Teaching Strategies to Facilitate Exploring Low Objects

by: Aleida Valdez

Exploring Low Objects with Cane

Purpose and RationaleProvide the traveler with maximum protection and information

Enable the traveler a consistent way to detect obstacles.

Promote understanding and provide information regarding the low object being explored.

Promote independent travel in all environments.

Exploring Low Objects with a Cane

Body Concepts Required to Facilitate the Exploration of Low Objects

Must maintain good arm positionMust maintain good arm extension to protect the traveler as he descends to explore the low objectMust maintain good hand positionMust maintain controlled wrist movementMust maintain rhythm and pace while traveling

Teaching Strategies to Facilitate Exploring Low Objects

Encourage the traveler to anchor the cane against the object at the point of contact.

Encourage the traveler to rotate the cane inwardly (towards self) in the hand to bring the cane to a vertical position using a modified pencil grip.

The traveler should be reminded to bring the arm across the body for protection and to maintain the cane vertically to the point of contact.

The traveler slightly raises the cane in the case of very low objects and pushes the grip forward to determine the relative height.

Teaching Strategies to Facilitate Exploring Low Objects

Encourage the traveler to raise the cane off of the floor and move horizontally, while remaining in a vertical position, in order to determine the width of the object.

The traveler may slide the free hand down the cane to explore the object tactually.

Cane Techniques To Locate Dropped Articles

Purpose and RationaleProvides the traveler with maximum protection and informationEnables the traveler a consistent way to locate dropped articles.Promotes the concept of sweeping with the cane to locate the dropped objectEnables the traveler to use their auditory sense to become aware of the general location of the dropped article.Promotes independent travel in all environments.

Cane Techniques To Locate Dropped Articles

Body Concepts Required to Facilitate the Exploration of Low Objects

Must maintain good arm position

Must maintain good arm extension to protect the traveler as he descends to explore the low object

Must maintain good hand position on the cane in order to use a sweeping motion to locate the dropped article.

Must be able track tactually along the cane in order to locate the dropped article.

Must be able to maintain physical posture in order to drop to knees and locate the dropped article.

Teaching Strategies to Locate Dropped Articles

Encourage the traveler to stop and focus auditory attention to the general area where the article was dropped.The traveler should squat straight down and maintain arm extension in order to ensure safety .The traveler should sweep the cane horizontally from left to right and listen until contact with the dropped article is made.Once contact has been established, the traveler should follow along the cane surface until he makes tactual contact with the dropped object.Once object has been located, the traveler should reverse the procedures and ensure safety by standing straight up.

Cane Techniques

Thank you for your attention!

Aleida Valdezaj M.ED.