More About Cane Travel

Once you’ve mastered the basics you’ll be ready to move on to more advanced techniques. I should add here that these techniques aren’t more complicated or difficult; they are simply the natural progression of learning to use a cane effectively. You have to learn to add before you can multiply the same holds true here.

Stairs

There are all sorts of stair configurations, some with handrails, some with landings and some with turns. The basic technique is the same. The basic concept of always only going where your cane has been applies here too.

If there is a handrail I use that in the hand that is closest. I use my other hand to work my cane. I usually hold the cane diagonally across my body a little ways in front of me. I lightly rest the tip of the cane on the step in front of me. As I go down the cane tip slides forward and drops down to the next step. When it stops dropping and just slides I know I’m at the bottom or a landing.

When going up I do the same basic thing except the cane won’t do the slide and drop thing. I lightly press the cane tip against the step and slide it up to find the next step. I also keep the cane ahead of me two steps or so, because it is awkward to have the cane only one step ahead.

If I am in a person’s home or other place where I think there might be stuff on the stairs, I also move the cane across as I slide it up or down to check for toys, or whatever might be there. Just remember to check with your cane first before you move into any space that isn’t known to you. Use your common sense and go with what works for you.

Crossing Streets

This has got to be one of the biggest anxiety producing events for blind and visually impaired people. It doesn’t have to be that way though. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you can do this. Start small and work up to more complicated intersections.

If you don’t know the rules of the road learn them. Knowing when cars can turn, which lanes of traffic will be turning which way, when cars will likely stop etc. will help you greatly when you are crossing streets.

As you approach the corner pay special attention to what sounds are available. Can you hear traffic? Is one street busier than the other? Is there some other sound reference like a dog barking? Stop at the corner and listen for a while longer. Before you begin to cross you should have an idea of what you are getting into. Do both streets continue in both directions? Or is this a T intersection? Is the traffic one way or two? Are there turning lanes? An island? Traffic Lights? Stop signs?

Keep listening until you feel that you understand the traffic patterns. It may help to stand back a bit from the corner and look relaxed as you do this. If you are right at the curb, drivers will most likely think you are trying to cross. They will get confused and will probably stop or yell at you that it’s okay to go.

Here’s another very important thing about independent travel… Never, never, never cross a street if you aren’t sure if it’s okay, even if someone tells you that it’s okay. It may very well be okay, but if you aren’t ready, don’t go. When I cross the street it is on my terms, when I am ready and have all the information I need. I equate going out into traffic on someone else’s okay to being pushed off the high dive board at the swimming pool. You feel unsure, off balance and generally it’s just no fun.

When you feel that you understand the intersection and feel like you can pick a good time to cross go for it! When I first started crossing busy streets I always felt like the street was much wider than it should have been. It seemed like it took forever to get to the other side. With practice and feeling more confident about crossing this has changed.

Don’t worry if you don’t land exactly at the wheelchair ramp or sidewalk on the other side. This is totally normal. You can work on walking straighter, veer intentionally away from parallel traffic or just keep practicing! It does get better! Be sure to check out where you are stepping up onto the curb so that you don’t smack into a sign or pole.

sounds in the Environment

As you get more proficient with using your cane to move about safely, you will begin to be able to think about other things around you. You will begin to notice the sounds of far away traffic, birds, dogs barking, music in shops as you pass and grocery carts trundling through a parking lot. Then you will be able to hear things that don’t make any noise at all, like trees, parked cars, and buildings. No I’m not losing my mind! You won’t really be able to hear the sound of a tree, but you will be able to distinguish a difference in the quality of the other sounds around you.

Try this experiment to see what I mean. Go into the bathroom and shut the door. Stand quietly and listen for a minute or two. Now go into a larger room, stand in the middle and listen for another minute or two. Can you notice the difference? Doesn’t the bathroom sound smaller? The walls don’t talk to you, but the sounds are funneled differently.

You can also try talking and then put your hand in front of your mouth. Listen to how the sound changes. As you pay more and more attention to the sounds around you the ability to notice objects by the absence of sound will increase.

You can practice this skill in a hallway. Try walking down the center of a hallway, keeping yourself on course by listening to the way the sounds change when you get too close to a wall. If you are doing this away from home be sure to also use your cane!

Remember practice, practice, practice! The only way to get better is to work on it. It may take months or years, but it will come.

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