[blindkid] School cane O/M issues
Albert J Rizzi
albert at myblindspot.org
Tue Oct 20 13:34:30 UTC 2009
Well, ok. If I told you that is the first time as a blind man and in almost
4 years that I got such a comprehensive answer about the position on
collapsible canes versus solid canes, would you believe me? I use my cane
ever so infrequently, as I am a guide dog user. So, when I do use a cane it
is at events or dinners, and not as my primary mode of mobility. You gave
me oh so much to consider. I have all of the canes you speak of, and really,
as an adult, prefer the collapsible cane from a practical stand point. I
also have neuropathy, so I wonder if my preference would change if the
nerves in my hand were more sensitive to the type of information a cane
usually picks up for a cane user. None the less, I am so greatful for your
thorough and completely informative response that I will use it going
forward in my conversations about cane use in my speaking engagements. Thank
you, you should be a mobility instructor.
Albert J. Rizzi
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York 10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."
-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Richard Holloway
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 8:44 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] School cane O/M issues
Albert,
Straight NFB-style canes give better feedback to the cane traveler
than any other-- this by my own observation, discussion with trusted
blind friends and the O&M specialists I respect most in the field.
All the joints in a folding or telescoping cane flex literally every
time you tap with it or when the cane glides over something,
especially something subtle, and information is lost. The same is true
for the "golf grip" so common to many canes or anything like that on
the handle. Vibrations are dampened.
Telescoping canes can telescope in unexpectedly, especially if a child
has failed to fully and properly extend a cane-- never a good thing.
Shock cords on a folding cane also further dampen the vibro-tactile
feedback of a cane. (Joe Cutter's term and I like it.)
The metal tip on NFB style canes gives a crisp click which is helpful
with echolocation (FAR better than a plastic "thud") and are lighter
than other tips, especially rolling tips, which also tend to roll over
and miss valuable information. Kids, especially when new to cane
travel while using canes with rolling cane tips tend to let the cane
roll around to the side fairly often and simply leave it there. The
nature of a rolling tip makes it "want" to roll away from center when
being pushed (before a new cane traveler begins to tap from side-to-
side).
These one piece canes are also light enough that you can make them
long enough to give a couple of steps of warning when used in the
"long cane" approach to travel (with which you may already be
familiar) and not end up with a terribly heavy piece of equipment in
the process. That gives two steps of warning & safety when properly
used as opposed to about one step with shorter cane approaches.
SInce the NFB canes are lighter, they cause less fatigue for the user,
especially for young users or others with limited strength, but anyone
using a cane whenever they travel about would likely appreciate the
lightness of the NFB cane. If on occasion a shorter cane is needed
(say in a congested area) the user simply "chokes up" on the cane with
an alternative grip. Short cane users who need a longer cane can't do
the opposite.
There are at least two main designs of the one piece NFB canes--
fiberglass and carbon fiber. The carbon fiber is not available in all
kids lengths and it is a little more fragile if it gets stepped on,
takes a blow, or gets caught in a door, but those are even lighter and
"crisper" than the fiberglass if you can find one in the needed size.
There are also variants of the NFB cane including the 50/50 that fold
in half (hence the name) but still retain many of the characteristics
of the standard cane while being a bit easier to stow though I have
not seen these in children's sizes and it does reintroduce some of the
less desirable features of conventional folding canes if only a lesser
degree.
For myself, I want my daughter to have the absolute best possible cane
in her hand that gives her every possible bit of tactile and acoustic
feedback unless and until she herself is well experienced with cane
travel and decides she prefers a different tool. (My daughter is seven
and not quite ready to make that determination.)
Folding canes fold and that is a nice feature for storage, I agree.
That also means you have to unfold them and fold them back over and
over. That adds work and extra steps which, especially for young cane
travelers, may cause added frustration. It isn't really that hard to
find a place for a one piece cane, it just takes a bit of thought and
practice to know where it will easily fit. If needed,
I know we could find a place close to our daughter's desk in
classrooms if she needed a cane in the room but (as many blind adults
seem to find) Kendra seems to prefer to have both hands free in the
classroom and knows the rooms well enough that she can navigate
effectively around them with no cane. If another child (or adult)
prefers the cane close to the desk, I say "whatever works best" but
since Kendra always takes the cane when she leaves the room and almost
never needs it in the room, for her, it works best to park the cane by
the door and even if she used a folding cane (again not our preference
for her) it would still be as well parked by the door, not getting
left at her desk, in her cubby, or backpack. In fact, the way she uses
her cane, standing tall and right next to the door is the most
convenient possible way and place I can think of to keep her cane.
Richard
On Oct 19, 2009, at 3:20 PM, Albert J Rizzi wrote:
> Let me ask this, what is the reluctance of using a collapsible or
> foldable
> cane in instances where one would otherwise try to find a spot to
> hang, lean
> or otherwise stow a cane until needed? New to blindness and oh so
> prefer to
> be able to fold up my cane and place it under my seat or in my brief
> case or
> bookbag until needed again.
>
> Albert J. Rizzi
> CEO/Founder
> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> New York, New York 10004
> www.myblindspot.org
> PH: 917-553-0347
> Fax: 212-858-5759
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one
> who is
> doing it."
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-
> bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Bonnie Lucas
> Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 2:27 PM
> To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] School cane O/M issues
>
> auubrie and I place our canes in the corner behind the door as we
> seem to
> always live in houses with a good corner for that. There was a time
> when my
> husband tried to get us to store it in the coat closet but we fought
> that
> one because closets can become disorganized, causing canes to get a
> bit
> lost. This way, when we walk out the door, the cane is oh, so close
> to the
> door. Aubrie mentioned to me last night when we were reading these
> posts
> that the only class where she parks her cane by the door is band.
> Bonnie
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joy Orton" <ortonsmom at gmail.com>
> To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 9:42 AM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] School cane O/M issues
>
>
>> About storing the cane:
>> We have a strip of velcro on the desk at school so that Ahbee's
>> cane is
>> available at hand. If there is a fire drill(or the real thing), I
>> want her
>> cane to be in her hand in a moment! She chooses to walk
>> independently at
>> school as much as possible, and the teachers are with us on that.
>>
>> At home Ahbee stores her cane in the hall closet. Her dad and I
>> have told
>> her, feel free to use your cane in the house! With two younger
>> siblings,
>> things are going to get in the path, but she just walks more slowly
>> in the
>> house.
>>
>> Joy Orton
>>
>>
>
>
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