On October 15th National White Cane Day was celebrated as part of Meet the Blind Month. The white cane signifies independence for blind people and makes those in the community aware that they are living with a visual impairment.
As someone who has lived with legal blindness my entire life, the white cane has been critical to my success. Even as a two-time Leader Dogs for the Blind dog guide graduate, keeping my cane skills sharp has been critical. Even for those who do use a dog guide, the cane can be used to help the blind or visual impaired train their dog to an unfamiliar area.
The history of the white cane began in both America and Britian, starting after World War 1. In 1921 James Biggs painted his walking stick white to make it more visible. In 1931 thousands of white canes were given to blind people. The first legislation surrounding white canes was passed in December 1930 in Peoria, Illinois. Shortly after that passage, Lions Clubs International began a program to raise awareness of the white cane.
Over the next several decades, improvements to the cane and techniques for its use took place. One of the most significant developments was the Hoover Method by Richard E. Hoover, which is conducted by swinging the cane from the center of the body back and forth before the feet. The cane can also be swept in front of the rear foot as the person steps.
For sighted individuals who are unfamiliar with the many white cane techniques that exist, it is important to understand that each one was developed based on what was effective at the time the method was introduced. While the Hoover Method is the most common, others exist that may appear strange to sighted people. In some cases, I have witnessed people raising and lowering the cane in front of them.This is supposed to help detect overhead objects; however, it may be ineffective in detecting obstacles at ground level.
The white cane continues to evolve. In recent weeks, I have become aware of the We WALK – an adapter that attaches to a standard white cane and then connects it to a smart phone. After that the cane can detect objects as well as utilize GPS and other features.
I have talked to many individuals who are unsure how to interact with a blind or visually impaired person who uses a cane. For many, the automatic response it is to immediately offer assistance and take the person to their destination or help them find what they are looking for. However, this is not necessarily the best thing to do. As with a sighted person, it is important to remember that cane users are people who want to be able to be as independent as possible. With this said, it is useful to help when appropriate. If you see that a cane user is in trouble, please offer assistance, but be aware that cane users may not always use their cane. In many cases, if they are traveling in a familiar area, such as in their neighborhood or at their workplace, the cane may not be used.
Living with vision loss is not as physically or emotionally difficult as many people think. Through tools such as the white cane, it is possible for those living with that condition to live normal and productive lives.It is vital that sighted individuals learn the importance of the white cane and how to effectively work with those living with vision loss. Recognizing this, new conversations can begin that will advance our culture through understanding which may lead to new policies and advance a feeling of community.