The Different Types of Canes
Two types of canes are most commonly used:
- The support cane provides physical stability. 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.
Left: One type of support cane (credit: Wikipedia)
Middle: One type of “probing” cane (credit: Wikipedia)
Right: Use of a support cane and probing cane for
outdoor travel (credit: Dona Sauerburger)
Long white canes come in two categories: folding and straight. Folding canes, which can be collapsed and stored easily, come in aluminum or graphite models. Graphite canes are lighter and easier to fold and unfold than aluminum ones. While great for travel, folding canes are less sturdy than straight (non-folding) canes and don’t provide the same sensory feedback.
A popular straight-style cane is made of fiberglass, which is ultra-light, provides good sensory feedback, and bends slightly if it slides under a car or similar obstacle.
A Support Cane Should:
- Be strong enough to support your weight. This usually means that a support cane is not lightweight.
- Be short enough to rest your hand on top while you hold it close to your body.
- Have a tip that grips the floor and does not slide.
A Probing Cane (“White Cane” or “Long Cane”) Should:
- Be lightweight to hold and move so that you don’t tire quickly. This usually means that a probing cane is not strong.
- Be long enough to reach ahead and warn you about obstacles and stairs.
- Have a tip that can slide easily along the ground.
A support cane and a probing cane are designed differently and serve very different purposes, so the choice of which cane to use will depend on your needs:
If you need a cane to help you know what is on the ground in front of you, it is recommended that you use a probing cane.
- Please note: If you use a support cane to probe the ground ahead, it is usually impossible to reach far enough ahead without leaning forward. This harms your posture and appearance and is risky, particularly when approaching descending stairs. If you miss your footing or lose your balance while leaning forward, you will likely fall on and tumble down the stairs.
If you can’t see well enough to know what is on the ground in front of you and you need a cane for support, you will need two canes.
- One cane will provide the support you need, and the other will probe ahead to scan for obstacles, stairs, and curbs.
- It may seem awkward and difficult to use two canes, but with effective orientation and mobility (O&M) instruction, people of all ages have learned to use two canes correctly and safely.
- See Support Cane Used with Long “Probing” Cane for more information about using two canes for outdoor travel.
Peer Advisor Susan Kennedy: How My White Cane Brought Me Freedom
Meeting My “Freedom Stick”
It was a sunny autumn morning a few years ago. My mobility instructor and I stood side-by-side on the brick pathway in front of my house. I swept my new white cane across the uneven surface, registering the sensation of the bricks compared to the smooth wooden porch boards I explored earlier.
The bumps and cracks felt jarring and jumbled together. The information overwhelmed my brain. I stopped and asked if my arm was at the correct angle; I didn’t want to be making a habit of a poor stance. My instructor assured me my posture was fine.
Practice is Important
“With practice, you’ll get the hang of it,” my instructor said. I nodded and moved my cane again. With any new motor skill, muscle nerves need repetition to store the movement in the brain’s long-term memory. Initially, everything would feel deliberate, even clunky. I put faith in my instructor and gave my awkwardness the benefit of the doubt.
I wanted to learn. I realize some people with declining vision hesitate for various reasons to try orientation and mobility skills. It was a way forward; I was ready to be independent, and using a white cane would give me freedom. Learning is exciting! Sign me up!
Cane Tips
A wide variety of cane tips now provide smoother operation and more durability. Each tip has its pros and cons.
- Pencil tip. Pros: Good feedback and lightness make it a good choice for people with problems moving their wrists for long periods. Cons: The long, thin tip tends to get stuck in cracks in the sidewalk.
- Roller tip. Pros: Rolls over cracks in the sidewalk, making for a smoother walk. Cons: Greater weight can add to wrist fatigue; doesn’t provide as much feedback to the traveler about small changes in the terrain.
- Marshmallow tip. Pros: The thick tip won’t get stuck in cracks easily. Cons: The tip is heavy and can cause wrist fatigue over time.
- Metal glide. Pros: Very light; glides easily over cracks.
- Cane tips have been developed for travel in wilderness areas and farms, such as the “Bundu Basher.” For more information about the Bundu Basher cane tip, including photographs, explanations, and ordering information, see Bundu Basher.
Left: Cane tips from AmbuTech are now available in
a wide variety of styles and functions (credit: AmbuTech)
Right Top: The “Bundu Basher” cane tip for wilderness
travel (credit: Dona Sauerburger)
Right Bottom: Rural travel with the “Bundu Basher” cane
tip and a support cane (credit: Moira Higgerty)
Can I use a cane if I also use a wheelchair?
You can use a wheelchair and learn how to use a long cane to help navigate obstacles and drop-offs. However, success depends on individual circ*mstances, such as your type and level of vision, overall physical limitations, and chair style. Consult your O&M specialist about whether using a long cane with a wheelchair is right for you.
Alternative mobility devices (AMDs)
Alternative mobility devices have been developed that assist people who can either not use the cane reliably or move it correctly, either because of physical limitations (including difficulty or pain when moving the wrist) or cognitive disabilities.
