Do blind people have favorite colors?
Obviously, they can't see colors. But color is so common in our world and language that they must develop associations of some kind. I have a colourblind friend who is legally blind, he says that his favourite colour is crimson because it’s his favourite shade.
What will color cane a blind person carry?
When used properly, a cane can provide information and protection, regardless of its color – it does not have to be white to be effective. Most canes used by blind people are white, but they are also available in red, black, yellow, and blue. For example, these canes from AmbuTech are available in a range of colors:
What can help colour blind people?
There is currently no treatment for inherited colour blindness. Some colour blind people have found some coloured filters and some lenses might help them to distinguish between some colour combinations in certain situations, whilst others report no effect or that they can cause further confusion.
Can people explain colors to a blind person?
To describe a color to a blind person, try to use other senses, such as smell, taste, touch, and emotion. For example, have the person hold objects that are typically 1 color, like grass and leaves, and explain that green feels like the alive part of a plant.
Are all blind canes white?
Most people who are visually impaired don't use a white cane. In fact, only an estimated 2 percent to 8 percent do. The rest rely on their useable vision, a guide dog or a sighted guide. There are actually three different kinds of white canes.
What is cane color?
Most canes used by blind people are white, but they are also available in red, black, yellow, and blue.
What is the cane called for a blind person?
white caneThe probing cane (more commonly called a “white cane” or a “long cane”) probes for and locates obstacles in your path of travel.
What does a blue cane mean?
For example, in England, the traditional white cane with red tip is used by someone who is deaf-blind. 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.
What does a red cane mean?
If you see a person with a completely white cane, this will usually mean they are blind, or visually impaired. Pedestrians with a red and white striped cane however, are deafblind (with both sight and hearing impairments).
Who needs a white cane?
blindA white cane is a vital tool for all children who are blind but specifically in children ages 2-years old to 12-years due to the development of neurons and the capacity the brain has to process the world. This time period is considered an optimal developmental period.
What does a white cane do?
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.
Is cane vs white cane?
White Identification Canes A white identification cane, often called a white ID cane, does exactly what its name suggests—it identifies the person holding it as having impaired vision. A white ID cane is much thinner and more lightweight than a standard white cane.
What do different blind canes mean?
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.
Why do blind people wear sunglasses?
The majority of legally blind people have some degree of vision. Wearing sunglasses can help blind people protect their eyes from bright lights and foreign objects. It's a stereotype that the main reason blind people wear sunglasses is to hide their eyes.
How do you get a white cane?
To request a white cane, you can fill out our online application or mail a completed application to our office. Any blind individual in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico can request a cane for their personal use. Requests can be made as often as every six months.
Is cane vs white cane?
White Identification Canes A white identification cane, often called a white ID cane, does exactly what its name suggests—it identifies the person holding it as having impaired vision. A white ID cane is much thinner and more lightweight than a standard white cane.
What is a symbol cane?
Symbol Canes are intended to be used to indicate to others that you have a visual impairment, they are a visual aid rather than a mobility one.
Why are blind people's canes white?
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. The latter is the reason for the cane's white colour, which in many jurisdictions is mandatory.
What is cane Fu?
Cane Fu is a new form of self-defense specifically designed for senior citizens. It is a more aggressive style of self-defense than Tai Chi for seniors, which is less direct and combative.
Why is a white cane white?
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. The latter is the reason for the cane's white colour, which in many jurisdictions is mandatory.
What is a guide cane?
Guide cane: A shorter cane, generally extending from the floor to the user's waist, with more limited potential as a mobility device. It is used to scan for kerbs and steps. The guide cane can also be used diagonally across the body for protection, warning the user of obstacles immediately ahead. Identification cane (sometimes shortened ...
What is a white stick?
Distinctive cane used in walking by the blind. "White stick" redirects here. For the community in the United States, see White Stick, West Virginia. A long cane, the primary mobility tool for the visually impaired. A white cane is a device used by many people who are blind or visually impaired. A white cane primarily allows its user ...
How to help blind children move?
Cutter's book, Independent Movement and Travel in Blind Children, recommends a cane to be introduced as early as possible, so that the blind child learns to use it and move around naturally and organically, the same way a sighted child learns to walk. A longer cane, between nose and chin height, is recommended to compensate for a child's more immature grasp and tendency to hold the handle of the cane by the side instead of out in front. Mature cane technique should not be expected from a child, and style and technique can be refined as the child gets older.
When did the white cane ordinance start?
In 1931, Lions Clubs International began a program promoting the use of white canes for people who are blind. The first special white cane ordinance was passed in December 1930 in Peoria, Illinois granting blind pedestrians protections and the right-of-way while carrying a white cane.
Why did the Lions paint the cane white?
The Lions decided to paint the cane white to make it more visible.
What is a long cane?
