Uijeongbu City Successfully Hosts the 23rd Uijeongbu Welfare Event for the Visually Impaired

White Cane as a Symbol of Independence and Achievement

Uijeongbu City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Dong-geun) successfully held the "23rd Uijeongbu Visually Impaired Welfare Festival" on the 15th at the Hanul Hall of the Youth Training Center.

Mayor Kim Dong-geun is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 23rd Uijeongbu Welfare Festival for the Visually Impaired on the 15th. Photo by Uijeongbu City

This event was organized to commemorate the "45th White Cane Day" (October 15), officially designated by the World Blind Union in 1980, and the "98th Braille Day" (November 4), which celebrates the excellence of Braille founded by the late Park Doo-seong.

About 200 visually impaired individuals and volunteers attended, participating in the reading of the White Cane Charter, an awards ceremony honoring contributors to the promotion of visually impaired rights, and other commemorative and side events.

Mayor Kim Dong-geun stated, "The white cane is not just a simple tool to assist the mobility of visually impaired people, but a symbol embodying their independence and achievements," adding, "We will continue to strive to guarantee the rights of the visually impaired and improve their quality of life."

Meanwhile, among the registered disabled in Uijeongbu City, 2,221 are visually impaired, accounting for 9.9% of the total disabled population. The city operates various programs for the rehabilitation and convenience of the visually impaired, including basic rehabilitation education and the operation of a mobility support center.