Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Legality and logistics of getting a white cane? (self.Blind)
submitted by quinnstopher36
Hello!
I suffer from Retinitis Pigmentosa and have been fairly lucky in terms of my degredation curve up to now. Unfortunately, my lower-peripheral and night vision have both declined fairly dramatically over the last few years. I am now looking into the logistics and legality of getting a probing cane to use exclusively at night as a result of this. I live in Boston, MA, USA for context.
Thank you for the help!
I suffer from Retinitis Pigmentosa and have been fairly lucky in terms of my degredation curve up to now. Unfortunately, my lower-peripheral and night vision have both declined fairly dramatically over the last few years. I am now looking into the logistics and legality of getting a probing cane to use exclusively at night as a result of this. I live in Boston, MA, USA for context.
Thank you for the help!
BlueIr1ses 8 points 2y ago
I am north of Boston and am not legally blind. I also wanted cane training for nighttime and bad vision days. I was able to pay for O&M sessions through the Carroll Center in Newton. If you are legally blind, I believe you qualify for free training through the state. I did about 6 sessions and got the basics of cane use down and the O&M specialist advised me about which cane lengths/tips would work well for me. It was really helpful and I feel much more confident now about using a cane in general.
quinnstopher36 [OP] 3 points 2y ago
This was perfect! I just reached out to them. Thank you!
FencingJester 8 points 2y ago
You can order one from a number of places. You can even get a free high quality one from nfb.org, just Google White cane program. You may want to schedule at least an initial training session with an orientation and mobility instructor to go over the basics - usually contacted through your state's department for the blind or vocational rehabilitation department.
quinnstopher36 [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Thank you for this! I will look into it.
BenandGracie 7 points 2y ago
Their are no legal issues surrounding getting a cane. Anyone can buy and use one.
tasareinspace 2 points 2y ago
This is MOSTLY true but there are some places (Flordia is one) where its illegal to use a white cane to cross a street if you're not legally blind.
Source: Flordia State Law:
316.1301 Traffic regulations to assist blind persons.—(1) It is unlawful for any person, unless totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated, while on any public street or highway, to carry in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red. A person who is convicted of a violation of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
Source: Flordia State Law:
316.1301 Traffic regulations to assist blind persons.—(1) It is unlawful for any person, unless totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated, while on any public street or highway, to carry in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red. A person who is convicted of a violation of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
stevenjd 1 points 2y ago
Is there some justification for that law, or is it just a case of Florida lawmakers gate-keeping for petty bureaucratic reasons?
"You can't use a cane unless you've filled out forms 267H, 713W and 938P, and paid your $230 registration fee."
Not that I'm cynical.
"You can't use a cane unless you've filled out forms 267H, 713W and 938P, and paid your $230 registration fee."
Not that I'm cynical.
tasareinspace 1 points 2y ago
I mean I feel like they pitched the law as "don't let people take advantage of... being able to cross the side walk safer!"
but it's flordia so... probably just petty.
but it's flordia so... probably just petty.
BenandGracie 1 points 2y ago
I stand corrected. I did not know that. I live in the midwest, and I don't think we have any laws like that here.
CosmicBunny97 3 points 2y ago
I don’t think it’s illegal to get a white cane if you’re not deemed legally blind by an ophthalmologist. Look into O&M at your local vision impairment service, and you should be provided with a cane or you can order them online.
UpsideDownwardSpiral 3 points 2y ago
Can confirm.
There is absolutely no legal (or moral for that matter) hurdles of getting a cane and using it whenever you need it. It's even fairly common for people, who may otherwise get around well enough, to have a cane for identifying purposes as a signal to others that they are visually impaired- especially in situations where you may need to use a cross walk or walk around in public. It lets others (especially in cars when crossing a street) know that they need to be aware of your movements because you may not recognize visual cues.
Good for you for advocating for yourself.
The free white cane program from NFB (National Federation For the blind will mail you a free cane (up to once every 6 months) free of charge, and with no requriements to jump through hoops or become a member. Just figure out the size that you need. There are a few different thoughts or theories as to what the best length is for a person, just look it up and figure out what makes sense to you (I chose sternum height for mine, I have no peripheral vision).
Best of luck!
There is absolutely no legal (or moral for that matter) hurdles of getting a cane and using it whenever you need it. It's even fairly common for people, who may otherwise get around well enough, to have a cane for identifying purposes as a signal to others that they are visually impaired- especially in situations where you may need to use a cross walk or walk around in public. It lets others (especially in cars when crossing a street) know that they need to be aware of your movements because you may not recognize visual cues.
Good for you for advocating for yourself.
The free white cane program from NFB (National Federation For the blind will mail you a free cane (up to once every 6 months) free of charge, and with no requriements to jump through hoops or become a member. Just figure out the size that you need. There are a few different thoughts or theories as to what the best length is for a person, just look it up and figure out what makes sense to you (I chose sternum height for mine, I have no peripheral vision).
Best of luck!
lutrinalle 2 points 2y ago
not in the US but wanted to offer my own experience.
i have RP too and still have a decent, movable amount of peripheral vision (10 degrees when last checked), but i was still given cane training and have a cane to use. i don't use it much but if I did it would definitely be partly a alert people I'm partially sighted, partly a give me room
i have RP too and still have a decent, movable amount of peripheral vision (10 degrees when last checked), but i was still given cane training and have a cane to use. i don't use it much but if I did it would definitely be partly a alert people I'm partially sighted, partly a give me room
gnl221 2 points 2y ago
The cane doesn’t even need to be white. Especially if you’re using it for night use you can get hi visibility reflective tape or glow in the dark.
tasareinspace 0 points 2y ago
Hello, fellow Masshole!! (I say this with all the affection in my heart-- nothing wrong with being a Masshole) I just PMed you!
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