Orientation and Mobility
Learning to travel safely and independently using techniques like cane travel, route planning, and spatial organizational strategies.
How to Demand Your Space with a Cane in Middle School Hallways
Brody
Grade: 6
Visual Impairment: Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
Tools: CCTV, JAWS on large laptop
TVI email: jamie.smith@negaresa.org
Have you ever wondered why people are still coming in front of you in the hall, even though you’re using your cane? Sometimes you feel like an animal who doesn’t want to be roadkill. Here is a way to let them know the space you need.
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Be sure that you are sweeping your cane the whole width of your shoulders. If you’re doing this, people will know how much space you need.
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People might get touched by your cane. That’s okay! If that happens, don’t worry–all it’s doing is telling them that you need a little more space.
Sometimes this technique doesn’t work well in lines. Instead I just hold my cane in “shepherd’s grip” for waiting in line.