bout the White Cane Project
At the White Cane Project, our mission is to provide free navigation canes to individuals who may not have the means to acquire them. We understand that mobility and independence are fundamental rights, and we are dedicated to making sure that those with visual challenges can access the tools they need to navigate their world confidently. We operate both in the United States and around the globe to ensure that anyone who requires a white cane can obtain one without financial barriers.
Our Journey
Do you remember the moment when you first realized you needed a navigation cane? That feeling of uncertainty, of not knowing what lay ahead, or how you would adapt to this new way of moving through the world? We understand that this realization can be both daunting and challenging.
Do you recall those early days when you weren’t sure about using a white cane? The hesitation, the questions, and the fear of judgment from others? Many individuals who are visually impaired experience these emotions as they embark on their journey toward greater independence.
We also remember the transformative power of Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training. The guidance and support received during O&M training can be a turning point in one’s life. It’s a process that empowers individuals to embrace their white cane as a tool of liberation rather than a symbol of limitation.
Becoming Friends with Your Navigation Cane
Our team at the White Cane Project believes in the incredible bond that can form between an individual and their white cane. We’ve seen firsthand how people’s outlooks change after they become friends with their navigation cane. It’s not just a tool; it becomes a companion on the journey to greater independence.
Through our non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, we strive to ensure that if you are visually challenged, you can access a white cane, regardless of your financial circumstances. We understand that financial constraints should never be a barrier to achieving mobility and autonomy. Together, we can empower individuals to embrace their visual challenges and navigate the world with confidence.
Join us in making a difference. Together, we can ensure that no one is left in the dark, and everyone has the opportunity to form a lifelong friendship with their navigation cane. Together, we can light the way towards independence.
Meet Our Team
Meet Our Board of Directors
Mary Sotelo, President of White Cane Project with twenty years’ experience in the medical field serving others in all aspects of their lives. I strive to provide white navigation canes to all blind PEOPLE that are unable to obtain due to poor living CONDITIONS HERE AT HOME AND ABROAD. Due to going blind myself eight years ago I do not want anyone going without help.
Albert
Justin
Meet Our Directors
Philip Sotelo – Executive Director
I was born and raised in South Texas. I held a 17-year career as a police officer where I retired as a Sergeant. My career had to end due to vision loss brought on By Retinitis Pigmentosa. It was a difficult time for me and I eventually worked on placing my complete faith in God.
As my faith grew, I realized that I have been given a servant’s heart and together with my wife, Mary, we created The White Cane Project.
Kelvin Crosby -Marketing Director
Meet Kelvin, widely recognized as the ‘DeafBlind Potter’ on TikTok. With over 15 years of experience as a white cane and guide dog user, Kelvin has not only defied challenges but also become an inventive force. He is the mastermind behind the ‘See me Cane,’ a groundbreaking lighted blind cane designed for heightened safety and independence. Additionally, Kelvin plays a pivotal role at the White Cane Project, where he actively contributes his expertise in website development and drives comprehensive marketing strategies. Through these endeavors, Kelvin is dedicated to empowering and improving the lives of individuals with visual impairments