Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane: Instructions in Cane Travel for Blind People
by Thomas Bickford
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why Should I Use This Thing That Makes Me Look Blind?
Who Can Learn Cane Travel?
How Long Should the Cane Be?
What Should the Cane Be Made Of?
How and Where Do You Hold the Cane?
Walking with the Cane, Rule One
Planning Practice Routes
Going Up and Down Stairs
Listening to Traffic on the Street as a Guide Which Way Can Cars Turn At Intersections?
Environmental Clues and Mental Maps
Expanding Your Horizons
One Dangerous Situation to Avoid
Crossing Big, Busy Intersections
What Goes Through My Mind While Walking Down a Street?
Walking with Someone Else
Walking Without a Cane
Riding Buses and Streetcars
Subways, Escalators, and Elevators
Airports, Train and Bus stations
5. Times and Places without the Usual Landmarks
Grocery Stores
How Do You Walk in Ice, Snow, and Rain?
How About Suburban and Rural Roads with No Sidewalks?
Are There Roads and Intersections Unsafe for Any Pedestrian?
Picnics, Hiking, and Rough Country
6. Care and Feeding of the Long White Cane
Wash, Feed, and Dress Your Cane
Where Does the Cane Go When Not in Use?
Which Hand Do You Cane With?
7. Thoughts and Experiences on Cane Travel
How Long Does It Take to Learn Cane Travel?
Can a Blind Person Teach Cane Travel?
No One Has to Do Everything Perfectly
What About Other Travel Aids, Dogs and Electronics?
The White Cane Freedom March
Sources of Canes