Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbuna
The risk assessment recommended a shortened length can to reduce the risks of tripping etc.
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Length of white cane depends on two factors:
A) Height of user
B) Walking pace of user
Cane must be long enough to allow finding obstacles when there is still sufficient safety margin to stop. If your natural walking pace is relatively fast cane must be relatively long. I'm 182 cm high and my white cane is 142 cm long. Normal length for my size would be about 137 cm but my walking pace is relatively fast so shorter cane means higher risk of collision.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbuna
An alternative being offered is for an adult to support her 100% whilst in school.
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And what would that mean for her social life? What would you and your friends have thought if there was adult constantly present on whatever you did? (Shenannigans don't count)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbuna
I get the impression the school are doing everything that is 'reasonably practicable' as required under current UK Health and Safety regulations (HASAWA 1974 Regulation 3).
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I don't know your legislation. However it still sounds morally quire problematic considering how unlikely being tripped into white cane is. Its quite lightly built and when someone hits it is usual either thrown away from your hand or broken.
White cane has been part of my daily life for six years now. No-one has ever been tripped by it although five (5) persons have hit it hard enough to destroy it: three by colliding into, two by stepping onto and one by driving over it with bicycle. Instances when it has been thrown away are numerous. Common to all cases is that person who hit my white cane was adult who was "minding their own business" instead of looking forward.