[NFB-Seniors-Discussion] [Nebraska-Senior-Blind] Nebraska Senior Division - handout from our May meeting - A new all-terrain cane and learn about different cane tips

Wed May 10 18:57:05 UTC 2023

Greetings all,

What an incredible list of cane tips. There were 3 or 4 at the end of the
list, of which I have never heard. The rest however, are one and all
inferior to the metal tip which is available through the Independence
Market. They are also more costly. 

As some of you know, I spend nearly a decade directing the training center
at the Michigan Commission for the Blind, which is now the Michigan Bureau
of Services for Blind Persons or (BSBP) Upon my arrival there, all 4 of our
cane travel instructors preferred folding aluminum canes with either the
roller ball tip (large or small), or the marshmallow tip. As my management
style is quite different from most, rather than challenging these
instructors I entered into conversations with them. Through our many
discussions I had the chance to use most of the cane tips on this list, in
the company of our instructors. I was also tested by being taken on an easy
travel route with some small tripping or stumbling hazards along the way. I
chose to use the rigid fiberglass cane with the metal tip. When I easily
located every hazard and an icy patch along the sidewalk, my instructor was
impressed in spite of himself. None of the other tips used in our Center
could do that. He was also impressed by the flexibility and sensitivity of
the cane. Over the next few years I began to hear the familiar ring of metal
tipped canes traveling through our center, students began walking more
quickly as the lengths of their canes increased, and when several students
requested "NFB canes" and outperformed their partially sighted colleagues
although they were themselves totally blind, the culture there underwent a
significant change for the better. Hmmm, job placements increased markedly
at the same time. 

That is only my personal experience, shared with you for your information. 

With warm regards to all,

Christine

From: Nebraska-Senior-Blind <nebraska-senior-blind-bounces at nfbnet.org> On
Behalf Of Robert Leslie Newman via Nebraska-Senior-Blind
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 12:57 PM
To: NE senior division listserv <nebraska-senior-blind at nfbnet.org>; NFB
Seniors Division Discussion List <nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org>
Cc: robertleslienewman at gmail.com
Subject: [Nebraska-Senior-Blind] Nebraska Senior Division - handout from our
May meeting - A new all terrain cane and learn about different cane tips

Hi You All

Pasted in below is the text from the handout of our May discussion topic. We
cannot promise that  our monthly meeting will always be of a type that would
lend itself to share this type of information. This month, we listened to a
podcast about a new all terrain cane, and also read aloud through a document
which listed several different types of cane tips.

*** Here is the handout:

MORE ON WHITE CANES AND TIPS

Helping us to be Informed!

*#1 The All Terrain Cane

*#2 Types of cane tips 

This document with its two sections, is one small piece in our on-going
effort to keep all of us in the know of what is available in the area of key
blindness tools. It is not an endorsement of any of the items described
below, and for sure it this info is only the tip of the iceberg of the range
of options relating to this important travel tool.

*#1 All Terrain Cane (ATC)

Sedona Dave is the inventor of the Awarewolf Gear All Terrain Cane. 

Website: http://awarewolfgear.com

The ATC is a folding cane with a roller ball tip and extendable grip. 

The ATC Specifications:

The ATC has three sections: bottom section is red and accommodates the tip;
the middle section; and the adjustable handle section which can lengthen or
shorten the ATC by a length of 10 inches

Shortest length(handle fully retracted): 51" inches / 130 CM

Tallest length (handle fully extended): 61" inches / 155 cm

Cane Folded: 21" inches 

)All measurements include roller ball tip)

Cane Weight with Roller Ball: 14.8 oz / 418 grams

Cane Construction: 

Shaft: Titanium Alloy; can withstand 300 vertical pounds

Handle: rubber golf-style grip 

Roller Ball Tip: Included; there are other commercial slip on tips available

Cost: 4 interest-free payments of $30 

*#2 Types of Cane Tips: 

(Here are 10 common types of tips; I am sure there are others out there!)

Have you ever wondered what the best cane tip is for an individual who is
blind or low vision? The optimal tip for a long white cane depends on the
environment in which it will be utilized (for example, a rough or smooth
terrain), the cane technique one will utilize (for example, two-point touch
or constant contact), and the individual's preferences for the type and
amount of feedback (kinesthetic and auditory feedback vary by cane tip).
Peruse the following list of cane tips and learn about their
characteristics, uses, and costs. Also learn about White Cane Safety Day
(Blind Americans Equality Day) on October 15.

