O&M: What’s in a Tip? A Cane Tip that is…
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I recently met with a first-grade student for our second orientation and mobility (O&M) lesson. He had been issued a cane and tip by a previously certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS). At about 20 minutes into our 60-minute lesson, he complained of tiredness. This puzzled me because I have been his teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI) for the past two years, and he is always a ball of energy. I began to ask myself, “Is he tired because we are working after school? Is he tired because he doesn’t like what we are doing? Or is he tired because of the weight of his cane and tip?”
We located a bench and sat down for a break. As we sat, I had him identify the parts of the cane. When he identified the tip, I asked him why he had the large roller ball tip. His response was, “I don’t know.” I asked him if he would try another tip, and he replied enthusiastically, “YES!”
I located two alternative tips: a roller marshmallow tip and a ceramic tip. We continued the lesson with different tips. At the end of the lesson, I asked him if he wanted to change his tip back to the large roller ball. He replied, “No, thanks; may I keep the roller marshmallow tip?” Thanks to this interaction with my student, I decided to share descriptions of various cane tips and their specific uses.
Cane Tips
Pencil Tip
A pencil tip is a thin, straight tip at the end of a white cane. This tip is usually used for two-point touch (tapping the ground) because it can become stuck in the cracks and crevices of a sidewalk or parking lot if it is in constant contact with the ground. Pencil tips are mostly made of plastic and nylon. The cost is about $2.50. The weight of this tip is about 8 grams.
Mushroom/Marshmallow Tip
The marshmallow cane tip, named for its resemblance to a marshmallow, is constructed from nylon and is primarily intended for the two-point touch technique. Due to its rounded end, it tends to become stuck less frequently than a pencil tip. It costs about $2.50. This tip weighs about 17 grams.
Rolling Marshmallow Tip
The rolling marshmallow tip, one of the most common cane tips, resembles a marshmallow and can rotate 360 degrees. Made of heavy-duty molded nylon, it contains a bearing that enables rolling. This tip is versatile across various surfaces and is typically utilized with the constant contact technique. Due to this constant touch with the ground, the person using it gets feedback about every change in the surface. A rolling marshmallow tip is not a very good choice for those who like to receive feedback from the surface by tapping their cane. The cost of this tip is about $10.00. The tip weighs about 39 grams.
Roller Ball Tip
The roller ball tip is almost the largest cane tip measuring two inches in diameter, about the size of a small apple. This tip, made of nylon and featuring an internal bearing, enables left to right rotation akin to a marshmallow tip. It is primarily utilized by individuals in the early stages of cane use or for long-distance walking. Due to its weight, it’s best suited for constant contact techniques. Despite its size, it experiences minimal sticking. The cost of this tip is about $9.00. The tip weighs about 69 grams.
Jumbo Roller Cane Tip
The jumbo roller cane tip resembles a semi-flattened marshmallow and features a disc-shaped design with a built-in protected bearing and a rounded outer edge for left-to-right rolling. It is made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and measures about 2.5” in diameter. Due to its size and weight, individuals typically use it with the constant contact technique. It will do a pretty good job on a hard surface, as well as a pretty good job on short grass. The biggest downfall with this cane tip is the weight. The cost of this tip is about $11.50. The weight of this tip is about 71 grams.
Rover Free Wheeling Cane Tip
Ambutech’s Rover Free Wheeling tip features a soft rubber wheel that rolls forward and backward, designed for rough terrain. Constructed with Santoprene (thermoplastic rubber) and measuring 3” in size, it is intended for use with the constant contact technique. Generally, individuals with a significant amount of usable vision use this tip for off-road hiking and walking. The goal of this tip is to detect large changes in the terrain; it does not do a very job of detecting small changes in the surface. The cost of this tip is about $12.90. The weight of this tip is about 51 grams.
Dakota Disc Tip
The Dakota Disc tip is designed to travel over uneven surfaces such as grass, snow, sand, and pea gravel (playground flooring). It is designed to be used for constant contact. This tip, made from durable plastic, can glide easily over the ground’s surface. The Dakota Disk tip also has a couple of cons—it may miss a small obstacle, such as a rock or small hole in the ground, because it will glide right over the top. It is not designed for constant use on cement, asphalt, concrete, or dirt roads. This tip, available in white or red, is about $10.40. The weight of this tip is about 66 grams.
Ceramic Tip
The ceramic cane tip is half of a sphere with a black rubber ring around the bottom of the half sphere where it connects to the tip’s hook section or slip-on section. This tip provides substantial auditory and tactile feedback to the cane user. This tip is primarily used for two-point touch. It can be used for constant contact. When used for constant contact, it will occasionally get stuck in cracks. This tip costs around $16.00, and it is one of the lighter tips, weighing in at 17 grams.
The metal glide tip is made from metal and is used for the two-point touch technique. This tip will also provide more auditory feedback when it hits the ground. It can be used for constant contact but tends to get stuck. The tip costs around $4.00. It weighs about 19 grams.
Omni-Sense Tip
The Omni-Sense tip is made of two wheels that pivot 360 degrees to move across a range of surfaces. The tip provides auditory feedback and provides feedback on changes of terrain. This tip will cost around $50.00.
Work with your child’s orientation and mobility specialist to ensure the optimal cane tip is used for your child’s needs and preferences.