Which mobility aid is the most common for individuals with visual impairments?

The long cane is recognized as the most common mobility aid for individuals with visual impairments due to its effectiveness, affordability, and widespread availability. It serves multiple critical functions: the cane provides sensory feedback about the environment through tactile and auditory cues, helping users detect obstacles, changes in elevation, and surface texture.

Additionally, the long cane is easily portable and does not require special training or maintenance beyond the initial learning process. Many users find it empowering, as it fosters independence and provides a reliable means of navigation in various environments. The familiarity associated with the long cane, due to its long history of use among individuals with visual impairments, contributes to its status as the primary mobility aid.

While electronic travel aids, guide dogs, and smartphone applications offer valuable support, they typically complement rather than replace the long cane, which remains a fundamental tool for mobility and orientation in daily life.