Mobility canes for people with visual impairments - Sense (2024)

FAQs

Do visually impaired people use canes? ›

A white cane is a device used by many people who are blind or visually impaired. A white cane primarily allows its user to scan their surroundings for obstacles or orientation marks, but is also helpful for onlookers in identifying the user as blind or visually impaired and taking appropriate care.

White canes are important mobility tools for their users. White canes allow people who are blind, DeafBlind, or visually impaired to navigate the world around them safely and independently.

A white support cane can identify you as a person who is blind or low vision. The probing cane (more commonly called a “white cane” or a “long cane”) probes for and locates obstacles in your path of travel.

Head-height obstacles such as tree branches are a major concern. In many cases, objects above knee level are also not sensed until it is too late. For example, if there is a table in the path of the user, the cane may pass between the table legs, under the tabletop.

1. Enhanced Obstacle Detection: Safety first! Stay safe and aware with WeWALK Smart Cane 2, featuring custom-designed detection technology that alerts you to overhead obstacles through haptic and audible feedback, all while maintaining the ground-level feedback of a standard white cane.

Mobility canes are a form of mobility aid that enable blind or visually impaired people to go about their daily business when out and about, especially in unfamiliar areas. White mobility canes are used by many people who have a visual impairment.

Canes, like hats, were often part of someone's "haberdashery" back in the day. These ubiquitous black canes were not readily visible to sighted people to indicate someone's blindness. Accidents happened.

Blue or yellow added to the white cane signifies that the user is blind or low vision. Small children are trained with colored canes to encourage them to use their cane.

An all-white cane means that the user is completely blind and has no usable vision. A white cane with a red bottom means that the user has low, but some usable vision. A white and red striped cane means that the user is totally blind and/or deaf.

If you are not self-assured of your body's abilities, this could be a tell-tale sign that you would benefit from a walker instead of a cane. To handle a walking stick, it will take a certain degree of upper-body strength.

What does it mean if a pedestrian is using a white cane? ›

A totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a predominantly white cane (with or without a red tip), or using a guide dog, shall have the right-of-way, and the driver of any vehicle approaching this pedestrian, who fails to yield the right-of-way, or to take all reasonably necessary precautions to avoid ...

The problems that blind people face when outdoors include colliding with obstacles, navigating staircases, and slipping on damp terrain. Blind people face the challenge of avoiding various types of obstacles when walking outdoors, which can vary in configuration, danger level, and dynamics.

Certain medical conditions may necessitate the need for a cane. Having a diagnosis such as a stroke/CVA, Parkinson's Disease, peripheral neuropathy, vertigo, or multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause strength, flexibility, and balance issues to the point that a cane is necessary for safe walking.

Not all persons considered blind use a long white cane or dog guide. People who are visually impaired often rely on their remaining sight and auditory and tactile cues in their surroundings for orientation and travel. Some may also use aids such as telescopes for specific tasks.

Rolling marshmallow tip

It is one of the most common cane tips and allows users to go across a variety of surfaces with ease and have constant contact with the ground. This is my everyday cane and I have tons of friends that use it as well- the marshmallow tip appears in the emoji for blindness canes as well.