Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality has launched “Independent Mobility Practice” training for blind people as part of White Cane Safety Week (7–14 January).

Within the scope of White Cane Safety Week, the Department of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly has initiated a month-long “Independent Mobility Practice” training programme at the Yenişehir Şehitlik Rest House, aimed at enabling blind people to move independently and safely.

The training will cover a range of topics, from sensory discrimination and search techniques to orientation skills. Participants will also receive instruction on guiding and being guided, as well as the use of the cane.

Through this training, participants will be encouraged to make greater use of canes, while also being supported to move more independently and safely. In addition, white canes were distributed by the Metropolitan Municipality to the blind participants of the programme.

Those wishing to take part in the training should apply to the Department of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly at Sümerpark Shared Living Space.

‘The White Cane is in Fact the Meaning of Life’

Trainer Abdülmecit Yılmaz, who is himself blind, said that the training was organised to enable blind people to live independently. Yılmaz explained:

“Various activities are being held on the occasion of White Cane Safety Week, 7–14 January. We are running this training to raise awareness among people. At the same time, we want our blind friends to be encouraged to leave their homes. We have started the training with 10 participants. This course will run for one month. After the training, we aim for our friends to make widespread use of the white cane. The white cane is in fact the meaning of life, because when we want to go from one place to another outside, we use it to detect the obstacles in front of us and to walk comfortably.”