*this post is sponsored by Millercare but all opinions are my own*
The notion surrounding coloured or white canes is one that quite possibly divides the vision impairment community, and that’s ok. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everyone has a preference when it comes to white or coloured canes. There isn’t a wrong or right answer in regards to the cane debate, some people think that the traditional white cane is the only cane that should be used, whilst others think that coloured canes are acceptable.
Personally, I think it should be a person’s decision what cane they decide to use, it’s their mobility aid and it’s unique and individual to every cane user.
White is the universal colour of the long cane so I completely understand why people may be hesitant to use a coloured one.
I personally use a coloured cane myself and there are many reasons for why I do so which I’m going to share with you in the hope that it might help others wondering whether to venture to using a coloured cane or not.
It’s no secret that I struggled to get to grips with using my long cane, I felt like it made my disability stand out even more than it already did. I also thought that people would just see my cane, and not the person behind it. There are so many misconceptions surrounding disability and vision impairment that I didn’t want to add to them.
Of course, these were all my own thoughts and worries, and none of this was the case at all. I went on my own journey with my cane but I realised that it is my independence and nothing else mattered.
So why do I use a coloured cane?
I wouldn’t be without my purple cane now, it’s an extension of me and it gives me so much independence.
That’s not to say that I will use one forever, but right now, I’m happy using my trusty purple cane.
Using a coloured cane allows me to express my style
I’m a girly girl, I have an interest in fashion and beauty and I always like to look my best. By using a coloured cane, I can express my style in the form of my mobility aid as well as the way I look.
I can express my identity
My vision impairment is part of my identity, but it isn’t the only thing that shapes the person I am. By using a coloured cane, I’m able to express my identity through the colour of my cane. I have a purple cane because it appeals to me and that’s the colour I choose to have.
I’m sharing my identity through my mobility aid because it shows that I’m a girly girl and I like something a bit different to the traditional standard cane.
I can show my individuality
A cane is a mobility aid, meaning that it is a blind or visually impaired person’s key to independence, it helps them get around and navigate this predominantly sighted world.
It’s something that most of us carry with us throughout the day, you probably don’t often see us without it so why would we not want to show our individuality through our mobility aid?
By using a coloured cane, it could be seen as an accessory and something that’s necessary, rather than just a mobility aid.
It helped me become more comfortable in using a cane
Although I feel completely comfortable in using my cane now, when I was a quiet, not very confident teenager, I felt more comfortable using a coloured cane as I felt like it was more me, and may get rid of some of those misconceptions surrounding disability and vision impairment.
People used to compliment my coloured cane, this did get them away from the stigmas and misconceptions in a way.
However, I’m in no way saying that coloured canes are for children because I don’t think they are. I’m in my 20s and I still use my coloured cane and can’t see myself swapping anytime soon. But what I’m saying is that they may help with the initial negative feelings of using a cane.
The thought of using a cane can be daunting for blind and visually impaired people, it can leave you feeling anxious, scared and vulnerable. Like me, you may feel like the first thing that people see is your cane, or you might think it makes you stand out, but using a coloured cane may help get rid of these negative feelings over time.
These thoughts and feelings aren’t just specific to using a cane, they can occur when using all sorts of mobility aids but whatever your mobility aid, it’s important to remember that it is your independence. You can make any mobility aid your own such as adjustable walking sticks and show your personality and style if you would like to.
The colour of my cane wasn’t the turning point for me in terms of embracing my mobility aid, but it did help in a way as I was able to express my personality through my cane.
Having a coloured cane can help tackle the stigma of a ‘typical blind person’
I sometimes get told that I don’t look blind, whatever that is supposed to mean, and I never know what to respond.
The white cane is often attached to the notion of the ‘typical blind person’, therefore, using a coloured cane can educate society and help tackle this very outdated stereotype.
A cane is used in the same way regardless of its colour, so does it make a difference what colour it is?
It’s snazzy but safe
Safety is always a priority and should always come first. It’s even better when something is safe but also looks good.
I’m able to show that I’m more than my disability
I’m registered as blind, but I’m more than my disability, I have hobbies and interests, I have likes and dislikes, I’m a friend, a family member and a work colleague.
My coloured cane compliments this in a way – it allows me to express my personality and style but it also means that I can demonstrate to people that I’m more than my disability, and my mobility aid is my independence.
Those are just a few of the reasons for why I choose to use a coloured cane.
That’s not to say that I won’t go back to using a white cane in the future but for now, I’m happy with my purple cane as it fits my personality, style and identity.
