should i always have my cane out?

[disney world dreamer]

i'm visually impaired and i'm going solo for the first time.
this will also be the first time to take my cane.
i was trained in how to use the cane but i have never used it in everyday life so taking it to disney world is mostly just for others to recognize my disability.

i intended to keep it in my bag and just use it when i'm somewhere dimly lit.

but now i wonder if i should just have it out all the time so that CM's especially can see that i may need help finding where the line entrances and ride vehicles are instead of having to explain to each CM i encounter at a ride that i need help and them thinking i'm weird lol.

the other thing i'm wondering now is if i keep it out all the time should i still take a bag that is large enough to fit it which would mean a small backpack or should i bring a smaller crossbody bag and just put a clip on the cane so i can fold it up and attach it to the bag when i really don't need it or i'm on a ride?

and yes i do know about DAS but just having that doesn't really show my disability like a cane does.

 

[Gracie09]

If your comfortable asking a cm for assistance and maybe having to explain you have a visual impairment I don't think you need it out all the time.

 

[SteveMouse]

In the OP, you said you were taking the cane, at least in part, to help indicate to others that you have some visual limitations.

That's probably a good idea, especially on crowded park days (not that people will always notice the cane). People bump into each other and just plain don't pay attention to others.

I'd go with the flow, but probably start with the cane out, especially to help avoid collisions.

 

[nikkislaght]

I would use it.. mainly because there are lots of hidden nooks at Disney that could trip you up.. As someone who uses a walking cane. it does help give that first impression to the C/M that you will need some assistance at some point.. and stop some people going off on you.. if you happen to bump into them or they bump into you.. Disney can be difficult enough without a hidden disability to add to the mix..
Hope you have a great time..

 

[asta]

I would try using the cane. Not the same issue, but when I began using a cane for my knee replacement I was amazed at how many people noticed and helped make it easier for me to move about. It made me realize that people generally aren't rude. They just don't think or know that others may need help.

 

[DG24]

I am a little confused, how much functional sight do you have? You say you have been trained but do not use the cane in everyday life, you may be very very frustrated at Disney if you do not use the cane all the time at home. Here are some reasons that a family member who has a cane but usually uses a service dog, but as times uses the cane. You are trained to swing the cane back and forth, most likely people are going to step on, walk over and trip on your cane, because others at Disney are not looking out for your cane, even if you tap it constantly, you would not believe how often some one is going to walk into you. I know most people think the blind would walk into them and it does happen, but at Disney, I can tell you someone is going to cut you off every5 feet, and when they do, the can will be stepped on, or trip them or break your cane. Our family member has done disney alone but never until they got a dog. So if you have enough functional sight not to have to use the cane than it will be a handerance if you do use it. If you only use it in dim areas, again you will probably have a very difficult time with the cane in dark areas if you do not use it all the time. When watching others using a cane on dim rides at Disney, they have a very difficult time, there is usually not something on the ground to follow, like your cane finds a curb and follow it, not at Disney, they will have chains waist high, and this will not help you at all. I am thinking haunted mansion, where once you get out of the elevator it is dark, dim, but there is a heard of people, and there are waist high barriers nothing on the floor to help when using the cane.

I would definately use the DAS, and maybe be able to use an alternative enterance when available, and that way you can take your time. Second, if you wish to keep the cane out but not use the cane, but just hold it so others know you have a problem than that would be the best, but that depends on your functional sight.

 

[disney world dreamer]

I am a little confused, how much functional sight do you have? You say you have been trained but do not use the cane in everyday life, you may be very very frustrated at Disney if you do not use the cane all the time at home. Here are some reasons that a family member who has a cane but usually uses a service dog, but as times uses the cane. You are trained to swing the cane back and forth, most likely people are going to step on, walk over and trip on your cane, because others at Disney are not looking out for your cane, even if you tap it constantly, you would not believe how often some one is going to walk into you. I know most people think the blind would walk into them and it does happen, but at Disney, I can tell you someone is going to cut you off every5 feet, and when they do, the can will be stepped on, or trip them or break your cane. Our family member has done disney alone but never until they got a dog. So if you have enough functional sight not to have to use the cane than it will be a handerance if you do use it. If you only use it in dim areas, again you will probably have a very difficult time with the cane in dark areas if you do not use it all the time. When watching others using a cane on dim rides at Disney, they have a very difficult time, there is usually not something on the ground to follow, like your cane finds a curb and follow it, not at Disney, they will have chains waist high, and this will not help you at all. I am thinking haunted mansion, where once you get out of the elevator it is dark, dim, but there is a heard of people, and there are waist high barriers nothing on the floor to help when using the cane.

I would definitely use the DAS, and maybe be able to use an alternative enterance when available, and that way you can take your time. Second, if you wish to keep the cane out but not use the cane, but just hold it so others know you have a problem than that would be the best, but that depends on your functional sight.

i was born visually impaired so i have not known disney world any other way.
i am blind in my left eye and have poor vision in my right eye with terrible night vision which does adapt but only after a good 15 minutes or so.
i never used GAC and have not used DAS either and i have never really felt the need.
besides the alternate entrances are now the FP+ line which will do me more harm than good since it gives my eyes no time to adjust to the darkness.
i already planned on not going on haunted mansion specifically due to the dark areas that are very open.
for other dark lines and dimly lit areas at night i'm taking a flashlight which i already had approved by guest services.
and i realize there are chains in many lines but with chains also come poles that they are attached to so i can still use that as a guideline.
i was trained in the tapping motion of the cane but i was told that the diagonal stationary position would probably be best for me since i have sight.
this means the cane will never be that far away from my bdoy so there's much less of a chance of someone running into it.
and i'm well aware of people cutting you off every 5 feet.
if they trip on my cane because they were not paying attention then thats on them in my opinion.
i figure if i get frustrated then i just won't use the cane. its as simple as that.

 

[ttintagel]

If your comfortable asking a cm for assistance and maybe having to explain you have a visual impairment

My experience as a visually impaired adult at WDW is that many CM's either don't understand/respect visual impairment (they think if you can see anything at all, then there's not enough wrong with you to need accommodation), or just have trouble with invisible disabilities in general. When I ask for assistance and explain my impairment, most of the time they just don't care. That's why I'm planning on bring an ID cane on my next trip, to make my invisible disability visible so CM's and other guests will believe it exists and needs accommodation.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I use an ID cane at Disney all the time now. It shows others I have a visual problem. Most of the CM's will be helpful when they see the cane. I also have a blinking red light on the bottom of my cane for night time. This has worked very well for me my last 3 trips and I'm planning to use it on my upcoming trip in April. On my last trip some woman asked me why I was using a white cane? She told me blind people don't ware glasses. I am legally blind not totally blind. I did notice a good thing about using the cane. People would move for me and some explained to their young children why I had the cane and what it was for. I hope this helps you! YES use the cane all the time!