A brief tutorial for the visually abled
For the last twelve years I have been living as a visually impaired individual in an ever changing world. It hasn’t always been an easy learning curve for me, but I try my best to maneuver through the obstacles technology and humanity offer. I think the hardest thing for me to adjust and adapt to has been dealing with people. Especially if they knew that I once had full vision. Technology, though difficult to learn does not have a preconceived idea of who or what I once was, that being someone who could see.
The Cane
Though the white canes have been around for over one-hundred years now, it is still not widely understood what it is, or represents. For the sake of others, I jokingly imply that I use the white cane (mine has a red tip which I’ll explain in a bit) so others can see that I can’t. I can’t be certain on this, but I believe that the blind and visually impaired community are the only group of people who use the collapsible canes.
There are three versions of the white cane, two of which are more commonly used in North America while the other is mostly used in Europe along with the other two. The solid white cane as seen in this image
indicates that the person using it is completely blind. A similar cane with a red tip at the bottom indicates the user is visually impaired and has limited vision. These are the most common canes for the blind and visually impaired in North America.
There is a third cane variation which is less common in North America than it is in Europe. This cane is very similar with the only difference being a red wrap around stripe from top to bottom, much like a barber pole. This cane is used by individuals who are both hearing and vision impaired, or maybe even fully blind and deaf..
Education
Those who use any of these canes are given a brief training on the proper use of their tool. Typically, they will use a side-to-side sweeping motion along the ground in front of them extending out a few inches on either side trying to locate obstacles. The cane is also used to detect the undulations of the sidewalks as well as locating curbs. Of course, each user will adapt their personal style to the way they use their cane. A person should never grab the cane to lead a blind or visually impaired person around. Though it might seem like you are helping them, you may actually end up causing them to fall or stray.
Common Courtesy
For the most part, the biggest safety hazard for the blind and visually impaired are drivers at intersections. With the busy lifestyles we live today time is a commodity one cannot waste. Where the laws and regulations of driving have not changed for eons, the practices of them certainly have. Where a driver is supposed to wait until a pedestrian has made it all the way across to the other side, they now only wait until the pedestrian is half way before they start to make their turn. That is a very dangerous position to put a blind or visually impaired person into. One of the key things they blind use for most everything is sound.
My personal rule of thumb for safety is quite direct. I use a 54 inch (4 ½ feet) cane when I am out and about. When extended from my arm it reaches close to six feet. If a vehicle moves into my reach as I am crossing and I feel my personal safety is at risk, I will hit the vehicle with my cane. I will worry about the legal issues later. Depending on my mood I might also stop dead in my tracks preventing the vehicle from completing its turn.
Never, ever assume that a blind or visually impaired individual needs or even wants help. Your intentions may be good, well you know what they say about good intentions. Always ask if they would like or need assistance. There is nothing more unsettling for me than someone grabbing my arm or my cane without asking. You might find yourself being swatted by a cane like a fly by a flyswatter.
Never assume that a blind or visually impaired person will recognize your voice, and don’t be offended if they don’t. When hearing is your primary way of identifying people, there are just too many voices to remember (especially if its not one heard very often). It is best to simply identify yourself first before starting up a conversation, that is if there is familiarity with each other. I find when I am in a store which is unfamiliar to me, I am unfamiliar to the store clerks and therefore I find that I must offer them some latitudinal grace.
Conclusion
The intent of this piece was simply to offer some insight (pun intended) to those of you who have the gift of vision to be a little more considerate to those of us who don’t. Be patient with us. It’s hard enough to navigate through life as it is, even with vision. I dare you to try imagining to navigate life without it.
It is my hope that in these few lines I was able to open your eyes a little to the world of the blind and visually impaired. I was really looking for a great send off to end the piece without being too cheesy.
Did you know… No person not being a blind person shall carry or use a white cane in any public thoroughfare, public conveyance or public place.
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