Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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What cane to get when moving to England? (self.Blind)
submitted by teameadow719
TL:DR I’m gonna move to England and I want to buy an appropriate cane. Need advice from British people on which one to buy.
Hello!
I will be going to a school for the blind in England this upcoming school year and I’m really excited!
A few good things to know: I’m from another European country, I am legally blind but have a few percentages of sight left and I have been using a long mobility cane (I think that’s what they’re called) since I was eight years old.
I visited England and the school last autumn and I got a few comments about my cane from students and teachers.
The cane I have is $1 from a German brand called Comde-Derenda. It has a wooden handle and can be folded into five parts. The bottom part is silver metallic but the rest cane is white. With it, I use $1 small “pear-shaped” tip.
I was told multiple times that they mostly use “marshmallow-tips” in England which I have never seen in my country. I was also asked if I had an additional disability since I had a two centimetre long strip of red tape right below the handle. The strip was there when I got the cane from my county and so has all the other canes I’ve ever had and it has never been an issue in my country. I know a white cane with red stripes indicates that a person is both visually and hearing impaired in the UK, it’s the same in my country.
To avoid misunderstandings and issues, I would like to get an “English cane” when moving. Also, it could be fun to get a new cane! I obviously can’t get one from some authority since I’m not a British citizen, so I guess I have to buy one online.
**Where do you buy a cane online in the UK?** Preferably a foldable one with a marshmallow tip. Which one would you recommend? Perhaps some links?
Thanks a lot in advance!
Hello!
I will be going to a school for the blind in England this upcoming school year and I’m really excited!
A few good things to know: I’m from another European country, I am legally blind but have a few percentages of sight left and I have been using a long mobility cane (I think that’s what they’re called) since I was eight years old.
I visited England and the school last autumn and I got a few comments about my cane from students and teachers.
The cane I have is $1 from a German brand called Comde-Derenda. It has a wooden handle and can be folded into five parts. The bottom part is silver metallic but the rest cane is white. With it, I use $1 small “pear-shaped” tip.
I was told multiple times that they mostly use “marshmallow-tips” in England which I have never seen in my country. I was also asked if I had an additional disability since I had a two centimetre long strip of red tape right below the handle. The strip was there when I got the cane from my county and so has all the other canes I’ve ever had and it has never been an issue in my country. I know a white cane with red stripes indicates that a person is both visually and hearing impaired in the UK, it’s the same in my country.
To avoid misunderstandings and issues, I would like to get an “English cane” when moving. Also, it could be fun to get a new cane! I obviously can’t get one from some authority since I’m not a British citizen, so I guess I have to buy one online.
**Where do you buy a cane online in the UK?** Preferably a foldable one with a marshmallow tip. Which one would you recommend? Perhaps some links?
Thanks a lot in advance!
Phieleon 9 points 1y ago
I'm using the same cane as you. Come from Nothern Europe. I would never change my cane to fit in somewhere else.
napoleon88 5 points 1y ago
Hi bro, which blind school you going to? I am a former student of NCW Worcester myself.
Firstly, cane tips are personal preference - one is not more common than any other in the UK, you just need to decide what works for you.
I would recommend purchasing canes from Queen Alexandra College website if you wish, but you really don't need to. Stay away from the RNIB if you can avoid them...they're not particularly good or helpful people.
Firstly, cane tips are personal preference - one is not more common than any other in the UK, you just need to decide what works for you.
I would recommend purchasing canes from Queen Alexandra College website if you wish, but you really don't need to. Stay away from the RNIB if you can avoid them...they're not particularly good or helpful people.
bradley22 4 points 1y ago
I would just keep using your own cain.
NoConfidence_2192 4 points 1y ago
By the way RNIB stands for Royal National Institute of Blind People and their website is $1
TheFreebooter 3 points 1y ago
If you're looking to get around, I have some additional information:
The street design is somewhat accommodating to blind people; near a designated crossing point there will be tactile paving slabs (bobbles, it will feel lumpy underfoot); near stairs or a general falling hazard there will be a striped tactile pattern (that feels like standing on a fat train track), going along the stripes will generally be safe and going through the stripes will take you towards or away from the stairs or other hazard; traffic lights should beep when it is safe to cross. Also, pedestrians have right of way at any dropped kerb with tactile paving slabs next to a junction that does not have traffic lights and at zebra crossings, so cars should stop for you as you cross at those locations.
I'm not sure how much tactile flooring and accessible traffic lights there is in Germany but I hope you find the UK accommodating.
The street design is somewhat accommodating to blind people; near a designated crossing point there will be tactile paving slabs (bobbles, it will feel lumpy underfoot); near stairs or a general falling hazard there will be a striped tactile pattern (that feels like standing on a fat train track), going along the stripes will generally be safe and going through the stripes will take you towards or away from the stairs or other hazard; traffic lights should beep when it is safe to cross. Also, pedestrians have right of way at any dropped kerb with tactile paving slabs next to a junction that does not have traffic lights and at zebra crossings, so cars should stop for you as you cross at those locations.
I'm not sure how much tactile flooring and accessible traffic lights there is in Germany but I hope you find the UK accommodating.
guitarandbooks 3 points 1y ago
I'm from the US but lived in England when I was younger. as others have mentioned, check out what the RNIB has to offer. I used my Ambutech cane from the states and never had issues with anybody being confused as to what it was or what it signified.
Vicki7789 3 points 1y ago
It may have been the silver section that got the comments - most canes here in the UK are completely white. I use a big ball too most of the time, but have a roller marshmallow tip for indoor or urban use when the pavements are well maintained.
niamhweking 3 points 1y ago
I'd recommend contacting rnib.
There is also a group for young VI people called LOOK UK, they have a very active twitter and fb pages that could be a useful social outlet and they also run practical sessions like interview skills, Job hunting, mentoring etc
Good luck!
There is also a group for young VI people called LOOK UK, they have a very active twitter and fb pages that could be a useful social outlet and they also run practical sessions like interview skills, Job hunting, mentoring etc
Good luck!
LilacRose32 3 points 1y ago
The RNIB online shop has a good selection
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
I definitely think there’s not a problem with your cane.
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