Getting around safely

Your cane and your orientation and mobility skills come first. The gear in this guide supports them: spare canes and tips, ways to hear your phone's directions, and tools for finding things you drop or misplace.

Important: No product replaces training. If you have not had orientation and mobility (O&M) training, your state agency for the blind can connect you with a certified instructor, often at no cost.

White cane

A long white cane detects obstacles, steps, and curbs, and tells drivers you are blind. Many travelers keep a spare folding cane in a bag.

The National Federation of the Blind runs a Free White Cane Program for blind people in the United States. Check it before buying.

What to check before buying

Length: a common rule of thumb is a cane that reaches about to your armpit or chin, but your O&M instructor can recommend the right length.
Folding canes are easy to store; rigid canes give more feedback and are harder to damage.
Weight: lighter canes (such as carbon fiber) reduce wrist fatigue on long walks.
The tip type the cane accepts, so you can find replacements.

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Cane tips

Tips wear out and change how the cane feels. Roller and marshmallow tips glide over cracks; pencil tips give sharper feedback.

What to check before buying

Match the tip to your cane's connection type (for example hook or slip-on).
Keep a spare tip in your bag.

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Hearing your phone's directions

Phone GPS apps can announce streets, intersections, and nearby places. To use them safely, you need to hear directions while still hearing traffic.

What to check before buying

Open-ear or bone conduction headphones keep your ears free for traffic sounds. See our headphone tips.
A crossbody or chest phone holder frees your hands for the cane and a guide dog harness.
A portable battery pack, because GPS drains the battery quickly.

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Item trackers

A small tracker attached to keys, a bag, or a folded cane lets you make it play a sound from your phone. Some trackers can also guide you toward the item with spoken or vibrating feedback.