found general acceptance in Britain and North America. The. idea has also ..appealed to. a number of blind people in New Zealand and the board of trustees. of the : Institute for the Blind has decided to offer a white walking stick as a gift to any bona fide blind. person desiring to have one; The automobile associations ;have been informed and have accepted the idea as a good one.” . ,