Can the color of a blindness cane tell you how much usable vision someone has? Sometimes, but probably not.
Organizations dedicated to blindness, orientation and mobility (also known as O&M, the study of how visually impaired people navigate their environment), and safety groups have attempted to establish guidelines for blindness cane colors, and suggested that some color combinations can indicate the level of a person’s usable vision. However, these guidelines are about as “rigid” as the blindness canes themselves; just like there are many flexible and collapsible canes on the market, someone who is blind or that has low vision can choose to purchase whatever color cane they would like, though there may be some situations where a specific cane color is desired or recommended.
Here is an overview of the most common colors of blindness canes available on the market, including examples of how they are useful in specific scenarios.
Disclaimer
I am not a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), and I strongly recommended working with a COMS from the state department for visual impairment or vocational rehabilitation prior to purchasing or using a blindness cane for the first time. I cannot make individual recommendations for what cane someone should use, or if they should be using a cane at all. The information provided here is for informational purposes only, and is written from the perspective of a person with low vision that uses a cane in their everyday life.
Related links
- Services Provided By State Department/State Unit for Visual Impairment
- Vocational Rehabilitation for College Students
Are all canes for the visually impaired white?
The term white cane is often used to refer to the mobility device used by people with visual impairments, a term that is inclusive of blindness, low vision, neurological visual impairment, and vision loss that is not otherwise corrected by glasses, contacts, or surgery. However, some Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) use alternative terms such as blindness cane, probing cane, or long cane since not all canes are white. I personally use the term blindness cane to differentiate from a cane used for walking or physical support, since this is the term my instructors would use as well.
The invention of the blindness cane in 1921 is credited to James Biggs, a photographer who lost his vision following an accident that painted a walking cane white so that he would be able to easily navigate his home and so others would be able to clearly see his cane. The first safety protections for pedestrians using blindness canes were passed almost ten years later in December 1930 following advocacy from the Peoria Lions Club in Illinois, granting blind pedestrians the right-of-way when using a white cane for navigation. Some early cane designs came in different colors such as black, which is less reflective.
While white remains the most well-known cane color in the United States, there are many other cane colors that are used by individuals with visual impairments. In general, blindness canes get their colors from being wrapped in reflective tape, which is visible at night and in low lighting.
Related links
- Blindness Canes and WonderWord: An O&M Word Search
- Ten Things To Know About Going To College With A Blindness Cane
- How Amazon Alexa Can Help You Listen To History
White cane with a red/colored bottom
A reflective white cane with a red or other colored bottom segment provides additional visual contrast against surfaces like walkways, curbs, stairs, and grass, as well as for bystanders, bikers, or people that are driving. This is the one of the most common colors of blindness canes in the United States, and is frequently used by people with low vision, legal blindness, neurological visual impairment, or some usable vision that may use the colored segment as an additional visual cue. That said, blind people and people who have no usable vision will often use canes with a colored bottom segment as well, especially if they prefer the design of collapsible canes that fold into segments when not in use.
There are several options for cane tips that can be used with blindness canes, with many users opting for marshmallow tips that have a large surface area. The most common color for the bottom segment of a blindness cane is red, and this is reflected in emoji related to orientation and mobility, which are shown below:
- 🦯
- 👩🦯
- 🧑🦯
- 👨🦯
I have my own custom canes that have a pink segment and purple segment in lieu of red at the bottom of my cane, with the rest of the cane having the same reflective white color.
Related links
- How To Order Custom Colors for Blindness Canes
- High Contrast and Low Vision
- Incorporating Blindness Canes into Halloween Costumes
Solid white cane
When the vast majority of people think of blindness canes in the United States, the white cane comes to mind. Endorsed by the National Federation of the Blind and used by thousands of blind individuals, the typical white cane is made of fiberglass or aluminum, with a rigid design that keeps its shape and a silver metal disk tip. Because of their high degree of sensitivity to terrain changes and extremely lightweight material, the white cane is preferred by many people who identify as “total”, blind, or that otherwise have no usable vision, since they can be more in tune with their surroundings when using these types of canes.
The white canes distributed through the Free White Cane Program are rigid, and the length of the cane is determined based on the user’s height. When not in use, users may lean the cane against their shoulder, place it against a wall or on a hook, or rest it on the floor.
