News Summary
Grand Rapids will hold a white cane awareness walk on October 15, organized by ABVI and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. The event promotes awareness of the white cane as crucial for independence among the visually impaired. Starting at Calder Plaza, the walk is scheduled for 10 a.m. and includes participation from community leaders and advocates, highlighting efforts to foster inclusivity for those with visual impairments.
Grand Rapids, MI will host a white cane awareness walk on October 15 to support individuals living with low vision or blindness. The event, organized by the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) in collaboration with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, is free to the public and aims to raise awareness about the white cane as a vital tool for independence for the visually impaired.
The walk is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., beginning at Calder Plaza, located at 300 Monroe Ave. NW. Participants will follow a designated route, walking along sidewalks from Ottawa Avenue to Monroe Center, then continuing along Monroe Avenue and Lyon Street, and eventually returning to Calder Plaza.
In this year’s event, more disability advocates will be present than in previous years, providing information and answering questions about options available for the visually impaired. Josh Thomas, the ABVI’s orientation and mobility instructor and vision rehabilitation therapy lead, emphasizes the importance of community participation in this event. Families, previous program clients, and supporters from all walks of life are encouraged to join the walk.
The white cane awareness walk coincides with White Cane Safety Day, which has been recognized since the late 1960s, and it is also part of Blindness Awareness Month. This annual event has received support from local leaders, including Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand, who will speak at the event along with other community figures.
Grand Rapids, alongside Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, and Lansing, recently received an “accessibility seal of approval” from the travel group Wheel the World, highlighting the progress in accommodating individuals with disabilities. The event aims to demonstrate that individuals with visual impairments can fully engage with their community and access the various services and amenities available.
The initiative to raise awareness about the white cane’s significance aligns with the broader history of accessibility in Michigan, which was the first state to implement a statewide white cane law in 1937. This law was established to provide legal protection for blind pedestrians, marking a significant step forward in advocating for the rights of those who are blind or have low vision.
Participants and advocates hope that the walk will not only increase awareness about the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals but also foster an inclusive atmosphere where everyone can find information and support. The notable increase in participation from people and the community further emphasizes the impact the event may have on public perception regarding those who are blind or have low vision.
This year’s white cane awareness walk invites everyone from the community, underscoring the message that with the right tools and support, those with visual impairments can navigate their environment and access everything they need in their community. By participating in such events, residents can help promote inclusivity and awareness around blindness and low vision.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: White Cane Walk Helps Blind Residents Navigate Grand Rapids
- Wikipedia: White Cane
- Fox17: Morning Mix – October 7, 2025
- Google Search: Blindness Awareness Month
- MLive: Massive T-Rex Exhibit Stomping into Grand Rapids
- Google Scholar: Blindness Advocacy
- MLive: Educational Programs Celebrate Anishinaabe Culture
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Visual Impaired
- MLive: Local Museum Turning Haunted for Adventure After Dark Event
- Google News: Accessibility Events
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
