Collapsible white cane which belonged to Caroline France

1960s

white cane

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This is an example of a ‘long’ cane which was introduced into the UK from the 1960s. Previously blind people used a short ‘symbol’ cane to alert people to their visual impairment but the ‘symbol’ cane did not allow any kind of independence or mobility. The ‘long’ cane was designed to be used at chest height and swept the space in front of the user. Mobility and orientation lessons became part of the curriculum at schools for visually impaired students. The long cane method was significant because it gave blind people increased independence to be mobile without a guide.

Caroline France was a former pupil at