The Department of Ophthalmology at Kirov State Medical University held a thematic educational event for international students dedicated to International White Cane Day. The main goal of this awareness-raising occasion was to remind future medical specialists about the life experiences of people with visual disabilities, who perceive the world around them in a completely different way.

      The event program included a theoretical discussion and a practical segment. During the discussion, students and instructors examined in detail the rules of etiquette and interaction with blind people in society, as well as ways to offer assistance correctly on the street. Participants discussed modern assistive technologies available to blind professionals and explored pathways for society's transition from sympathy to equal partnership.

      Particular interest was sparked by the practical part of the meeting, which featured an interactive experiment. Students were asked to identify various objects with their eyes closed, relying exclusively on touch. This exercise allowed future physicians to engage other senses, develop tactile sensitivity, and personally assess the peculiarities of perceiving the surrounding world in the absence of the visual analyser. The event concluded with a joint discussion during which participants exchanged opinions and noted the high importance of developing professional empathy, as well as the significance of creating an accessible, barrier-free environment in future medical practice.