Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How long does it take to learn to use a cane? (self.Blind)
submitted by Mr5t1k
Hey, long time lurker, first time posting here. I was born with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and diagnosed at age 5. I am now almost 33, and considering moving abroad. One thing that scares me is not being used to the same city I’ve been in for years (D.C.). I feel like I currently do not use a cane because I am so familiar with my surroundings and where I go frequently, but that all goes out the window if I move abroad.
What got you to pick up the cane? How long did it take you to get used to it? Also, for those in larger cities, do you find people heckle you or bother you while using it?
Thanks for any and all anecdotes.
What got you to pick up the cane? How long did it take you to get used to it? Also, for those in larger cities, do you find people heckle you or bother you while using it?
Thanks for any and all anecdotes.
codeplaysleep 9 points 1y ago
Honestly, it doesn't take long at all to learn the techniques. It takes practice to get good at them and for it to feel safe, natural, and intuitive. How long varies from person to person and how often you use the cane.
I'm a part-time cane user who had O&M when I was 30 but didn't actually use the cane after that until my early 40s. It took me a few months to feel like I really knew what I was doing.
I'm a part-time cane user who had O&M when I was 30 but didn't actually use the cane after that until my early 40s. It took me a few months to feel like I really knew what I was doing.
yoyo2718 6 points 1y ago
Still getting used to it (I’m a part time user, had a small handful of o&m lessons over a few months). I think it’s not that hard mechanically, but when I try to multitask or get distracted I get out of step or miss things sometimes. I have enough vision for street crossings, so i imagine it takes longer to become safe with that kind of thing. Never been heckled, people generally apologize to me when I hit them with the cane lol (my vision is easily overwhelmed, so when I do use the cane my eyes are typically closed).
Edit: for what it’s worth, I use an nfb cane for the lighter weight, but I do find 2 point touch a bit harder…there’s less information than constant contact, which as a new user I find tricky.
Edit: for what it’s worth, I use an nfb cane for the lighter weight, but I do find 2 point touch a bit harder…there’s less information than constant contact, which as a new user I find tricky.
pisces0387 3 points 1y ago
please can you explain 2 point touch? Sounds interesting. long time/all the time cane user here. Blind from birth so it's pretty non negotiable lol
TechnicalPragmatist 4 points 1y ago
Two point touch is like tapping the cane from side to side. You tap it on one side lift it a little tap it on the other side. That’s the best I can describe it.you tap it with every step you take.
pisces0387 3 points 1y ago
ah.... I know. Just regular touch technique, but by a different name. Thanks for explaining
blackberrybunny 3 points 1y ago
I'd like to add to this discussion, if I may. Hi, I'm Molly, from FL. I'm 53. I was born with R.O.P. Legally blind since birth.I learned the 2 point touch method when I went to the LA Center for the Blind in my 30's. They taught me how to use and NFB long cane. It has a metal tip, which you tap along with, and with that metal tip you can 'feel' different surfaces. But the important thing to understand is that the NFB cane is measured to your height. The cane's handle, the very top, if you stand it upright in front of you, is as high as your nose. That is how they fit you with the right length of cane, and this way, the cane's tip will land/fall on the surface, where you foot will fall. The cane is measured perfectly, so as to make sure that it touches the ground where your next footfall will be, so you don't fall into a hole, or off the side of the sidewalk, etc. I hope I explained this easily.
I prefer this type of cane and metal tip, because it is what I learned how to use. It became and extension of my body and the tips last a long time. Easily replaceable.
Everyone has their own preference. The important thing is that you seek and get M&O training.
Good luck! You're gonna be just fine.
​
PS-- if you are interested, the Louisiana Center for the Blind has an adult 6 month training program to teach visually impaired or totally blind people how to do EVERYTHING in life so you are independent. Cooking, traveling, O&M, Braille, how to use technology, how to shop, how to eat at a buffer restaurant, how to roller skate, go rock climbing, white water rafting, how to use power tools, how to just LIVE. It's all free-- and they provide you with your own apartment during your training. It was the best 6 months of my life! Please seek them out and ask about their program. For anyone else interested, they also have a children's program too.
I prefer this type of cane and metal tip, because it is what I learned how to use. It became and extension of my body and the tips last a long time. Easily replaceable.
Everyone has their own preference. The important thing is that you seek and get M&O training.
Good luck! You're gonna be just fine.
​
PS-- if you are interested, the Louisiana Center for the Blind has an adult 6 month training program to teach visually impaired or totally blind people how to do EVERYTHING in life so you are independent. Cooking, traveling, O&M, Braille, how to use technology, how to shop, how to eat at a buffer restaurant, how to roller skate, go rock climbing, white water rafting, how to use power tools, how to just LIVE. It's all free-- and they provide you with your own apartment during your training. It was the best 6 months of my life! Please seek them out and ask about their program. For anyone else interested, they also have a children's program too.
TechnicalPragmatist 3 points 1y ago
No problem and yeah, just a different name I guess. What we call it here in the US.
yoyo2718 2 points 1y ago
Yup, sorry for the confusion…it’s just tapping back and forth. the nfb canes don’t have rolling tips. I like the rolling ones, but lots of brick and uneven sidewalks here, so staying in constant contact with the sidewalk doesn’t work too well here…always getting stuck.
