Burlington Unveils Plaque Honoring Advocate Anne Connelly

The city memorializes the pioneer and her guide dog to mark the centennial of the Vermont Association for the Blind.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Special Needs

Bold vector editorial illustration of a white cane leaning against a red brick wall, symbolizing public support and historical memory. — Burlington officials unveiled a memorial plaque honoring Anne Connelly, a trailblazing advocate for the blind, during White Cane Awareness Day ceremonies. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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City officials installed a new plaque in Burlington to celebrate the legacy of Anne Connelly, a trailblazer for blind advocacy in Vermont. The unveiling coincided with a march marking White Cane Awareness Day.

Why it matters

The recognition celebrates Connelly for her early 20th-century work surveying residents and opening schools for the blind. It also highlights the 100th anniversary of the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

There are currently 15,000 Vermonters living with blindness or visual impairment, a figure projected to grow to 25,000. The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is currently marking its 100th anniversary.

The players

Anne Connelly

She was a dedicated advocate for the blind who surveyed residents and established educational programs across Vermont.

Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

This organization is celebrating 100 years of providing services and support to blind and visually impaired individuals in the state.

Helen Keller

She was a world-renowned author and disability rights activist who visited Vermont in 1926.

The details

Participants gathered to walk from 200 Pearl Street to City Hall in an event commemorating White Cane Awareness Day. The new memorial specifically honors Connelly and her guide dog Betty, who made history as the first registered guide dog in the state.

1889: Anne Connelly was born.
1912: Connelly opened the first school for blind people in St. Albans.
1926: Helen Keller visited Vermont.
1930: Connelly walked on Church Street with a guide dog.
October 16, 2026: The ceremony honoring Anne Connelly occurred.

Culture Shift

This tribute to Anne Connelly reflects the long-term shift toward legal and social accessibility for blind individuals in Vermont. The public recognition follows the precedent established by the 1949 White Cane Act, which formally codified rights for those using assistive canes.

The plaque serves as a public reminder of local history for residents walking through downtown Burlington. It highlights the long-standing efforts to integrate accessibility into the city's infrastructure and community programs.

The takeaway

The ceremony serves as a reminder of the historical fight for accessibility that informs modern community support services. Residents are encouraged to learn more about the evolving needs of the state's growing visually impaired population.