Symbol Canes

Canes are a form of mobility aid which help aid visually impaired pedestrians get about their daily business.

Symbol Canes

First up we have the Symbol Cane. These canes are smaller than other types of mobility cane, and are used to let the general public know that the person has a visual impairment and to be aware. Since the cane is small, it offers no protection from your environment around you and will usually be used if the person has some useful vision left.

Guide Canes

Next is the Guide Cane. Usually used by people with extremely lower vision, These are longer than a symbol cane and are used for basic protection, they will hit objects in your environment before you do! They do require training to be effectively used when out and about. Usually moved from left to right and held diagonally across the body to the front.

Long Canes

The Long Cane, as the name suggests, is the longest cane currently. It is used to test the environment around you if you have scarcely no vision, or zero vision at all. The way this one differs from the Guide Cane is that a long canes end had a tip of some kind.

There are two different types of tips; rolling tips and pointed tips. Rolling tips are best for smooth pavements and offer the largest amount of protection as they never leave the ground. This can lead to their downfall however; if they get trapped by uneven ground or other objects such as bikes then they can jar your arm and impact your stomach. These are either cricket ball shaped, or more cylindrical. Hard tips are best for rough pavements, as these are used when tapping the ground as opposed to rolling across it.

Red Striped Canes

If there is ever a cane which has red stripes on it, then this signifies that the person also has a hearing impairment as well as a visual impairment, this can be on any of the canes mentioned in this blog post.

Support Canes

Finally, we have White Support Canes. These are prescribed by an Occupational Therapist and are measured so that the right length is prescribed for the physical impairment. If you have sight impairment also then the cane will be white and if it has red stripes then the person will have a hearing impairment also

Mobility canes are often made from aluminium graphite reinforced plastic or fiber reinforced plastic and can come with a wide variety of tips depending upon user preference.

White canes can be either collapsible or straight, with both versions having pros and cons.

There are all these options available for adults and children. With children it is suggested that they have a cane as soon as possible, obviously taking their height and needs into consideration.

Specialist Referral

If you\’re blind or partially sighted, you may be referred to a specialist low-vision clinic, which is often located within a hospital. Staff at the clinic can help you understand your condition and come to terms with your diagnosis.

They can also advise you about practical things, such as lighting and vision aids, and let you know about further sources of help and support.

Ask your local hospital if they have an Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO), whose role involves providing support to people with vision loss in eye clinics.

This has been mentioned to me that this service is available when I get to a certain level. They will suggest this when they think it’s time if I don’t first. I think it’s comforting to know that there is this help there for me when I need it.

Some people already buy themselves a cane before this happens and the social services will help you with any cane training or information on aids to help you around the home and outside if you ring them and ask for an assessment.