RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) -Members and friends of Rapid Area Vision Education marked the 63rd White Cane Awareness Day Wednesday with a downtown walk for independence.
The group gathered at 10:30 a.m. in the Hoyt Room of the Rapid City Public Library, then walked mainly north on 6th Street to Fork Real Community Cafe at 507 Main St. for lunch, using white canes, smart glasses, sighted guides and dog guides.
The observance dates to 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson first proclaimed White Cane Safety Day. Mayor Jason Salamun and Gov. Larry Rhoden both issued proclamations recognizing Oct. 15, 2026, as White Cane Day in Rapid City and South Dakota, recognizing the cane as a right and a tool for competitive employment…