Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Snow-ready sight cane? (self.Blind)
submitted by androidanatomy
I’m a Northerner relocated to Texas. We’ve had snow every year since I moved and this year it’s stuck—and it’s snowing again tomorrow. I didn’t start using a sight cane until after I’d moved, and my primary sight cane is a folding Ambutech cane. I’ve switched to using a rigid NFB cane in the snow because the joints on my Ambutech cane are just not compatible with snow at all, but the NFB cane is too lightweight and thin to be useful in this weather. I’m just stabbing snow banks left and right with no useable feedback.
So, for future reference: What the hell is the best cane option for snow? Rigid, marshmallow tip or disc, constant contact or tapping? I thought growing up with snow would make this easier, but Texan O&M did not prepare me for this.
So, for future reference: What the hell is the best cane option for snow? Rigid, marshmallow tip or disc, constant contact or tapping? I thought growing up with snow would make this easier, but Texan O&M did not prepare me for this.
phillstaf 6 points 2y ago
I use a folding ambutech 52" aluminum with 4 segments, the newer cone joints, and a hook style marshmallow roller.
I live in Canada so snow is definitely a factor.
My first tip is absolutely using 2 point touch instead of constant contact.
The big issue I find with folding canes is that the joints aren't stable enough to handle snow or sometimes even hard use. About 6 or 7 years ago I think is when the design changed to the cone shaped joints which if not locked well jump out entirely, and create some scary situations.
A good solution that sometimes works and isn't recommended, is to bang the cane on the ground vertically, this will usally lock the joints. To unlock, a quick trick is to bang the cane on the ground at a 45 degre angle to release the joints.
I would guess a rigid cane will offer some better use, but snow is all about techniques, so avoid constant contact and potentially use a higher lift than usual to get over heavy snow.
Final tip, when it snows avoid traveling if possible, sidewalks are the last thing to get cleared or treated if the municipality you live in does it at all, be prepared to have to walk on the road and use curbs or snowbanks as guides, and if nessacary to walk in the roadway due to no other option present, put the curb or snow bank on your left hand side, this way you are facing traffic and they can see your cane while approaching and provide adequate space knowing that you may not see them.
I live in Canada so snow is definitely a factor.
My first tip is absolutely using 2 point touch instead of constant contact.
The big issue I find with folding canes is that the joints aren't stable enough to handle snow or sometimes even hard use. About 6 or 7 years ago I think is when the design changed to the cone shaped joints which if not locked well jump out entirely, and create some scary situations.
A good solution that sometimes works and isn't recommended, is to bang the cane on the ground vertically, this will usally lock the joints. To unlock, a quick trick is to bang the cane on the ground at a 45 degre angle to release the joints.
I would guess a rigid cane will offer some better use, but snow is all about techniques, so avoid constant contact and potentially use a higher lift than usual to get over heavy snow.
Final tip, when it snows avoid traveling if possible, sidewalks are the last thing to get cleared or treated if the municipality you live in does it at all, be prepared to have to walk on the road and use curbs or snowbanks as guides, and if nessacary to walk in the roadway due to no other option present, put the curb or snow bank on your left hand side, this way you are facing traffic and they can see your cane while approaching and provide adequate space knowing that you may not see them.
phillstaf 2 points 2y ago
My apologies for any spelling or grammer mistakes, that may trip up screen readers, I am primarily visual so I do not use a screen reader consistantly and make a number of mistakes because of it.
FrankenGretchen 3 points 2y ago
I use a folding ambutek with a mushroom tip for every terrain or weather.
In particularly deep snow or this layered bullshit we have all over the frozen hellscape that is KY, tight now, I prefer to add a sturdy walking stick for my other hand. This is a solid rubber-tipped stability aid and hazard detector that keeps me upright and on the sidewalk. Covid has me inside or traveling with assistance (read in cars) right now but that's been my strategy for decades.
In particularly deep snow or this layered bullshit we have all over the frozen hellscape that is KY, tight now, I prefer to add a sturdy walking stick for my other hand. This is a solid rubber-tipped stability aid and hazard detector that keeps me upright and on the sidewalk. Covid has me inside or traveling with assistance (read in cars) right now but that's been my strategy for decades.
[deleted] 3 points 2y ago
[deleted]
siriuslylupin6 2 points 2y ago
Not a bad idea.
siriuslylupin6 3 points 2y ago
I think ambutech actually makes a tip especially for snow
vwlsmssng 6 points 2y ago
This one?
$1
> This hook style tip is designed to travel over uneven surfaces such as snow, sand, grass, pea gravel (school yards) and many more. Made from a durable plastic it will move easily on the ground. Not designed for constant use on cement, asphalt, concrete, or dirt roads.
$1
> This hook style tip is designed to travel over uneven surfaces such as snow, sand, grass, pea gravel (school yards) and many more. Made from a durable plastic it will move easily on the ground. Not designed for constant use on cement, asphalt, concrete, or dirt roads.
siriuslylupin6 3 points 2y ago
I think so.
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