In September 2026, the Swiss Central Association for the Blind SZBLIND will award the “Prix de la Canne blanche 2026” for the tenth time. It honors innovative and solidarity-based projects from Switzerland that support people with blindness, visual impairment and deafblindness. As in previous editions, a public jury will select the winning project from the finalists. The SZBLIND invites you to submit projects by March 13th, 2026.
The “Prix de la Canne blanche”, which is awarded by the Swiss Central Association for the Blind SZBLIND as the umbrella organization for the visually impaired, recognizes special achievements in the inclusion of people with blindness, visual impairment and deafblindness in Switzerland. The award raises awareness of the need to take the concerns and problems of affected people in Switzerland seriously and recognizes innovations that eliminate impairments in everyday life. The prize is awarded to projects in the fields of technology or human sciences that make Switzerland more accessible – and enable people with blindness, visual impairment or deafblindness to participate in everyday life as independently as possible.
A national jury of experts will select three finalists from the nominations submitted. These three projects will then be put out to public vote via the online portal 20 Minuten, which is also represented on the jury. The public will then decide on the winning project. The award ceremony will take place on the afternoon of September 15th, 2026 at the Kinokoni event location in Zurich. The prize is a bronze statue – and above all public attention.
The winning project of the last 2023 edition was biped with NOA: a navigation system that guides blind and visually impaired pedestrians safely through traffic with the help of AI and audio instructions. “Originating from a hackathon, NOA developed into a comprehensive mobility solution. Winning the Prix de la Canne blanche gave the project a decisive boost. Today, affected people around the world use the AI vest,” says Kathrin Schellenberg, PR / Communications Manager at SZBLIND.
Do you know of a project that promotes the inclusion of people with blindness, visual impairment and deafblindness? Or someone who is particularly committed to the concerns of affected people? We look forward to receiving interesting project submissions. These can be made by organizations, institutions or private individuals. Further information on the “Prix de la Canne blanche 2026” and how to submit a project is available on the SZBLIND website.
SZBLIND – At the side of blind and deafblind people
The Swiss Central Association for the Blind SZBLIND works every day to ensure that people with deafblindness, hearing impairment, blindness and visual impairment in Switzerland can lead their lives independently and on their own responsibility. It is the umbrella organization for the Swiss blind, visually impaired and hearing-impaired. It advises and accompanies deafblind and hearing-impaired people and their relatives and trains volunteers to become companions. It develops and sells special aids that make everyday life easier for those affected.
The SZBLIND informs the public about interesting facts about the blind and hearing impaired, initiates and coordinates research projects and ensures the training and further education of specialists in Switzerland. His work alongside affected people improves their quality of life. Thanks to customized support services, they are able to live their lives as independently as possible. SZBLIND is ZEWO-certified.
