2008 Observances Calendar
Florida Blind Service's observances are days, weeks, or months devoted to help prevent blindness or vision loss or to provide public information regarding issues related to blindness.
January
World Braille Day - January 4th
January 4th is designated World Braille Day because Louis Braille, who invented Braille, was born on January 4, 1809.
Braille Literacy Month: January 1 - 31
January is designated as Braille Literacy Month since Louis Braille, who in
National Glaucoma Awareness Month: January 1 - 31
More than 2 million Americans age 40 and older suffer from glaucoma. Nearly half do not know they have the disease—it causes no early symptoms.
February
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month: February 1 - 28
Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss, affecting 1.6 million Americans age 50 and older. Low vision aids can make the most of remaining vision.
Black History Month
Glaucoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness among African-Americans, who represent half of the estimated 3 million Americans who have the disease.
March
Workplace Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month: March 1 - 31
Can you see the dangers in your workplace? Accidents at work are a major cause of preventable blindness.
National Eye Donor Month: March 1- 31
The Eye Bank Association of America's mission is the restoration of sight through the promotion and advancement of eye banking. March is designated as eye donor month.
Save Your Vision Month: March 1- 31
The
American Optometric Association is taking the lead in improving the eye and visual health through its own initiative, Healthy Eyes Healthy
People. There are checklists, diet tips, and more at http://www.aoa.org/x1688.xml
American Diabetes Alert Day: 4th Tuesday of March
The American Diabetes Alert is an annual, one-day call-to-action held on the fourth Tuesday of March for people to find out if they are at risk for diabetes. Could you have diabetes? Find out. It could save you sight.
April
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month: April 1 - 30
Women often manage family health concerns. Do you know how to protect your sight? Hormonal changes, age and smoking can endanger sight.
National Library Week - April 13-19, 2008
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national
observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and
libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate
the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to
promote library use and support. All types of libraries – school,
public, academic and special – participate. In
2006, National Library Week is being promoted with the theme,
"Change your world @ your library®".
Future National Library Week dates:
- 2009 - April 12-18
- 2010 - April 4 -10
- 2011 - April 10-16
National Library Workers Day - April 15, 2008
The Allied Professional Association of the American Library Association (ALA-APA) annually sponsors National Library Workers Day, which falls on the Tuesday of National Library Week. The purpose is to recognize all library workers, including librarians, support staff and others who make library service possible every day.
May
National Sight-Saving Month: Ultraviolet Awareness - May 1 - 31
Exposure to UV rays can burn delicate eye tissue and raise the risk of developing cataracts and cancers of the eye. Protecting your eyes from UV dangers and choosing the right sunglasses is important.
Older Americans Month: May 1-31
Older Americans Month is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs and other such activities. Celebrate this year by getting an eye exam. Your sight is important.
Healthy Vision Month: May 1- 31
"Eye Safety At Work Is Everyone's Business" is the theme for Healthy Vision Month 2006, which focuses on Healthy People 2010 Vision Objective 28-8: Reduce occupational eye injury. The National Eye Institute, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the National Safety Council are co-sponsors of this event.
June
Vision Research Month: June 1 - 30
While millions of Americans benefit from vision research, many eye diseases have no effective treatments or cures. An overview of vision research successes and the urgent need for future studies will be covered. For information, email shecker@preventblindness.org, or call 1-800-331-2020.
Helen Keller Deaf- Blind Awareness Week: June 25 - July 1
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind sponsors Deaf-Blind Awareness week. Since 1984, the week of June 27th (Helen Keller's birthday) has been designated Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week.
Eye Safety Awareness Week: June 27 - July 5
July
Fireworks Safety Month: June and July
Activities during this period will alert parents and children to the dangers of playing with fireworks.
August
Children's Eye Health and Safety Month: August 1 - August 31
Included in this month will be information about amblyopia, a condition that can affect 2 to 3% of children and cause permanent vision loss.
Cataract Awareness Month: August 1 - August 31
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world. There are close to 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older with cataract. By age 80, more than half of all Americans will have cataract.
September
Sports and Home Eye Safety Month: September 1 - 30
There are thousands of eye injuries a year related to common household products and sports. Tips on how to protect yourself and your children from such eye injuries will be discussed.
Healthy Aging Month: September 1 -3 0
Educational Television Network, Inc.
National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration: September 17 - 23
National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation
October
White Cane Safety Day: October 15th
The Congress, by joint resolution (Public Law 88-628) approved on October 6, 1964, as amended, has designated October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day."
National Disability Employment Awareness Month: 1 - 31
Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor
Halloween Safety Month: October 1 - 31
Eye Injury Prevention Month: October 1 - 31
American Academy of Ophthalmology
November
Diabetic Eye Disease Month: November 1 - 30
Can people with diabetes prevent the onset of diabetic eye disease?
Prematurity Awareness Month: November 1 - 30
www.marchofdimes.com Materials available. Contact: Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center
December
Safe Toys and Gifts Month: December 1 - 31
What are the most dangerous toys to children's eyesight?