Coloured canes and mobility aids aren’t for everyone, but if it helps someone get to grips when using one or it expresses their individuality or identity then surely that’s a good thing?
A cane or mobility aid is vital for disabled people, it gives us independence, it gives us freedom, it means that we can do the things we want to and it’s an extension of us, helping us navigate the world.
It’s important that we stay true to ourselves and are comfortable with the person we are, so if you want to customise your mobility aid then don’t let anyone stop you.
White or coloured cane? What’s your thoughts? Let me know in the comments.
Holly x
![There’s a phrase we hear far too often: “fully accessible”.
Hotels use it. Venues use it. Website developers use it. Event organisers use it.
On the surface, it sounds brilliant. But there’s no one size fits all approach to accessibility.
Because accessibility isn’t a box you can tick once and forget about. There isn’t a magic point where something becomes accessible to every single disabled person.
Our access needs are different. What works for one person might not work for another.
Rather than asking, “is it accessible?”
Ask: “Accessible for who?”
In my latest blog post, I’m exploring why “fully accessible” is a myth. Head to the link in my bio if you’d like to give it a read.
[Image descriptions:
Image one: Holly stood on a pier, leaning against a railing by a sandy beach with the sea in the background. She wears a black T-shirt, a skirt with a colourful floral pattern, a silver necklace and glasses.
Image two: Holly sat on a low stone wall beside a shallow stream with a path running alongside it. Dense green bushes and trees line the far bank, forming a thick hedge along the water. There is a small bridge and a building in the background. She wears a black T-shirt, a long, multicoloured patterned floral skirt and a silver necklace.]](https://lifeofablindgirl.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Hi Holly
You go for it girl!
At the moment I’ve got pink hair why be boring 😂? That’s what I say 😂
You are your own person so go for it, anyway your purple cane looks brilliant.
Love to you
Aislyn
Love that 🙌🏻😂 thank you so much
Great post! How long have you been blogging?
Thank you. I’ve been blogging for over 4 years
Extremely informative. I must (sheepishly) admit I never gave the color of such a cane much thought but thanks to you I am now much more aware. And I think that all of the reasons that you put forward are so sensible. Great post.
Thank you so much, really glad you enjoyed reading. Nothing wrong with that at all 🙂
Wait… Hold on… How did I miss hearing about this? I didn’t even know there was an option to have coloured canes. I guess nobody thought to tell me. OMG! I could have been using a purple cane, and nobody told me! I don’t remember seing them on the RNIB’s site when I last had to buy one, and I know my mobility officer has only ever offered me white… I wouldn’t have fought so hard against using my cane (and refused to do so until I lost the very last bit of my sight and had no choice) if I could have had a colourful cane! Still would have a little, but not so much.
Aw really? Yep I know what you mean. You can order them by calling the RNIB helpline, you can’t actually buy adult coloured canes on the website as it’s a special order
That explains why I didn’t see them. Thanks for that. I’ll definitely be doing that!
No problem at all
I enjoyed this post a lot. I connected with this post with your point of “I don’t look blind.” I get that a lot. People make this kind of remark to me and ones such as, “why do you use your cane if you wear glasses?” Sometimes people think I am faking my visually impairment especially when I have my cane out. I use my cane because I have night blindness, and I feel safer when I am out traveling on my own. I use my cane to also let the public know that I have problems seeing. However, I find myself explaining why I use my cane over and over again to people who ask me why I have it.
I also conned with your point of “I’m able to show that I’m more than my disability.” I agree with you on that point because I do other things beside blog about my disability. I read a lot, and I enjoy shopping. I wish that the public would see the whole me-that I am a successful person. I say this because many employers are shocked to hear that I use a screen reader. I wish they would just see what I can do rather than what I can’t do.
I use a long white cane myself. I didn’t get to choose between a colored or standard cane because I got the cane through my caseworker. I do know they do offer colored canes in the states though.
Thank you, really glad you enjoyed reading. Glad you could relate
A great post as always lovely. I feel like mobility aids are so personal to everyone and it should be completely up to the person who uses it if they want to personalise it or not. I can definitely see why a purple cane is the perfect match for you, it shows off your girly side and I love that!xxx
Thank you so much lovely, completely agree with you! Xxx
Hi Holly! Where did you get your coloured cane? Purple is my favourite colour, too! Right now, I’m using the standard red, black, and white! Great blog post, btw! 🙂
I got it from the RNIB, if you’re in the UK I’d recommend giving them a call. If not then your local or national sight loss charity might be able to help. Thank you ☺️