An Analysis of the Functions Required for the White Cane Tips

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify the function of the white cane tips. There are at least ten types of white cane tips used by people with visual impairment. Therefore, I first investigated the types of white cane tips used in O&M （Orientation and Mobility） training and their required functions in 71 blind schools in Japan. As a result of the investigation, it was found that the white cane tips required for O&M training had three functions: ease of replacement, ease of operation, and ease of road identification. Additionally, ten people with visual impairment conducted sensory rating tests for these three functions. As a result, none of the four white cane tips used in the school for the blind （Pencil-type, Marshmallow-type, Palm-type, and Roller-type） had all these three functions.