[nabs-l] Pimp My Cane

[Aziza Cano]

I agree with Jedi. Do our canes have to be white? Why should thier be a 
special identification symbol to identify us as blind. The sighted public 
sees a blind person and reacts a certain way. But would they treat us 
differently if they did not know that we were blind just by looking at us? 
Do we not deserve that sense of normalcy as well? I view my cane as a travel 
aid. It increases my confidence and independence, I do not think of it as a 
method of which to let others know I am blind, because frankly, its none of 
their business. If I require assistance I will ask for it, until then, I 
would like to be reguarded as just another person.
Aziza
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jedi" <loneblindjedi at samobile.net>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 1:25 AM
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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