Long cane: Designed primarily as a mobility tool used to detect objects in the path of a user. Cane length depends upon the height of a user, and traditionally extends from the floor to the user's sternum. It is the most well-known variant, though some organisations favor the use of much longer canes.
What color canes are used for blind people?
Most canes used by blind people are white, but they are also available in red, black, yellow, and blue. For example, these canes from AmbuTech are available in a range of colors: However, only a white cane identifies the user as a person who is blind or has low vision.
When drivers see pedestrians who are carrying white canes, do they have to yield?
When drivers see pedestrians who are carrying white canes: Some states require that drivers yield. Some states require drivers to come to a full stop. Some states require only that drivers exercise caution when in the presence of pedestrians with white canes. Some states provide no special rights and protections to pedestrians who are carrying ...
Do you have to be careful when using a white cane?
Some states require only that drivers exercise caution when in the presence of pedestrians with white can es.
Do you have to stop for pedestrians carrying white canes?
Many people are under the impression that each state’s White Cane Law contains a provision that requires drivers to stop for, and/or yield to, pedestrians who are carrying white canes. This is not correct. The laws in each state vary widely and drivers do not always reliably stop for pedestrians who carry white canes.
What is a white cane?
The white cane. A tool that many who are blind or visually impaired rely on to navigate their surroundings. While at first glance, these canes might look the same. However, they are many variations on the simple white cane that allows users to safely navigate the world around them.
What does it mean when a cane is white?
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.
What is a long cane?
Long Canes. Long canes are the type of white cane that you are probably the most familiar with. It extends from the floor to the user’s sternum and they are used to avoid obstacles if you have restricted or low vision. The cane is used by either rolling or tapping from side-to-side as you walk.
What is a cane used for?
The cane is used by either rolling or tapping from side-to-side as you walk. The tips can be changed for the method the user prefers. Symbol Cane. A white cane that is less commonly known is the symbol cane. These are good for people with low but useful vision.
Is a guide cane a good tool?
A guide cane does not have as much movement potential but it can still be a useful tool. White canes have a few different variations on the classic design. Learning more about these differences can help you figure out what cane works best for you or better identifying those canes out in public.
How to get a white cane?
The best and most advisable way to obtain is a cane is through a trained orientation and mobility instructor (O&M), if available in your area. If you are unable to obtain training in your area, another good alternative is the free white cane training program at Leader Dogs .
What Kind of cane do I need?
As noted in the previous section, only the white cane is recognized by state laws. However, many people choose to use colored canes. Also, there two types of canes: probing (more commonly called a “white cane” or a “long cane”) and support. Read about these canes and what they provide in What Type of Cane Should I Use? – VisionAware . Often these are used in conjunction with each other if a person has orthopedic issues, for example.
Do people with low vision need a cane?
Many people who have low vision may not feel they need a cane. O&M specialist, Mary D’Apice, offers an in-depth discussion of why a cane is important in her article Low Vision and the White Cane: A Tool for Fall Prevention – VisionAware . In addition to fall prevention, she covers topics such as identification as a person with vision loss, obstacle and elevation changes, detection of holes or drop offs as a result of loss of contrast sensitivity or ability to scan one’s environment visually.
Can a white cane be used for blind people?
There is an important however in the article – “However, only a white cane identifies the user as a person who is blind or has low vision.” Also, be sure to read the rest of the article for an explanation of white cane laws, which differ in each state.
Overview
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. The latter is the reason for the cane's white colour, which in many jurisdictions is mandatory.
Variants
• Long cane: Designed primarily as a mobility tool used to detect objects in the path of a user. Cane length depends upon the height of a user, and traditionally extends from the floor to the user's sternum. It is the most well-known variant, though some organisations favor the use of much longer canes.
• Guide cane: A shorter cane, generally extending from the floor to the user's waist, with more l…
History
Blind people have used canes as mobility tools for centuries.
In 1921 James Biggs, a photographer from Bristol who became blind after an accident and was uncomfortable with the amount of traffic around his home, painted his walking stick white to be more easily visible.
In 1931 in France, Guilly d'Herbemont launched a national white stick movement for blind people. …
Legislation about canes
While the white cane is commonly accepted as a "symbol of blindness", different countries still have different rules concerning what constitutes a "cane for the blind".
In the United Kingdom, the white cane indicates that the individual has a visual impairment but normal hearing; with red bands added, it indicates that the use…
Children and canes
In many countries, including the UK, a cane is not generally introduced to a child until they are between 7 and 10 years old. However, more recently canes have been started to be introduced as soon as a child learns to walk to aid development with great success.
Joseph Cutter and Lilli Nielsen, pioneers in research on the development of blind and disabled children, have begun to introduce new research on mobility in blind infants in children. Cutter's b…
See also
• GPS for the visually impaired
• Tactile paving
• Guide dog
• Guide horse
• Assistive cane
External links
Media related to white canes at Wikimedia Commons
• History of the White Cane
• History of White Cane Safety Day