Mississippi Emerge Center for the Blind hosts White Cane Safety Day Walk

LONG BEACH, Miss. (WXXV)- A walk in Long Beach is shining a light on independence, accessibility, and safety for people who are blind or visually impaired.

The Mississippi Emerge Center for the Blind held its inaugural White Cane Safety Day Walk, bringing the community together for an important message.

White Cane Safety Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness for people who are blind or visually impaired.

The walk began at the Long Beach Pavilion with participants making their way through the community on a one-mile route to the Mississippi Emerge Center for the Blind.

The event also included the dedication of a new Mississippi Department of Transportation sign along Highway 90. Mississippi Emerge Center Director Macaulay Beasley said, “We all got together and brought this program together and it turned out perfectly. So, if you weren’t there, it was a good treat.”

The white cane is more than just a mobility tool. It represents freedom, confidence, and independence.

It also signals to drivers and pedestrians to use caution and yield, helping make communities safer and more inclusive. Long Beach Mayor Tim Pierce said, “A lot of people don’t realize this is one of seven blind centers across the United States and it’s the only one in the state of Mississippi. So, I’m very proud that they picked the City of Long Beach. And I want to be a part of helping this center grow.”