What’s Happening?
Townsville resident Michelle Orth is using International White Cane Day to raise awareness about accessibility and independence for people living with vision loss.
A Guide Dogs Queensland Hero Ambassador and white cane user, Michelle is drawing on her personal experience to encourage community action.
Her message follows the See Your Way activation at Willows Shopping Centre on Sunday, 11 October 2026.
The event invited participants to complete a maze-style obstacle course using white canes and vision simulators.
Through the activity, community members gained a small insight into the everyday barriers faced by people who are blind or have low vision.
Why It Matters
For Michelle, accessibility is closely connected to independence, something she struggled to maintain after losing her vision later in life.
Her declining eyesight eventually made it unsafe to travel independently, forcing her to surrender her driver’s licence.
“I have Macular Degeneration in my right eye and Glaucoma in my left eye, and I started using a white cane because it was no longer safe for me to navigate the public or to drive by myself.”
Losing the ability to drive also affected her confidence and changed how she approached everyday activities.
“The biggest loss and the hardest thing to adjust to was losing my independence. Before I started with Guide Dogs Queensland’s services and the white cane, I lost all my confidence when I had to hand my license in. It felt like I lost my independence completely,” Michelle said.
Her experience highlights how vision loss can affect more than mobility, particularly when familiar activities become difficult without assistance.
Local Impact
Michelle is encouraging Townsville residents to recognise how everyday obstacles can make public spaces difficult or unsafe for white cane users.
Uneven footpaths, overhanging branches, unexpected obstructions and damaged tactile indicators can create significant challenges for people with limited vision.
As part of her advocacy, she is promoting Snap Send Solve, a reporting platform that helps residents flag local accessibility concerns.
“Snap Send Solver allows the community to help people like myself to be able to see. So, if you’re out in the community and you see a crack in the pavement or a branch that is sticking up, Snap Send Solve helps the council fix these issues so people living with low vision or blindness can navigate the world more safely,” Michelle said.
By reporting these hazards, residents can help bring attention to problems that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The initiative also encourages the community to consider how accessible footpaths and public spaces support greater independence.
By the Numbers
- 15 October 2026: International White Cane Day falls on Thursday, highlighting the importance of white canes, independence and accessible public spaces.
- October 2022: Michelle first connected with Guide Dogs Queensland after losing her driver’s licence, receiving specialist support to regain her mobility confidence.
- Two eye conditions: Michelle lives with macular degeneration in her right eye and glaucoma in her left, affecting her ability to move independently.
Zoom In
Michelle’s experience changed when she connected with Guide Dogs Queensland and received practical mobility training.
After losing her driver’s licence, she was introduced to a local Orientation and Mobility Specialist who helped her learn to travel using a white cane.
“I first became connected with Guide Dogs Queensland in October of 2022 after losing my driver’s licence. They put me in touch with the local Orientation and Mobility Specialist and she taught me everything I know about mobility today. Having the right support and the tools that Guide Dogs has taught me has given me a new outlook on my vision loss completely. I don’t feel so isolated, I feel like I can take on the world.”
Now, she is using that experience to encourage greater understanding of the challenges faced by others living with blindness or low vision.
Zoom Out
While See Your Way focused on accessibility in Townsville, the event also highlighted Guide Dogs Queensland’s wider role.
The organisation supports Queenslanders living with blindness or low vision, helping people develop the skills and confidence needed for independent mobility.
The event also included donations to Guide Dogs Queensland, supporting the charity’s ongoing services.
Beyond fundraising, the activation encouraged participants to think differently about public spaces and the people who rely on them.
By allowing residents to try white canes and vision simulators, the event aimed to turn awareness into greater understanding and practical community action.
What To Look For Next?
The awareness raised through See Your Way could encourage more residents to report damaged footpaths, obstructions and other hazards through Snap Send Solve.
For Michelle, greater community understanding and continued accessibility improvements could help make public spaces safer and more welcoming for people living with vision loss.
