- Categories:
- Health
- Tags:
- AwarenessEducational
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every October
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- 🦯
Blindness Awareness Month shines a light on the visually impaired community throughout October. This month encourages education on eye health, promotes accessibility, and advocates for those living with blindness. Learn how to get involved, support vital research, and raise awareness for this important cause.
Want to sponsor Blindness Awareness Month? Learn how
Expected Blindness Awareness Month Deals
During Blindness Awareness Month, commercial brands and non-profits often collaborate to raise funds and awareness. Look for organizations like the American Foundation for the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind to partner with retailers for donation drives and special campaigns. Companies such as Warby Parker may offer programs promoting eye health screenings, while technology firms like Apple highlight accessibility features in their products. Retailers like Target or Walmart might feature products that aid daily living for the visually impaired. We will update this page with confirmed live initiatives as October approaches.
Platform Guide for Blindness Awareness Month
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #BlindnessAwarenessMonth. Share facts, resources, and personal stories to amplify the conversation.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #BlindnessAwarenessMonth. Join community discussions and share event details.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #BlindnessAwarenessMonth. Post visuals that promote accessibility, share infographics, or highlight inspiring individuals.
Blindness Awareness Month Hero
Helen Keller
History of Blindness Awareness Month
Blindness Awareness Month launched in October 2009 from The Little Rock Foundation, an organization in Voorhees, New Jersey, dedicated to serving families with blind or visually impaired children. Tina and Rocco Fiorentino formed The Little Rock Foundation one year after the birth of their child, Rocco, who was born four months premature and blind. As Ambassador for The Little Rock Foundation, Rocco has shown the world blindness doesn’t prevent people from living life to the fullest.
Blindness Awareness Month seeks to accomplish many things:
- Education: Companies around the world teach the public about good eye health and the latest research and innovations in the treatment of eye disorders.
- Inspiration: Stories are shared about blind or visually impaired people accomplishing incredible things most sighted people do not attempt.
- Advocacy: Organizations garner support for more resources, research, access, and laws that enable people with visual impairments to live fully productive lives and contribute equally to their communities.
There is no shortage of ways to learn about, celebrate, and support the visually impaired community throughout Blindness Awareness Month.
Blindness Awareness Month timeline
The Little Rock Foundation in Voorhees, New Jersey created Blindness Awareness Month to be recognized every October to promote improving blind and visually impaired children's lives.
​The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness proposed Vision 2020 to advocate eliminating needless visual impairment and helping those with unavoidable vision loss reach their life's full potential.
​​The National Federation of the Blind created the Newsline for the Blind — giving blind and visually impaired people access to newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals using touch-tone phones.
​​At age 15, Louis Braille developed his first writing system that led to modern-day Braille, allowing the visually impaired to read through a series of raised dots on embossed paper.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Blindness Awareness Month
Local businesses can observe Blindness Awareness Month by reviewing and enhancing their physical and digital accessibility. Consider offering staff training on interacting with visually impaired customers and ensuring websites meet WCAG standards. Retailers can highlight products designed for accessibility, while service providers can offer special workshops or resources focused on eye health and support for the blind community. Partnering with local vision charities for a donation drive or awareness event can also demonstrate corporate social responsibility.
Blindness Awareness Month FAQs
When is Blindness Awareness Month?
Blindness Awareness Month runs throughout October 2026, from Thursday, October 1, to Saturday, October 31. It’s a dedicated time to focus on the blind and visually impaired community.
How many people are affected by blindness or visual impairment?
Globally, an estimated 2.2 billion people live with some form of visual impairment or blindness. A significant portion of these cases, around 1 billion, could have been prevented or are yet to be addressed, highlighting the importance of awareness and access to care.
What are the leading causes of blindness?
The leading causes of blindness and visual impairment globally include uncorrected refractive errors, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Many of these conditions are treatable or preventable with early detection and access to appropriate care.
What is the significance of the white cane?
The white cane is an internationally recognized symbol of blindness and an essential tool for many visually impaired individuals. It allows users to detect obstacles and navigate their environment safely, while also signaling to others that the person using it has limited or no vision.
How to Observe Blindness Awareness Month
Donate money
In the name of a relative, friend, or even yourself —donate to an organization helping the visually impaired. Organizations like the National Federation of the Blind or the Foundation Fighting Blindness work year-round to fund research to prevent and cure conditions causing vision impairment or blindness. Your donations support their research in areas such as genetics, transplantation, retinal implants, and nutritional and pharmaceutical therapies.
Read to someone
Do you know a legally impaired or blind student? Does your elderly neighbor struggle to read books, newspapers, or magazines? Volunteer to read to them. This is a meaningful way to spend time with someone who is visually challenged and may not have tools to read on their own.
Volunteer to Be My Eyes
Be My Eyes is a free app connecting visually impaired people with sighted volunteers who lend their eyes to help them lead more independent lives. Join over 3 million volunteers worldwide who assist with everyday activities such as navigating new surroundings, distinguishing colors, and reading instructions.
5 Tips For Maintaining Eye Health
​Watch your sugar
​Diabetics are 25 times more likely to develop blindness or visual impairment than non-diabetics.
​Wash your hands
​We don’t realize how many times we touch our face and eyes each day, especially if we wear contacts; washing your hands prevents the spread of bacteria and germs which can lead to pink-eye, colds, and other ailments.
​Wear sunglasses
Protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays by wearing sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection.
​Monitor device time
To avoid eye strain from time in front of your electronic devices, take frequent breaks to focus on a far-away object; adjust brightness, and use soothing eye drops, as needed.
Get checked out
​Many eye disorders could be easily treated or even prevented through early detection; make an appointment with your eye doctor today!
WHY BLINDNESS AWARENESS MONTH IS IMPORTANT
It helps us understand vision problems
Education is key. Throughout Blindness Awareness Month, many companies provide educational events to teach employees about eye disorder prevention. Ask your Benefits department for more information on your vision plan to ensure you are getting the most from your insurance coverage.
It gives us hope
Blindness Awareness Month is a time for sharing stories of hope as much as it is understanding the alarming statistics. It gives blind and visually impaired people a platform for telling their own stories as well as inspiring others to overcome the stigma of their disabilities. This month reminds us that we don't have to be defined by our physical limitations.
It serves as a reminder
While there are many opportunities to learn about the blind and visually impaired community throughout October, it’s better to allow this time to serve as a reminder that protecting our vision and helping those who suffer from low or no vision is something we can do year-round. Start forming new habits this month that continue throughout the year whether that is volunteering with the visually impaired or taking care of your eye health.
Social Media Tips for Blindness Awareness Month
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