Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Using a cane on uneven surfaces (self.Blind)
submitted by QuentinJamesP89
I'm relatively new to using a cane. I lost much of my vision last year and once I was able to get some training I started using the cane off and on. A few weeks ago after an accident I began to use it all the time. I have no problem on sidewalks, stairs, or in buildings and any place with a flat surface. But I've found on grass, or hiking, or at the playground with my family I have trouble on uneven ground. It feels unnatural, I get impaled in the ribs occasionally, and I still feel like I have trouble getting my footing and miss dips. Is there a different technique I should be using on surfaces like this? A different cane tip? Should I reach out to my O&M instructor about this?
KillerLag 11 points 1y ago
Because the ground is uneven, constant contact (keeping the tip on the ground) doesn't work as well (or at all, for enough snow or sand). You'd have to switch to two point touch (you tap side to side, roughly shoulder width). The cane spends much less time on the ground, so catches less often. But it also can miss small holes in between, and is less effective at noticing slopes down.
There are other tips, but significantly less common. For snow, grass and sand, some people use the Dakota disk.
https://ambutech.com/products/hook-on-dakota-disk-tip
I've personally never seen it used, but I've had some coworkers who said they've had clients use it for hiking.
There are other tips, but significantly less common. For snow, grass and sand, some people use the Dakota disk.
https://ambutech.com/products/hook-on-dakota-disk-tip
I've personally never seen it used, but I've had some coworkers who said they've had clients use it for hiking.
QuentinJamesP89 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Thanks! I do use the two point touch technique on uneven surfaces; that's how I was taught. But yes, it seems like I can't get a great idea of dips and uneven ground from that. It will keep me from stumbling over or into something large, but I still feel like I falter a lot.
I'd never heard of the Dakota disk tip. Thanks for the recommendation!
I'd never heard of the Dakota disk tip. Thanks for the recommendation!
SoapyRiley 6 points 1y ago
I find the roller ball sufficient for grass areas. I recently got the Rover Wheel tip and, to me at least, it’s silent so not great if you rely on any auditory feedback from the cane but jabbing is very minimal. If you go this route, I find holding the cane in a way that allows it to be twisted like a knob works best for me.
QuentinJamesP89 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
This is helpful, thanks!
complex-blobfish 6 points 1y ago
are you switching tips? what tips are you currently using?
do you use the two point tap, or the constant contact technique?
if you are using the standard marshmallow tip, i would recommend trying others out. i have never got on well with that tip LOL, it got stuck in everything and refused to come out again.
for grass, the two point tap is the smoothest. but if you get a rover tip, this will be smooth on grass and hiking. it is a wheel and does require a slightly different hand movement, but you will understand when you have one.
it is made for the constant contact technique, so you will be able to find the potholes. it also rolls over tree roots and stones. the only downside is you do lose some of the tactile feedback as the wheel is made of foam.
i have found that the larger tips get stuck less. like the roller ball, the jumbo roller and the Dakota (for sand or gravel.).
if you don't have time to change tips i would go for the bigger tips.
using the right tip for the surface you are on will reduce being hit in the ribs, but there will always be a few hits occasionally.
do you use the two point tap, or the constant contact technique?
if you are using the standard marshmallow tip, i would recommend trying others out. i have never got on well with that tip LOL, it got stuck in everything and refused to come out again.
for grass, the two point tap is the smoothest. but if you get a rover tip, this will be smooth on grass and hiking. it is a wheel and does require a slightly different hand movement, but you will understand when you have one.
it is made for the constant contact technique, so you will be able to find the potholes. it also rolls over tree roots and stones. the only downside is you do lose some of the tactile feedback as the wheel is made of foam.
i have found that the larger tips get stuck less. like the roller ball, the jumbo roller and the Dakota (for sand or gravel.).
if you don't have time to change tips i would go for the bigger tips.
using the right tip for the surface you are on will reduce being hit in the ribs, but there will always be a few hits occasionally.
QuentinJamesP89 [OP] 4 points 1y ago
Thanks for the suggestions! I was taught to use the two point touch technique on ground like that. I am using a metal glide tip right now, though I started out with the marshmallow tip. I actually have a few different tips, but haven't experimented much. You're right that the one I'm using is small and that's probably why it gets stuck more often. I don't think changing tips would be a problem. I guess I should experiment with them a little more. If it's the one that looks like a wheel I think I have seen the rover tip from Ambutech. It looked kind of weird and I didn't know how to use it so I don't have that. You said it requires a different technique: would I need to request training for that specifically? I believe I do have the roller ball tip but I have never tried it.
complex-blobfish 3 points 1y ago
the rover does not require extra training, you just have to tilt your wrist when you change directions. it is more like steering than swiping or tapping. it only takes a few minutes to get used to it.
the metal guide tip will catch on the grass a lot. give the roller ball a go since you already have one.
the rover tip is the only one suitable for the constant contact technique on grass without ruining the tip quicker though. it is best for uneven ground that is a tripping hazard. i could not recommend it more.
the metal guide tip will catch on the grass a lot. give the roller ball a go since you already have one.
the rover tip is the only one suitable for the constant contact technique on grass without ruining the tip quicker though. it is best for uneven ground that is a tripping hazard. i could not recommend it more.
QuentinJamesP89 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thanks! I will give the roller ball a try for now, and see if I can order the rover tip to see how that does.
niamhweking 4 points 1y ago
We got a roller ball for our daughter as we live in a rural setting and the paths even in our nearest towns are awful. Works much better than a normal tip
QuentinJamesP89 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thanks!
maxyield5 3 points 1y ago
Hi, I too am visually impaired and almost completely sightless.
As for traversing uneven or rough terrain I use the 2 tap method. Simply meaning I tap my stick on right side then swing left and tap, keeping my swing within shoulders width checking for changes in elevations.
It's the best way for me to move about when walking off the beaten path
As for traversing uneven or rough terrain I use the 2 tap method. Simply meaning I tap my stick on right side then swing left and tap, keeping my swing within shoulders width checking for changes in elevations.
It's the best way for me to move about when walking off the beaten path
BlackKingBarTender 3 points 1y ago
O&M instructor here- I’d recommend switching tips to roller ball for reduced rib impaling when using constant contact
QuentinJamesP89 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thanks!
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