How to Purchase a Cane for the Blind

Purchasing a cane for a friend or family member who is blind doesn't have to be difficult. You will need to know what that person expects from their cane. Will he be using the cane at night? Does he need to store the cane in small spaces? What length will his cane need to extend to? Knowing these answers to these questions will enable you to make an appropriate purchase.

Things You'll Need

• Medical supply store

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Instructions

• 1

  Take the person who you are purchasing the cane for to the medical supply store with you. Buying him a cane is much different than buying him a hat. The cane will play a huge role in the way he lives his life, so he should be there to make that decision.

• 2

  Develop an understanding of the type of cane you are looking for. Canes for the blind are generally white, both for symbolic and practical reasons, and cannot be found in a regular retail store.

• 3

  Search of a cane of the right length. Keep in mind that a blind person's cane isn't just held straight down in the manner that someone who might be using a cane as a crutch would hold one. The cane must be long enough for the blind person to hold out in front of him in order to feel for his surroundings.

• 4

  Determine if the blind person will be walking outside at night. Some canes have a light built-in or attached as an extra safety feature.

• 5

  Limit your search to canes which can be folded up. This will be necessary if he needs to store his cane in a smaller area.

• 6

  Let the person who you are buying the cane for test out multiple canes while walking. The only way they will know if the cane works for him is by trying it out.

• 7

  Expect to pay around $20 to $50 for a cane. Consider buying two, so he will have a backup cane ready if the first one should get damaged.