White Cane facts
A white cane is a navigation or identification aid for people living with sight loss. The use of a cane helps a person who is blind or partially sighted explore their surroundings, avoid obstacles and use tactile information to find their way, such as where to cross the road safely. It’s also an international symbol that lets others know that the user has sight loss. If someone sees a person using a white cane, they can give them space and make sure they don’t leave things in the way.
There are three different types of white canes used in Canada:
- Identification (ID) canes are thin and straight canes. They are mostly white with red on the bottom, but it can be customized, depending on personal preference. Usually, ID canes are held in front of the body to let others know you have sight loss. ID canes can be used by people who can navigate without a cane but wish to supplement or confirm visual information such as doorways and stairs. It lets others know that a person has sight loss.
- Mobility canes are designed as navigation tools, and they are used to receive tactile feedback from the person’s environment. They are thicker and stronger than ID canes and extend at least from the floor to the sternum. Mobility canes can come with a variety of tip sizes and shapes that are in kept in contact with the ground. They identify what kind of texture and surface a person is walking on. They can detect objects and provide information about the environment to the user of what is ahead. The cane is usually red on the bottom section, so it is more visible to the user and others.
- Support canes are designed to offer physical support and stability, like a walker. Like mobility canes, the cane is usually red on the bottom section, so it is more visible to the user and others.
Things you can do to be helpful and kind:
- Remember that someone using a white cane might not be able to see you and move around you. If you see someone with a white cane, step to one side so you don’t bump into each other.
- If in doubt, ask! If someone using a white cane looks lost or confused, introduce yourself and ask them if they’d like help. If they say no, that’s okay. It probably means they already know where they are going or want to figure it out independently. Either way, they will be happy that you offered.
- Never leave your bikes, bags, or anything in the middle of the sidewalk or hallway. Someone who can’t see well could trip over them and get hurt.
- Remember that the correct way to talk about a white cane is to call it a white cane, not a stick or pole.
- A white cane is like part of a person’s body, so you should never touch it without asking. For the person using the white cane, that could be frightening and even dangerous.