Last time we looked at the white cane and its purpose. Today I will share with you the more practical applications and experiences using the cane as a person with no vision.
It is important to remember that each visually impaired person’s experience and ability is unique to them. When approaching these individuals, it is nice to approach by identifying your presence by name or greeting. Sometimes when there is a lot of surrounding noise it is difficult to determine if the conversation is directed to them. There are often many awkward moments. I have responded to conversations directed at someone else or ignored others meant for me.
When approaching a person at a cross walk, observe and see if they appear to need assistance. A simple hello will often let me know that someone is nearby to ask for assistance if needed. Alternatively, you are welcome to offer assistance. Please don’t assist unannounced. Please don’t redirect without permission. The best question is to ask how I can help. I prefer to take someone’s elbow before you carry on, and I always make sure I am oriented correctly. As soon as I am assisted, it is easy to become disoriented. High contrast paint helps low vision people. For those of us with no vision, it is important to use many clues to identify how to cross safely. I am still learning how to cross independently.
These skills must be practiced as they are not yet automatic or easy. I must first determine if the crosswalk is an audible crosswalk. There are chirps and cukoos to identify which direction is safe to cross. I must push the button and line up to ensure I am crossing perpendicular. One way to do this is to line up with a box curb, beside the ramp. One must determine if the ramp is on the corner or perpendicular to the street. The moving traffic should be at the appropriate left or right shoulder. The direction of the sun will also help guide when crossing. If the sun is at my left cheek, I will ensure that it remains there for the entire crossing.
The parked or idling traffic is my friend. I will listen for this traffic to ensure I am not veering into oncoming traffic. I also will not enter a crosswalk until I have heard adjacent traffic more than halfway through the intersection. This is to ensure that there will be no left-hand turning vehicles. I also pause before entering the intersection to ensure no one is making a right-hand turn. I must walk quickly as I only have 20 seconds to cross four lanes. A lot of time can be used up from the location of the button, lining up safely, listening to traffic, aligning with the sun and keeping in a straight line. Straight line tracking can be difficult for many visually impaired people, especially beginners. Balance is very closely associated with vision, for those with later in life vision loss, this can be quite an adjustment.
The white cane is our eyes. It uses tactile feedback to identify our surroundings
I tend to have stair anxiety when I am in unfamiliar surroundings. It can be hard to determine if you are stepping off a curb or down a flight of stairs. I prefer to use a handrail. I have not yet mastered cane travel in the snow. This is when it is helpful for the sidewalks to be cleared quickly after a snowfall. That is for another story.
Edwina Nearhood is a long time Fort St. John resident sharing her vision loss journey. Please remember, every person’s vision loss experience is as unique as they are.
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