The 15 October marks White Cane Safety Day.
Achilles Melbourne President, Claudia S shares a few tips on white cane users and safety. The long white cane is a remarkable piece of technology that requires no batteries, wifi or charging. A white cane works by conducting vibration up the shaft to a user's hand which communicates a lot of useful information. It can tell you the material, texture and slope of the ground surface. You can locate steps and drop offs. By tapping, a cane user can receive auditory feedback about their environment including a degree of echolocation feedback as well as alert other people to their presence. It can be used by people who are blind or have low vision of all ages and abilities in all environments (with some modifications to the tip for some places). At its most basic it is a low cost tool to provide safe and effective mobility to people across the world. A white cane is amazing and both it and the people who use it should be given respect. The easiest thing you can do to create a safe space for white cane users is to use your voice. As a sighted person, if you approach a white cane user without warning, or grab and shove a person without consent, it can be jarring and leave white cane users feeling violated. Communicating your presence to a white cane user is easy. A simple, ‘Hi there’ or ‘would you like assistance?’ is a great start. A white cane user can move around you or seek assistance from you if they require it. A brief side note is that there are also many people who are DeafBlind. This takes many forms but needs to be recognised that not everyone will be able to ‘hear’ your voice. If you encounter someone who is DeafBlind and they seem to be travelling well please just let them be. If they need assistance they will have strategies in place to communicate with you. Effective cane use takes skill and concentration. It’s not easy to go for a leisure walk using a long cane. That’s where Achilles is a great resource. It allows cane users to let their brains take a break and actually enjoy their surroundings without worrying about the information they are processing through their cane. Ways to assist cane users: Use your voice. Let cane users know you’re around. Use your name if you know them, particularly when you’re out of context. Be a good ally. Share information with your networks. Ask if people need assistance with transport or would like to be met particularly if they’re heading somewhere new. Ask a cane user if they would like to go for a walk or run.
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