Uses of a White Cane

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THE WHITE CANE The white cane is just one of many to ols used by people with vision loss – from toddlers to seniors - to assist with safety, mobility and independence. The cane is used to check for objects in a person’s path, changes in the walking surface (from cement to grass, for example) and to check for dangers like steps and curbs (Block, 2000). A secondary function is identification: recognized around the world, the white cane clearly tells other pedestrians and drivers that the user is a person with vision loss. There are three different types of canes that someone with vision loss might choose to use: identification, support and long canes. Identification canes are lightweight and can often be folded or collapsed to fit in a purse or knapsack when not in use. They are used to help with depth perception, and finding things like stairs and curbs. A support cane is designed to safely support the user’s weight – perfect for a user who is elderly or who has a physical disability. It can be rigid or collapsible, depending on the user’s preference. Long canes are used as “probes” and are usually used when the person is traveling in an unfamiliar area to provide an extra measure of safety. The straight cane is made of a long tube of aluminum or fiberglass with a handle on one end and a nylon or metal tip on the other. The handle may have a wrist loop on the end or a small crook, which can be used to store the cane when not in use. The body of the cane is covered with a white paint or white reflective tape to provide visibility. Some canes have a few inches of red at the tip, although this is not mandatory (Sherrill, 2004). The folding cane looks similar to a straight cane except that it is broken up in to several sections which are held together by an elastic chord running through the middle of the tubing, which allows it to be held tightly

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