Related links
White (or white and red) identity cane
Visual impairment is a spectrum, not a binary, and may fluctuate or become more apparent when walking in bright environments, low light environments, nighttime, crowds, unfamiliar areas, or in visually complex spaces. In these situations, individuals may use either a white or white and red identity cane, which often features a telescopic design or collapsible design that extends to a full-length cane when needed. These are often more fragile than canes designed for use with specific cane tips for orientation and mobility, and may be used for short distances or in conjunction with other mobility aids such as a human guide, guide dog, or sunflower lanyard.
Identity canes get their name because they “identify” that the person using one has trouble seeing, but the cane tip itself may not provide much feedback for navigating one’s environment. While I have encountered white canes and white/red identity canes, I have found that solid white colors are more common for the telescopic design, which can easily be stored in a backpack or purse.
Related links
- Dealing With Imposter Syndrome: College O&M
- Seven Places I Don’t Take My Blindness Cane
- Disability Accommodations For Fluctuating Eyesight
- How To Be An Effective Human Guide For People With Vision Loss
Red and white striped cane
Different from the white reflective cane with a single colored segment on the bottom, red and white striped cane designs feature alternating red and white segments, striped designs, or other alternating color patterns that can resemble a candy cane or peppermint stick. The red and white striped cane is a recognized symbol of deaf-blindness in several countries and by the World Federation of the Deafblind. In this context, deaf-blindness refers to dual vision loss and hearing loss, though many people do not experience profound or total loss of both senses.
When navigating an unfamiliar environment, some people with both vision loss and hearing loss may prefer to use a striped cane as an identity cane or to communicate their access needs.
Related links
Glow in the dark cane/Green cane
As mentioned earlier in the post, blindness canes get their colors from being wrapped in reflective tape, which is visible at night and in low lighting environments. However, some users may prefer to have a brighter cane that stands out more or that offers additional contrast. In these situations, a specialty glow-in-the-dark or LED cane may be used, which can provide additional visibility in low light areas. Many glowing canes give off a green tinted or white tinted glow, though other color options may be available from specific vendors.
In some countries such as Argentina, a green cane may be used by people with low vision, with the white cane being associated with total blindness or no usable vision. The green cane may be shorter than other white cane designs and be used as an identity cane. Some users may prefer the all-green cane for increased visibility when navigating certain environments.
Related links
- Navigating Campus In The Dark: College O&M
- How To Approach Someone with Low Vision Without Scaring Them
- Lighting And Low Vision
Additional colors for blindness canes and white canes
While white canes or mostly white canes are the most widely available colors of blindness canes for people with visual impairments, there are several other colors that can be customized or available for purchase, including:
- Yellow
- Blue
- Black (which is still wrapped in reflective tape)
- Gold
- Basically any color of the rainbow!
I personally own a solid yellow cane with a colored segment bottom that I would use at college events, because the yellow color “pops” against tables and other areas where I might store my cane, and also looks visually different from the other canes that may be used by other students with visual impairments. Some of my friend who lived in areas where it snows a lot would use yellow canes, black canes, or other vibrant colors as they felt it was more reflective when walking in areas with a lot of snow.
Because there are several studies showing that drivers are more likely to notice white canes, I prefer to use white canes with a fun colored bottom segment over a solid colored “fun” cane while walking outside or in situations where I might encounter a lot of traffic. White cane laws related to traffic and pedestrian safety also specify that a blindness cane should be white or predominantly white with a colored bottom.
Related links
- Walking In The Snow: College O&M
- Walking In The Rain: College O&M
- How I Play In GMU Green Machine/Pep Band With Low Vision
More information on decoding the colors of blindness canes
- White cane colors and blindness cane colors aren’t necessarily associated with someone’s level of usable vision, but certain colors may be preferred by individuals that use color as a visual indicator when navigating their environment. For example, I often look down when stepping off a curb, so having the additional contrast of the colored segment on my cane can provide a visual cue for how high the curb is.
- Interested in learning more about cane travel? I share several resources in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Archives | Veroniiiica
- Most cane handles are made of a black rubber material, similar to a golf club. Cane handles can be made from different materials to provide a more comfortable grip, such as cork, leather, and wood.
- Want to learn more about cane tips? Read Decoding The Tips of Blindness Canes
Published January 12, 2018. Updated May 2025