Should the white cane be replaced by a yellow one? A study shall be carried out on the conformity or change of the colour of the cane
The Liepāja society for the blind has agreed with Liepāja University to conduct an informative study in which the issue of conformity or change of colour of the white cane will be assessed. Right now, the mobility aid for blind people - the cane is white, but it's worth the study whether the cane would be better visible in yellow than the current white one when crossing the driveway section of the street.
At Liepāja University, students of the study programme "Design" are working on the study, and the work is coordinated by lecturer Solvita Spirģe-Sēne, who says: 'Students are investigating how white and yellow look visually, how they work, such as in fog or during winter. This is due to the perception of colour in general. I also think that the students involved will have the opportunity to develop this topic further into the Bachelor's work. ”
Māris Ceirulis, Chairman of the Liepāja's society for the blind, says about the necessity of the study: 'For more than 20 years on the streets of Liepāja City, on October 15th, "International White walking stick day" commences where we organize a street event with a white cane, in collaboration with the state Police. Very often we hear comments from drivers: “I didn't see the cane, I didn't notice”. In a twilight weather, in a time of rain, or when bright sun is shining, the white cane can not be seen. The driver is focused on the road and when a blind person stands on the side of the road and signals with the white cane, it often blends in with the environment and the driver overlooks it.'
Experience has shown that yellow is already often used to mark objects, for example, the first and last steps of stairs, lighting poles on streets with reflective tape on 3 levels, doors and walls. For road police officers, too, the vests are yellow and the places where you can't park are marked with yellow paint. As Māris Ceirulis explains: 'Yellow contrasts well with other colours. When we used to put a black route number in Liepāja's buses in the front window on a white background, you couldn't see it when we changed the background to yellow, residents said they could see the route number very well now. A cane in yellow could help ensure mutual safety - for both a blind person crossing the driveway and motorists without risking rapid braking or avoiding collisions. Its main idea is that a person can actually spot the signal and react in time'.
The results of the study should be ready by the end of September and will be presented this year on October 15th, at the "International White walking stick day", for the Liepāja society for the blind, representatives of the mass media, non-governmental organisations, representatives of State Police and CSDD, etc. Then it will also be clear what colour a blind person's aid should be in to best perform its functions - ensuring safe passage on the road for blind people and alerting motorists.
The study carried out would serve as a basis for submitting it, as an important document, to the European Association for the blind. (European Union association for the blind and World Association for the blind (World Blind Union) at Congress.
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The informative study is being carried out within the scope of the project “Palīdzēsim cits citam iedrošinot un praktiski atbalstot” No. 26/2.8.5 financed by the city local government of Liepāja.
Financed by the City of Liepāja municipality
Social inclusion Project of non-governmental organisations
“Palīdzēsim cits citam iedrošinot un praktiski atbalstot”
Nr.26/2.8.5.