Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Doctors have suggested a cane but I'm not legally blind. I'm terrified of getting arrested. (self.Blind)
submitted by Westonvt
I have been visually impaired for a long time. I am not legally blind as my vision is mostly corrected by glasses but I do have a condition that affects vision from time to time.
My doctors and I have discussed options and as a ''just in case'', they have suggested learning to use a cane. A friend who is legally blind told me a couple of resources to check out and where i could get a cane and training.
One of the sources asks for a name/address and that's it; no proof of eye status, legally blind registration or doctors notes. Is there a registry for blind individuals they have to sign up for? I don't want to sign up for a cane and get in trouble because I'm not ''legally blind''. I do have a note and suggestions from a doctor to practice for times when I might need it. But I'm scared I'm going to get into trouble for taking a cane the organization doesn't think I need. Or if they add me to a different list and I get registered as blind somewhere and loose my job and privileges. I don't know what to do and I'm scared. I don't want to take resources away from someone who needs them more than me. I'm very new to this and I am terrified of doing the wrong thing.
My doctors and I have discussed options and as a ''just in case'', they have suggested learning to use a cane. A friend who is legally blind told me a couple of resources to check out and where i could get a cane and training.
One of the sources asks for a name/address and that's it; no proof of eye status, legally blind registration or doctors notes. Is there a registry for blind individuals they have to sign up for? I don't want to sign up for a cane and get in trouble because I'm not ''legally blind''. I do have a note and suggestions from a doctor to practice for times when I might need it. But I'm scared I'm going to get into trouble for taking a cane the organization doesn't think I need. Or if they add me to a different list and I get registered as blind somewhere and loose my job and privileges. I don't know what to do and I'm scared. I don't want to take resources away from someone who needs them more than me. I'm very new to this and I am terrified of doing the wrong thing.
codeplaysleep 6 points 2y ago
Are you in the US? If so, no, there's on such "registry" and no requirement of proof. Anyone can buy a white cane. Anyone can request a free one from NFB and they take it on good faith that you're not being a jerk and abuse that service.
There's no big database of blind people somewhere.
Some states have laws stating that it's unlawful to use a white cane if you're not "totally or partially blind" which is pretty vague (partially being an even more loose interpretation than legally). That said, if you're out with an O&M instructor learning cane travel skills in order to prepare you for likely future vision loss, no one in their right mind is going to have an issue with that.
And on that note, don't use a cane without O&M instruction or you can pick up bad/dangerous habits that could make cane travel unsafe if you ever do need to rely on it more in the future.
There's no big database of blind people somewhere.
Some states have laws stating that it's unlawful to use a white cane if you're not "totally or partially blind" which is pretty vague (partially being an even more loose interpretation than legally). That said, if you're out with an O&M instructor learning cane travel skills in order to prepare you for likely future vision loss, no one in their right mind is going to have an issue with that.
And on that note, don't use a cane without O&M instruction or you can pick up bad/dangerous habits that could make cane travel unsafe if you ever do need to rely on it more in the future.
Westonvt [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I have a friend who is blind and has been helping me. I still have great vision with my glasses. I am able to drive currently as long as I wear my glasses but my vision does get temporarily impaired due to another condition. My doctor suggested a cane to help and my friend who is blind has been pushing me to go forward with it. They explained about O&M training as well but I am just unsure about it still. I just did not want to take from someone else. Taking up time and resources from someone who needs it more.
I was more concerned about the definition of ''legally blind'' it makes it sound as though blind individuals register somewhere to prove they are ''legal'' and as such drivers licenses are stripped and jobs can remove a person from the payroll. Most days I am fine. Some days i need help and on those days I do not drive or operate heavy equipment or do anything dangerous.
I was more concerned about the definition of ''legally blind'' it makes it sound as though blind individuals register somewhere to prove they are ''legal'' and as such drivers licenses are stripped and jobs can remove a person from the payroll. Most days I am fine. Some days i need help and on those days I do not drive or operate heavy equipment or do anything dangerous.
awesomesaucesaywhat 1 points 2y ago
Legally blind is just a term to indicate that a person has some vision but not enough to not need some form of accommodation. It’s used to differentiate from those who are fully blind. It’s a category.
In the US you will not be violating any laws by using a white cane, although I am not a lawyer.
In the US you will not be violating any laws by using a white cane, although I am not a lawyer.
[deleted] 3 points 2y ago
You won’t grt arrested, even people who are low vision and aren’t legally blind can and should use a cane. It’s for your own safety and it is a visual indicator to other people that you can’t see well and might need help sometimes.
Shyanneabriana 2 points 2y ago
It can be scary to have to use a cane. While I am not completely blind, I have significant visual impairment. For a long time, I really really can’t put a cane because I saw it as something that wasn’t meant for me. It was meant for completely blind people. But, after running into numerous pools, trees, shopping carts, caution cones, and yes, other people… Let’s just say that the cane really does help even if you do have some vision.
Nobody is keeping track of all the blind people in America or at least not the people who you would buy a cane from. You don’t even have to be blind. A lot of sighted people blight them for their children or because they know somebody who is blind.
Don’t worry about taking resources. If you need a cane, for whatever reason, then you should definitely have one. You might not use it all the time, but it could be very helpful for times that your vision is not as good.
I wish you the best
Nobody is keeping track of all the blind people in America or at least not the people who you would buy a cane from. You don’t even have to be blind. A lot of sighted people blight them for their children or because they know somebody who is blind.
Don’t worry about taking resources. If you need a cane, for whatever reason, then you should definitely have one. You might not use it all the time, but it could be very helpful for times that your vision is not as good.
I wish you the best
DrillInstructorJan 1 points 2y ago
This is really important.
Everyone feels awkward about it in exactly the same way you do, no matter how much sight they have. I did, and I don't have practically any. Everyone feels like it's not for them, everyone feels like they're not a real blind person, even when they're as blind as, well, I am. Nobody feels like it's right. Everyone feels like they're pretending.
You're not going to take resources away from anyone. It's a stick, they're not in short supply. If it bothers you, carry a doctors' note.
If you need it you need it.
Everyone feels awkward about it in exactly the same way you do, no matter how much sight they have. I did, and I don't have practically any. Everyone feels like it's not for them, everyone feels like they're not a real blind person, even when they're as blind as, well, I am. Nobody feels like it's right. Everyone feels like they're pretending.
You're not going to take resources away from anyone. It's a stick, they're not in short supply. If it bothers you, carry a doctors' note.
If you need it you need it.
BooksDogsMaps 1 points 2y ago
I don‘t know of any law defining who exactly can use a white cane.
If your vision is still quite good, you might want to look into getting a signal cane instead of a long cane, though. I had this before I was legally blind.
If your vision is still quite good, you might want to look into getting a signal cane instead of a long cane, though. I had this before I was legally blind.
Westonvt [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I will look into this. Thank you.
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