The white cane is a symbol of independence, as evidenced by International White Cane Day celebrations on 15 October each year throughout the world.
A lesser known fact about it, however, is that there are a variety of them, intended for a variety of situations.
This extends to cane tips too, with a number of different tips available for people, depending on terrain, technique, activities, and more.
Traditional canes
The long cane
The long cane is one of the most popular white canes in use, serviceable for most ‘everyday’ situations.
It’s used in order to preview the area in front of the user as they move forward across different surface or terrain and detecting drop-offs such as steps, detect and avoid obstacles in their path of travel, and also to identify its user as an individual who is blind or has low vision.
The identification cane
Also known as the ‘symbol cane’, its primary purpose is to identify its user as someone who has low vision.
It’s useful in crowded locations, and also to explore the height of drops like curbs and stairs, but it isn’t generally used to detect obstacles or to preview the surface ahead of the traveller.
The guide cane
It’s shorter than the long cane, but it still allows users to explore their surroundings, and identifies them as individuals who are blind or who have low vision.
Its primary purpose, however, is to serve as a means of detecting and protecting against obstacles.
It’s also generally used in conjunction with another mobility aid, or with a sighted guide.
The support cane
It’s used as a physical support to assist users with maintaining their balance. It isn’t used to explore a person’s surroundings or detect nearby obstacles.
It does, however, serve as a means of identifying its user as someone who is blind or who has low vision.
Electronic and smart canes
They represent a high-tech option for some travellers.
Ultra Cane
The Ultra Cane not only has all of the functions of a standard long cane, but it also has the ability to detect forward obstacles in the path of travel as well as overhanging obstacles, or hazards level with the user’s upper body.
It does this by using ultrasonic echoes, which are signals that reflect or bounce off obstacles and then returns that feedback to two sensors in the handle. The traveller is able to feel the tactile signals through two vibrating buttons on the cane’s handle.
We Walk cane
The We Walk cane has an overhead or upper body function similar to an Ultra Cane, but it’s also used in conjunction with a smart phone app.
The app provides users with GPS navigation, and audible details of the user’s environment, including shops, street names, notable landmarks, and public transport information and journey planning such as next bus information and next stop alert when on public transport.
Cane tips
Different cane tips are used for different terrains and with specific cane types.
A cane tip that would be ideal for a shopping centre may not be ideal for a bushwalk, for instance. Some commonly used cane tips include:
Pencil tip
It’s thin and straight, and not ideal for constant surface contact. It’s generally used with identification canes.
Ballrace Overfit (marshmallow tip)
It’s a revolving tip shaped like a marshmallow, and is one of the most common cane tips in use.
It’s ideal for constant surface contact, and can handle a variety of terrains.
Mushroom tip
It’s shaped like an inverted mushroom, but the rounded surface provides more feedback than the pencil tip.
It’s ideal for the cane technique called two-point touch.
Supaball rotating tip
It’s ideal for prolonged use, but it doesn’t provide as much detailed feedback as the marshmallow or the mushroom tips.
It’s an ideal tip for constant surface technique while travelling on smoother surfaces.
There are other cane tips intended for more specific terrains, and for cane users who rely more on audio feedback than tactile, for example bushwalking or jungle travel tips such as the Bundu Basher, the beach tip for walking on sand or dusty dry conditions, etc. A benefit of canes, however, is that users don’t have to limit themselves to one cane and one cane tip.
More information
If you are unsure which cane and or tip you should be using, book an appointment with a Vision Australia orientation and mobility specialists. They will work with you to determine the most appropriate cane/tip combination that best meets your needs. Phone 1300 84 74 66 or email us at [email protected].
A wide range of canes and tips are available to purchase from the Vision Store. Head to our online store or visit your nearest Vision Australia location today.