[nabs-l] Pimp My Cane

[Jewel S.]

In all of the White Cane Laws that I've seen, there is a secotion that
says that no blind person shall be held accountable if not using a
white cane or guide dog. I don't recall the exact wording for my
state, but it basically say that a blind person cannot be made
accountable through negligence for not having a white cane or guide
dog. I don't see why a person couldn't have a black cane, red cane, or
rainbow cane, if they wanted. Just don't expect epople to recognize
your visual impairment if you don't have a white cane. Be prepared to
do more explaining, and explaining why you don't have a white cane.

~Jewel

On 3/29/10, Briley Pollard <brileyp at gmail.com> wrote:
> I did consider the matching with purse and shoes aspect too... but maybe
> that is because I'm admittedly a bit overly conscious of things matching.
> On Mar 29, 2010, at 3:40 AM, Sarah Jevnikar wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>> I used to decorate my cane for every season or holiday when I was younger
>> and I think it's a cool idea but I have different concerns.
>>
>> I'm sorry; I feel like a party pooper but here they are.
>>
>> Decorated canes are fun but what do they say about us? Unprofessional
>> comes
>> to mind, as most of us are at the age where we're looking for summer or
>> full-time employment. But perhaps temporary decorations would be ok ...
>>
>> Now on a different note, a cane spans from the belt area (and purse area
>> too, depending on your preference or length of strap) to a person's shoes.
>> So, which should it match? Belt/purse or shoes? Or should they all
>> coordinate?
>>
>> Just something to ponder.
>>
>> Sarah Jevnikar
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf
>> Of Jedi
>> Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 3:25 AM
>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Pimp My Cane
>>
>> It seems to me the question we should be asking is why canes are white
>> in the first place.
>>
>> Originally, the cane was painted white as a way of telling drivers to
>> stop for the blind. It was a member of the Lions Club that had the idea
>> in the first place because he observed a blind man having difficulty in
>> crossing a street because there was too much traffic. Now, we say that
>> the white cane makes it easier to see us and so cars are required to
>> stop. It is also worth noting that cars are supposed to stop for all
>> pedestrians. So what we are saying is that blind people need more
>> notice. Why? I agree that until electric cars make noise, they do need
>> to stop for us because we can't hear them. But again, they should stop
>> for everyone because no one can really hear them.
>>
>> The white cane laws are civil rights laws that basically say that blind
>> people cannot be automatically held accountable for any injuries that
>> occur to them based on the idea that they should know better than to be
>> out in the world in the first place. Are we now saying that if the cane
>> isn't white so people know we're blind, then any accidents that occur
>> as a result are our fault? White cane laws require that blind people
>> should be treated as anyone else whether injuries occur or not. The
>> white cane laws also say that a blind person shall not be discriminated
>> against as we travel in the world. Really and truly, the laws were
>> meant to protect the person, not the cane itself.
>>
>> What I'm getting at is this. The white cane is currently a symbol by
>> which the sighted recognize us by, and that symbol tells the sighted
>> that they need to treat us a certain way. . Would things really change
>> if we changed the colors of our canes? Or would attitudes have to
>> change because now we're saying that it really isn't the responsibility
>> of the sighted to look out for the blind specifically? What do you think?
>>
>> Respectfully,
>> Jedi
>>
>>
>> Original message:
>>> Greetings,  Knowing some of the lawyers that I do, they could definitely
>>> make that argument stick in court.
>>> I don't blame you if you want to paint your cane, but your question
>>> should
>>> definitely be considered carefully before you do it.
>>> I do know someone who has a few support canes which happen to coordinate
>>> with her outfits, but her white cane is definitely still white.
>>
>>> Have fun with your new one no matter what color it turns out to be.
>>> Maryann Migliorelli
>>
>>
>>
>>
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