Workshop for Validation of Folding Cane – Blind Relief Association

In the life of any visually impaired person, orientation and mobility training and folding white cane plays a vital role. It can enhance their independence and enable them to gain access to fundamental and developmental services.

However, lack of availability of folding cane, coupled with their high cost are the biggest impediments that hinder the visually challenged people from reaping their benefits.

To address this issue, the Blind Relief Association designed and developed a new, affordable folding cane for the safe, independent mobility of persons with visual impairment.

A workshop was organised on 10 August in the premises of the Blind Relief Association to validate the effectiveness of the cane.

Resource persons and representatives of organisations in Delhi such as Saksham and NAB, India attended the workshop and experimented the cane. Around 25 participants from JPM Senior Secondary School, and colleges such as Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education, Dayal Singh College, Bhimrao Ambedkar College, Khalsa College, National Association of the Blind, Delhi and Canara Bank participated in the workshop and recorded their feedback.

Details including the length, weight, price etc., was discussed in the feedback session. Based on the responses, the orientation and mobility team of the Association will work on redesigning the cane to meet the requirements of the visually impaired persons.