GCOPD observes Int’l White Cane Day with call for greater inclusion, accessibility

The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) observes International White Cane Day by highlighting the white cane’s significance – not only as a vital tool for safe and independent mobility, but also as a powerful symbol of pride, dignity, and the inherent right to inclusion for persons who are blind or partially sighted across Guyana.
The white cane is a visible declaration that persons who are blind are integral members of society. It represents identity, independence, and the continued fight for equal rights and recognition.

“The white cane is more than a mobility aid – it’s a statement that persons who are blind or partially sighted are fully present in our communities and entitled to the same rights, services, and opportunities as every other Guyanese,” GCOPD Programme Manager Ganesh Singh related.
While GCOPD acknowledges the progress made by the Government of Guyana – including initiatives aimed at increasing opportunities and promoting independent living for persons with disabilities – it emphasises that significant barriers still persist. These include inaccessible public spaces, discriminatory attitudes, and continued exclusion from essential services.
On this International White Cane Day, GCOPD calls on all stakeholders to ensure full accessibility in public infrastructure, transportation, and digital platforms, including all web-based services; eliminate barriers that prevent persons who are blind or partially sighted from accessing services; implement measures to guarantee equal access – such as allowing individuals to open and manage their own bank accounts as sole account holders – and strengthen and enforce legal protections for the rights of all persons with disabilities, particularly those who are blind or partially sighted.
GCOPD remains committed to advocating for a society where every individual, regardless of ability, can live with dignity, autonomy, and full inclusion.