When last did you have to think before taking a step?

For most people, walking is automatic. However, for someone who is visually impaired, every step requires decision-making, awareness and confidence.

It’s this reality that sits at the heart of the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind’s (SAGDA)

Every Step Matters campaign, running from May 2026 to March 2027, with a national drive between May and July 2026.

The campaign highlights the work of the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind (SAGDA)’s Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Department, which equips visually impaired South Africans with the skills needed to navigate their surroundings safely and independently.

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More than a white cane

While the white cane is widely recognised as a symbol of independence, it is only one part of the journey.

For over 53 years, SAGDA’s Orientation and Mobility Department has been teaching individuals how to use that cane effectively and how to navigate the world around them with confidence.

Over this time, thousands of visually impaired South Africans have been trained, gaining practical skills that support daily life.

This includes:
• Moving safely within the home and community
• Navigating streets, public spaces and transport
• Travelling to work, school or social environments
• Building confidence in unfamiliar surroundings

The department also runs an accredited training college, developing qualified practitioners who go on to train others across the country, extending this work far beyond a single location.

Taking a step toward independence

Independence can mean different things to different people.

For someone who is visually impaired, it may be travelling to work alone for the first time, finding their way across a campus, or simply moving through a familiar space with greater confidence.

Orientation and Mobility training focuses on these everyday realities, helping individuals understand their surroundings and move safely within them.

“Every step represents progress,” said Vanda Harries, head of marketing at SAGDA.

“It might be a short distance, but it can allow access to education, employment and community life. That’s why every step matters”.

Why this campaign matters

The Every Step Matters campaign highlights the importance of practical training in building independence and the role that public support plays in making that training accessible.

Each contribution helps to:
• Provide white canes and mobility equipment
• Support structured training in real-life environments
• Expand access to qualified practitioners through the accredited college

How to support

SAGDA invites members of the public to support the campaign and help expand access to independent mobility for visually impaired South Africans.

To learn more or contribute, visit: Every Step Matters – South African Guide-Dogs AssociationSAGDA invites members of the public to support the campaign and help expand access to independent mobility for visually impaired South Africans.

To learn more or contribute, visit: Every Step Matters – South African Guide-Dogs Association

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