What is the connection between a US president, Simon and Garfunkel and the White Cane?

Our Assistive Technology Specialist & Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Justin Johnston says “The US President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed in 1968 that the 15 October would be known as White Cane Safety Day and Arthur Garfunkel was college roommates and friend of Sanford ‘Sandy’ Greenberg. Sandy worked at the white house under Lyndon Johnson. I read once that Sounds of silence was written as a tribute of the friendship between Garfunkel and Sandy. There is certainly a lot of imagery in the lyrics that paints a picture of blindness and low vision however I’m yet to read any factual references."

Sandy just happened to have experienced vision loss as a result of glaucoma.

Back then, Sandy did not use a White Cane and there are experiences recounted in his memoir, Hello Darkness, My Old Friend where he would have benefited, however the ways in which this topic was broached was not regarded as pleasant.

Garfunkel provided an immense amount of support to Sandy and Sandy has a recount of an experience where Garfunkel was instrumental in increasing Sandy’s confidence in independent travel. In the memoir, Sandy talks about the people who supported him and encouraged his independence.

The White cane is exclusively used by individuals who are blind or vision impaired, as a tool to aid independent travel.

Although, not all individuals who are blind or vision impaired will use a cane, estimations are that less than 8% of people who are blind or vision impaired do.

As a pedestrian we are considered a vulnerable road user with crossing a road one of the most hazardous aspects of being a pedestrian. Crossing roads can be one of the biggest barriers to independent travel. The white cane therefore provides a visual clue to other pedestrians and aides those who are blind or vision impaired.

International White Cane Day had been promoted since 1964. White Cane Day, Worldwide, is often used to hold events to recognise the importance of the white cane for people who are blind and vision impaired to travel safely and independently, and to raise awareness of issues of safety and access. Mostly these events bring attention to just how much we rely on our vision. Encouraging people to consider how their day would be different if they were blind or vision impaired.

‘If you were to see me in the bright light, you would notice that on my forehead there are tiny lines-scars from my having run into walls, columns, corners. Similarly, there are scars on my elbows, shins, knees, and feet. These things are part of the cost of my decision to not “be blind”.’ 

- Sanford Greenberg, Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

Reference:
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-3846-white-cane-safety-day-1968