Mr5t1k [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks for sharing. My issue is at night and my peripheral vision. So I guess I could be part time as well.
Tech_Piano 6 points 1y ago
I started using a cane when I was in preschool. To answer your question, it really depends on each person on how long to get used to using a cane. I have a ambutech folding cane with a roller tip on mine, since I use constant contact, which means moving the cane back-and-forth without picking it up.
Mr5t1k [OP] 3 points 1y ago
The few blind folks I’ve seen in the city have roller tips. The only cane I have was given to me, but is folding with a flat tip.
Tech_Piano 5 points 1y ago
I also forgot to mention, each person has their own preference of what kind of tip they have on the Cane. There are also NFB Canes, that I think you can get for free, but you have to use two point touch most of the time, but you can try using constant contact. If you want to learn more about using a cane, I would look into hiring a orientation and mobility instructor, although I am not sure how much that would cost.
Vicki7789 5 points 1y ago
I use a cane part time, and for similar reasons to yourself - reduced peripheral vision and night vision that’s not that great.
It didn’t take long to pick up the techniques but it took a while to trust the information and realise that actually, I could look up at my surroundings and the cane would find the obstacles at floor level.
It makes navigating crowds so much easier, and I wouldn’t be without it at night if I’m by myself.
It didn’t take long to pick up the techniques but it took a while to trust the information and realise that actually, I could look up at my surroundings and the cane would find the obstacles at floor level.
It makes navigating crowds so much easier, and I wouldn’t be without it at night if I’m by myself.
JessConstantino 4 points 1y ago
The rest doesn’t really apply to me. I learned O&M when I was a child in school. But as an adult, I only use it when I lose vision and I’m more blind then visually impaired. Lol with the vision I have now I have learned my surroundings and usually am not alone to need a mobility device
DannyMTZ956 3 points 1y ago
Read the Care and Feeding of the WhiteCane. Google will bring up the book.
Mr5t1k [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thank you for suggesting this!! :)
Snoo_85465 2 points 1y ago
Hey! The o and m training is way backed up in my city so I learned to use my cane from YouTube videos and the national federation of the blind e book on “the care and feeding of the white cane”. If you Google that you’ll find it. Of course, don’t try to cross busy roads etc without getting advice and help first!!! But I was truly screwed, I needed o and m and I haven’t heard from them at all despite being authorized so I went ahead and learned by myself because I couldn’t risk falling again. I am sure my technique is not good but I am able to be safe and navigate major cities by myself now!
Mr5t1k [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thank you so much for the reply. Someone else suggested that manual as well. I hope you get through the wait list soon!
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 1y ago
I learnt it when I was very young. I think it depends on how quick of a learner you are. I am a pretty quick learner most people would say I am very sharp. So I picked it up really quickly, so much so that my mobility teacher ran out of thins to do with me senior year of high school and instead we learnt to cook, went to starbucks to hang out, he tried tried is the keyword here to teach me meditation and yoga. We did funny things because I think he was required to meet with me besides being lazy and comfortable and I still don’t always use my cane correctly more out of choice and comfort not out of not knowing how, there was absolutely nothing to teach me.
I use lighter canes I have one called the iowa cane or commander technology canes now made in louisiana I also really like dcanes.
I use the metal nfb tips and I mostly use constant contact or just have it there in front of me. Prag technique just being lazy but surprisingly never had an accident.
No I have been blind all my life, no one has said or done anything. They acknowledge your’e blind much faster. Sometimes you tend to get sympathy or pity.
I use lighter canes I have one called the iowa cane or commander technology canes now made in louisiana I also really like dcanes.
I use the metal nfb tips and I mostly use constant contact or just have it there in front of me. Prag technique just being lazy but surprisingly never had an accident.
No I have been blind all my life, no one has said or done anything. They acknowledge your’e blind much faster. Sometimes you tend to get sympathy or pity.
jmc-03 1 points 1y ago
To be honest, it really depends on how the person will get used to and be familiar. But in my own experience, I researched websites like Evika to find educational resources and ask also here to learn the best tips. They are not a solution but it helps me be more familiar.
Really hope I help :)
Really hope I help :)
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
r_1235 1 points 1y ago
I think I just spent 30 mins with a cane, under guidance of an existing cane user, not even an O&M specialist. And then, began using it as an ID cane. Sometimes do use it as probing cane. And, 6 years with the cane in one of the most populated cities, no serious accidents.
JessConstantino 1 points 1y ago
120 hours to get certified
Mr5t1k [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Is this spaced out over sessions or is this like an intensive training one goes through?
JessConstantino 1 points 1y ago
Yes it is spaced out over several sessions usually. Like a training course. At least mine were in school again I’m not sure how they do it for adults but I would guess it’s spaced out.
DannyMTZ956 1 points 1y ago
At a rehab-center like the Louisiana Center for the Blind, training is intensive. Cane travel is given for a couple of hours Monday through Friday, plus all the aditional travel you do outside that training.
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