The White Cane is a significant tool for independence of blind and visually impaired persons and is a symbol of expanding opportunities for the blind; and

It is the policy of this state to encourage and enable the blind to participate fully in the social and economic life of the state and to engage in remunerative employment; and

The blind and visually impaired shall have the same right as all persons to the full use of the streets, highways, sidewalks, public buildings, facilities and other places; and

The blind and visually impaired shall be entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of all common carriers or modes of transportation, lodging, places of public accommodation, amusement or resort, or other places to which the public is invited; and

Every blind or visually impaired person shall have the right to make use of a white cane or be accompanied by a guide dog in any of the places listed above; and

Most jobs can be done by blind persons, given training and opportunity. The primary problem with blindness is the public's lack of knowledge about it; and

It is the policy of this state that the blind and visually impaired shall be employed by the state, political subdivisions of the state, public schools and all other employment supported in whole or in part by public funds on full and equal terms and conditions with all other job applicants.

I, Dave Heineman, Governor of the State of Nebraska, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM the 15th day of October, 2007 as

WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY

in Nebraska, and I do hereby proclaim Nebraska's support for the full involvement of blind and visually impaired Nebraskans in the social and economic life of the State.

I have hereunto set my hand, and cause the Great Seal of the State of Nebraska to be affixed this 10th day of October, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand Seven.

Dave Heineman
Governor