With snowy weather hitting many parts of the UK this week, it can be difficult to use a cane. Insight spoke to James Risdon, a music officer at RNIB about how he finds his way around in the snow.
"When it snows there are some benefits if you have some vision. This as it is easier to see bins and cars, as the floor is much lighter and there is more contrast. However, that depends on how much snow you have.
People either use a cane by rolling it along the floor or people use the tapping technique, as the sound is different if you are a near a wall compared to how it sounds in a wide open space. In the snow that sound is deadened so that makes things harder.
One of the biggest difficulties presented by the snow is when is it deep enough to hide the kerb. This means there is a risk of straying out into the road if you can't find the kerb. In these cases you should stick to the shorelines rather than walk down the middle of the pavement so you can stay orientated. You can use the kerb edge if you can feel it.
If you are a cane user experiencing snow, I would suggest that you go slowly, do routes you know and only go out if you think your landmarks are going to be there. Ask yourself, do you think they are going to be accessible?"