The Vinton Police Department partnered with the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision
Impaired (DBVI) and the Vinton Breakfast Lions Club to celebrate National Disability
Employee Awareness Month and White Cane Day on Oct. 15 at the Community Center in the
Vinton War Memorial parking lot.
celebrated National Disability Employee Awareness Month in Vinton on Oct. 15. (photos by Debbie Adams)
Julianna Drumond, Regional Manager of the DBVI Roanoke office, who facilitated the event in
Vinton.
October 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month
(NDEAM), an annual recognition of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the
American workforce.
White Cane Safety Day, observed nationally since 1964, celebrates the independence,
achievements, and contributions of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The white
cane has become a powerful symbol of mobility and independence for those navigating their
communities safely.
In Virginia, as in many other states, laws are in place to ensure the safety and protection of
individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Events like this seek to raise awareness about
those laws while also educating the public about the mission of DBVI’s Roanoke Office, which
provides essential services that enhance the quality of life, independence, and inclusion of
Virginians who are blind or visually impaired.
The DBVI provides services to individuals who are blind, deaf, or have other vision impairments
caused by, but not limited to: Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy,
Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stroke, Trauma, etc. Currently over 179,000 Virginians are personally
affected by a severe visual impairment.
Services include vocational rehabilitation, assisting with employment options, business
enterprise programs, workforce development services, rehabilitation and independent living
services, orientation and mobility specialists, low vision services, and more.
The Vinton event included live music, free hot dogs provided by the Vinton Police Department,
free chocolate-covered pretzels from Sweet Spot, and many employees from the Roanoke DBVI
offices sharing information on the numerous available services from their agency.
Most of them usually work in the field with the blind and visually impaired, not in an office. One
of their main goals is to help those affected by a disability to remain independent for as long as possible by making adaptations to their homes and even workplaces so they can better manage
their job responsibilities.
The DBVI employees brought along many “tools and tips” to make daily living easier, especially
if the person lives alone. A main focus in enabling independent living is mastering kitchen skills,
from cutting to labeling pantry items and medications. There are cell phone apps, talking clocks,
books on tape, ScripTalk talking prescription labels, and a “say when” gadget that lets you know
when your coffee cup is full. Many types of technology are available including large computer
screens.
The department is a state agency and thus able to provide many free services.
They also brought along some historic items, such as a Braille machine and a Helen Keller
Barbie.
Other highlights of the Vinton event included:
- Magnification Station to explore quality magnifiers and digital magnification equipment.
- A Braille Trail where visitors could learn more about Braille and take home a souvenir.
- A Cane Course to test out your skills using a white cane while wearing simulators to
navigate a course with guidance - The Lions Club selling White Canes and offering free readers, sunglasses, lens wipes,
etc. The Lions are a service organization; one of their main projects is recycling
eyeglasses, many of which are sent to other countries. - The band featuring blind musician Dennis Helms, Vinton Police Lt. Myke Caldwell,
Vinton Breakfast Lions Club President Justin Fix, Lion Gary Myers, and Dan Chitwood. - A Cane Code with information about the Code of Virginia’s laws regarding White Canes.
Myke Caldwell, Dennis Helms, and Dan Chitwood.
The facts about White Cane Laws in Virginia are:
- Under Virginia Law, blind and visually impaired individuals using a white cane or guide
dog have the legal right-of-way when crossing roads. - It is a Class 3 misdemeanor if drivers fail to yield to a blind pedestrian using a white cane
or guide dog. - It is illegal for non-disabled individuals to carry a white cane in public as a symbol of
blindness. - Drivers must take all reasonable precautions to avoid accidents with cane users.
There were tips on how to show courtesy to the blind as well:
- Offer assistance directly to a blind person in a normal tone to help them locate you.
- Permit a blind person to take your arm when guiding them.
- When walking with a blind person, proceed at a normal pace; hesitate slightly before
stepping up or down; and don’t drag them over the curb. Caution them of unusual
obstructions. - Don’t point when giving directions or use landmarks as identifiers.
- When showing a blind person to a chair, put their hand on the back of it.
- When serving food to a blind person, offer to read the menu, including prices. Don’t
hesitate to offer assistance in cutting and serving. - Speak directly to the blind person; don’t let your face (and voice) wander.
- If making change with bills of more than one denomination, hand them the bills and
identify each. This is not necessary with coins. - Police officers should identify themselves as such when approaching a blind person.
They might be more likely to ask for assistance from an officer than from others. - Don’t pity them. Thousands are successful workers and working toward independence
through the DVBI.
The event was coordinated by Julianna Drumond, Regional Manager with the Roanoke office
DBVI. For more information on services the DBVI provides, call the Roanoke office at 540-561-
7475.
