MBTA Celebrates White Cane Day and Blind Americans Equality Day

BOSTON - October 8, 2015 - The MBTA, on Tuesday, October 13th, will join with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) and members of the blind and low vision community in celebration of White Cane Day and Blind Americans Equality Day, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts State House Great Hall of Flags in Boston.

"We always take feedback from members of the blind and low vision community very seriously, because they are among our customers who rely on the MBTA the most and know it the best," said Laura Brelsford, Assistant General Manager of System-Wide Accessibility. "Our goal is to provide reliable, safe, and equal access to all aspects of our system--and our customers who are blind or have low vision can take it from there, using travel tools like a white cane or guide dog to navigate independently. The T is proud to play a role in that independence and to celebrate all the achievements of the blind and low vision community."

White Cane Day and Blind Americans Equality Day are held in conjunction each year to recognize and promote the full inclusion of people who are blind or have low vision into all areas of public life, and the mobility tools which are essential to making that inclusion possible.

Using a white cane or a guide dog, people who are blind or have low vision travel safely and independently to work, school and recreation activities, navigating the streets of Boston and the MBTA system daily with their fellow commuters. While much work remains to be done in ensuring a true equal playing field for the blind and low vision community, the MBTA is proud to be part of commemorating how far we've come and the possibilities ahead.

MBTA staff will be on-hand at the State House to provide information about accessible vehicles and services, including travel training programs designed to familiarize customers who are blind or have low vision with using the T. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore a tactile spider map, and customers who present a current MCB identification card can apply for a Blind Access Pass through the CharlieCard Store, good for travel throughout the MBTA fixed-route system.

For more information, visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot blog: http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/, or follow MassDOT on twitter at https://twitter.com/MassDOT and Facebook at www.facebook.com/massdotinfo.

CONTACT:
MassDOT Press Office: 857-368-8500