Cane Tips: 

Pencil Tip

A pencil tip is a thin and straight tip at the end of a white cane. This tip
is usually used for two-point touch (tapping the ground) because it can
become stuck in cracks and crevices of a sidewalk or parking lot if it was
in constant contact with the ground. Pencil tips are mostly made of plastic
and nylon. The cost is about $2.50. The weight of this tip is about 8 grams.

Mushroom/Marshmallow Tip

The marshmallow cane tip is named for its shape which is shaped very much
like a marshmallow. The marshmallow tip is made from nylon and is designed
primarily for the two-point touch technique. Because the tip has more of a
round end, it tends to get stuck less than a pencil tip. It costs about
$2.50. This tip weighs about 17 grams.

Rolling Marshmallow Tip

The rolling marshmallow tip, one of the most common cane tips, is shaped
like a marshmallow and can rotate 360 degrees. This tip is made of
heavy-duty molded nylon and contains a bearing that allows it to roll. A
rolling marshmallow tip can easily be used on different types of surfaces.
This cane tip is most often used when the user is using the constant contact
technique. Due to this constant touch with the ground, the person using it
gets feedback about every change in the surface. A rolling marshmallow tip
is not a very good choice for those who like to receive feedback from the
surface by tapping their cane. The cost of this tip is about $10.00. The tip
weighs about 39 grams.

Roller Ball Tip

The roller ball tip is almost the largest cane tip measuring two inches in
diameter, about the size of a small apple. This tip is made of nylon and has
a bearing on the inside which allows it to rotate left to right. It rotates
just like a marshmallow tip. It is mostly used by people who are just
learning to use a cane for independent navigation or by those who walk long
distances. Because it is one of the heaviest, it should only be used for
constant contact techniques for navigation. Due to the size of this cane
tip, it tends to get stuck the least. The cost of this tip is about $9.00.
The tip weighs about 69 grams.

Jumbo Roller Cane Tip

The jumbo roller cane tip is disc-shaped, resembling a semi-flattened
marshmallow, with a built-in protected bearing and rounded outer edge
designed to roll from left to right. The tip is made from an ultra-high
molecular weight polyethylene material. The tip is about 2.5" in diameter.
Due to its size and weight, it is typically used with the constant contact
technique. It will do a pretty good job on the hard surface, as well as a
pretty good job on short grass. The biggest downfall with this cane tip is
the weight. The cost of this tip is about $11.50. The weight of this tip is
about 71 grams.

Rover Free Wheeling Cane Tip

Ambutech's Rover Free Wheeling tip, a soft rubber wheel that rolls forward
and backward, is designed for rough terrain. Made with Santoprene
(thermoplastic rubber) and 3" in size, this tip is made to be used with the
constant contact technique. This tip is generally used by individuals with a
significant amount of usable vision who are looking to do some off-road
hiking and walking. The goal of this tip is to detect large changes in the
terrain; it does not do a very good job of detecting small changes in the
surface. The cost of this tip is about $12.90. The weight of this tip is
about 51 grams.

Dakota Disc Tip

The Dakota Disc tip is designed to travel over uneven surfaces such as
grass, snow, sand, and pea gravel (playground flooring). It is designed to
be used for constant contact on snow, sand, grass, gravel, school yards,
etc. This tip, which is made from durable plastic, can glide easily over the
surface of the ground. The Dakota Disk tip has a couple of cons as well-it
may miss a small obstacle such as a rock or small hole in the ground because
it will glide right over the top. It is also not designed for constant use
on cement, asphalt, concrete, or dirt roads. This tip is available in white
or red. The cost of this tip is about $10.40. The weight of this tip is
about 66 grams.

Ceramic Tip

The ceramic cane tip is half of a sphere with a black rubber ring around the
bottom of the half sphere where it connects to the hook section or slip-on
section of the tip. This tip provides a lot of auditory and tactile feedback
to the cane user. This tip is primarily used for two-point touch, however,
it can be used for constant contact. When used for constant contact, it will
get stuck more in cracks. This tip costs around $16.00, and it is one of the
lighter tips, weighing in at 17 grams.

Metal Glide Tip

The metal glide tip is made from metal and is used for two-point touch
technique. This tip will also provide more auditory feedback when it hits
the ground. It can be used for constant contact; however, it tends to get
stuck more often. The tip costs around $4.00. It weighs about 19 grams.

Omni-Sense Tip:

The Omni-Sense tip is made of two wheels that pivot in 360 degrees to move
across a range of surfaces. The tip provides auditory feedback and provides
feedback in changes of terrain. This tip will cost around $50.00.

Learn more:

https://visionaware.org/blog/visionaware-blog/whats-in-a-tip-a-cane-tip-that
-is/

Respectfully yours,

Robert Leslie Newman

NFBN Senior Division, President

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