Union unveils smart cane for visually impaired

 The Kenya Union of the Blind has unveiled an advanced smart cane for the visually impaired and blind to enable them to navigate safely in their surroundings.

The smart cane is quite similar to the traditional one but has been technologically enhanced to revolutionize the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals across the country.

In its unique features, the foldable smart cane has an ultrasonic sensor at the handle that can help detect obstacles and vibrate to alert the user of objects on their path.

While commemorating the White Cane Safety Day, the union’s Chief Executive Officer Jackson Agufana highlighted its importance in easing the lives of the blind and partially sighted.

 “The device will greatly assist individuals in navigating not only urban environments where traffic and infrastructure can be hazardous but also in rural areas where accessibility is often limited. The smart cane represents a new era of mobility, helping to eliminate many of the physical barriers that have historically limited the independence of individuals who are blind or partially sighted,” said Agufana.

When in use, the sensor on the cane vibrates to alert the user of any objects within a three-meter radius outdoors and 1.8 meters indoors. 

It adds to the union’s portfolio of smart devices for the visually impaired, including the braille watch and a dot mini, which both help with reading.

The blind and visually impaired have for a long time been using the white cane with the experience from orientation and mobility courses they undergo where they are taught how to stretch the cane outdoors and indoors.

Nicholas Sabwa Gedi, a white cane user shared his personal experience of the advantages of using it noting that it reduces mobility costs.

“White cane is a very important stick because you become self-reliant, you can move anywhere instead of taking someone to help you. People will notice that you are visually impaired and give you away. If you do not use a white cane you will be knocked down,” said Sabwa Gedi.

 Sabwagedi notes that life has become easier for him since “ it has helped me even cross the highway.”

Despite the progress made in the country in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, Agufana noted that the partially impaired still face significant challenges.

“Many public spaces remain inaccessible, and road safety for white cane users is often compromised due to a lack of awareness among motorists and pedestrians. Poor infrastructure, including sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, pose consistent hazards for persons with visual impairments,”Agufana outlined.
 
The union has urged the government to prioritize the development and enforcement of policies that improve accessibility and safety of people with disabilities. 
“We urge the government to play an active role in supporting this campaign by implementing policies that improve the accessibility and affordability of assistive devices. We also call on the private sector, civil society, and the donor community to distribute resources both financial and logistical to ensure that these white canes are available and can reach every corner of the country,” Agufana pledged.

KUB has also launched a transformative campaign aimed at distributing 100,000 white canes to the visually impaired countrywide within the next 1000 days.

The smart cane is available from the union’s office at Sh.7,000 depending on the dollar fluctuation since it is imported from China and Australia. 

In another drive to register visually impaired persons, the union through its “Jisajili Ujulikane ni VIP” has onboarded  60,000 people.

The group is advised to register using the USSD code by dialing *678#  to ensure that they can access services across the country.