Cranberry High School junior Bo Myers uses a cane to try to navigate a course as a blind person. (By Cara Andres/Student contributor)
By ADY CARTER and NATALIE SANDROCK
Student contributors
The Venango County Association for the Blind came to Cranberry High School on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to share an interactive lesson with the junior class on White Cane Day.
Black canes used to cause problems because they weren’t easily visible. The white canes came about in the 1930s. Then, in 1964, the national day was organized and signed by Lyndon B. Johnson.
The association taught the students how to properly assist the blind. The tips they were given included making sure to ask before they try to assist someone, as not everyone may want or need help, and to remember to use verbal cues.
Students were also told about challenges the blind have locally. These challenges include having to wait months to learn how to properly use a cane, along with something such as a grocery store being rearranged. To a sighted person, this is mildly disruptive, but this can be very significant to the blind.
The juniors also had a chance to test out canes, glasses, and blindfolds in order to better understand the struggles that can come with a lack of sight.
With all of this new knowledge, the junior class at Cranberry can now better support its community.
Ady Carter, Natalie Sandrock and Cara Andres are students at Cranberry High School and members of Cranberry Chronicles, the school’s journalism/publications class.
