An older woman with glasses uses a white cane to step off from a footpath and walk down a road in surburban Sydney.B/W photographs of a female using a white caneFile: Skills Training - O&M A white cane provides blind people with early warning of obstacles. Royal Blind Societyroyal blind society of nsw, white cane day

A man uses a long fixed cane to ascend steps to a church.1 B/W photograph of man ascending church stepsMobility - historical Negative number: 8/70103royal blind society of new south wales, white cane day, orientation and mobility

Given its sturdy construction, this cane was primarily used as a support device and demonstrates how initially canes which were painted white, retained their existing colour on the crook. Not everyone could afford to have a smooth cane and on this example you can see and feel where branches were stripped off from the main section. These would have also provided a tactile way to identify one cane from another.Short wooden support cane with rubber tipassistive devices, white cane

Ideal because of it's light weight, metal canes were developed, some with a rubber grip that could slide down the cane and allow the user's hands to hold the cane comfortably. This cane has a noticably small crook which, given it's long length, was presumably not used by the owner to hold it. The tip of the crook and end of the cane are enveloped in plastic protectors.White metal cane with rubber on handle and tipassistive devices, orientation and mobility

This lightweight collapsible cane is in four sections joined to each other by elasticized cord. The top section has the top of the cord attached to a metal rivet.White aluminium cane with elastic insert to allow foldingassistive devices, orientation and mobility

This white cane was included in the 1991 time capsule. It is a Royal brand cane and folds up into 4 sections. An elasticised handle loops around the wrist, when unfolded and in use. When folded, the handle loops around the 4 parts, keeping them folded.4 metal/plastic pieces joined together with an elasticized cordorientation and mobility, assistive devices

Collapsible white cane cylindrical in shape made from metal, plastic and rope. Handle is a red plastic textured moulding. Tip is also red with a red plastic protrusion. Shaft is painted white. Made in 5 sections. Internal rope holds the sections together. 5 metal/plastic pieces joined together with an elasticized cordassistive devices, orientation and mobility

Joan Johnson outside the RBS offices in Enfield, using her white cane to walk along the path.2 B/W photographsJoan Johnson uses the white cane to warn of obstacles in her path. Royal Blind Society 1989white cane day, royal blind society of new south wales, joan johnson

This shorter white cane for a child with detachable, rotating ball tip, is more than just a stick that is used to alert others that they are blind or an early warning signal that a pathway is blocked. A cane actually allows a child who is blind access to four major developmental areas that are impacted the most due to the disability. A cane is a developmental tool that is imperative in neuro-development, sensory development, physical development, social development and emotional development of a child. 3 metal/plastic pieces joined together with an elasticized cordassistive devices, orientation and mobility

Mrs Walker and Mrs Mealing using their white canes as they walk along a sloping footpath.B/W photograph of two women with white canesMobility - historicalroyal blind society of nsw, white cane day, mrs mealing, mrs walker

An elderly man walks with a white cane along the path outside the RBS offices in Enfield, followed by an O&M instructor.B/W photograph of man using a white cane90002 FF/3royal blind society of nsw, white cane day

Rehabilitation teacher Jackie Renton being show how to teach correct use of the white cane by Errol Ingram.B/W photograph of woman using cane with man lifting it slightlyRehabilitation teacher Jackie Renton being show how to teach correct use of the white cane by Errol Ingram. Royal Blind Society.royal blind society of nsw, white cane day, jackie renton, errol ingram

An older gentleman is assisted with using a white cane, by a younger female, in the gardens outside the Alexis Albert Hostel in Sydney.5 B/W photographs of older man using a white caneMobility - historical Alexis Albert hostelwhite cane day, royal blind society of new south wales, alexis albert hostel

A man assists a blindfolded person to use a white cane to descend a staircase. This was (and is) a common activity that blindness agencies undertook with sighted staff, to demonstrate (or to practice how to demonstrate) mobility devices.B/W photograph of blindfolded person using a white caneMobility - historicalroyal blind society of nsw, white cane day

RBS client, Patricia Hodges, uses a white cane to walk up the pathway to the front doors of RBS Enfield office.1 B/W photograph of woman using white cane as she walks up path at EnfieldPatricia Hodges, 22 years, (visually impaired) Royal Blind Society 1989royal blind society of nsw, white cane day, orientation and mobility, patricia hodges

RBS client Kevin Stapleton uses a white cane as he descends church steps, crosses a road and walks along the footpath. Another RBS client, Wally Urgacz, walks behind Kevin as he crosses the road in the Sydney CBD. Wally Urgacz steps off the Bondi Beach bus and up a flight of stone stairs using his Hoover long cane, under the purview of Margaret Rihr.5 x B/W photographs of men using a white caneMobility - historicalroyal blind society of nsw, white cane day, kevin stapleton, wally urgacz, margaret rihr

Paula Haynes assists an RBS client in using a long cane along an external corridor.2 x B/W photographs of woman using white cane with instructorFile: Skills Training - O&M A white cane provides blind people with warning of obstacles. Rehab teacher, Paula Haynes (R) showing how to use the cane. Paula Haynes (r) a rehabilitation teacher with the Royal Blind Society ... giving instructions on how to use a long cane.royal blind society of nsw, white cane day, paula haynes, orientation and mobility

Cane is thick with walking stick handle to support weight as well as be an identification that the person using it is blind or vision impaired. It is white with a red tip on the lower part of the cane, a rubber grip on end and brown plastic handle.4 metal/plastic pieces joined together with an elasticized cordassistive devices, orientation and mobility

This collapsible cane is in four sections joined to each other by braided rubber tubing. Original paper wrapping has instructions on the outside including: 'The top section can easily be identified as it is the thickest of the four and is threaded with an elastic cord for carrying purposes'. An elasticized handle loops around the wrist, when unfolded and in use. When collapsed , the handle loops around the four parts, keeping them folded.4 metal/plastic pieces joined together with an elasticized cordassistive devices, royal national institute for the blind

Renee Williamson was the Business Development Manager for Education at the Vision Australia Information and Library Service. In these images she is posing with a collection of reference books, enjoying a hot chocolate and using a white cane is disembark a tram and walk across train lines.20 digital images of Renee Williamsonvision australia, renee williamson, orientation and mobility, library

Newspaper interview with Neil Maxwell about his white cane and attitudes towards it, and information about White Cane day and what others can do.1 newspaper article cut from a newspapernon-fictionelizabeth maxwell, neil maxwell, white cane day

RBS client Frank Knox navigates his way along Sydney's footpaths with O&M instructor Lori Lerner.B/W photograph of man using a white canePhoto for page No. 11 - 1986 Use this for circle photo's.royal blind society of nsw, white cane day, frank knox, lori lerner

Rehabilitation teacher Lynn Gorrie with RBS employee Rob McQuillan in the stairways of RBS Enfield.B/W photograph of man ascending stairs with white caneRehabilitation teacher Lynn Gorrie showing Rob McQuillan how to use the long cane effectively.royal blind society of nsw, white cane day, lynne gorrie, rob mcquillan

Sir Rupert Hamer, who proclaimed October 15 as White Cane Day for the State of Victoria, holding a white cane and standing between two blind ladies. The one on the right is possibly Mrs Alice McClelland.1 B/W photographwhite cane day, sir rupert hamer

An older man uses a Hoover (long) cane to descend a wooden stairway.B/W photograph of man using white cane on wooden stairway3/68049 Mobility - historicalroyal blind society of nsw, white cane day

Ettore Cipellone with RBS Northern Region Team Leader Bill Casey.B/W photograph of man holding a white cane and using a sighted guideroyal blind society of nsw, white cane day, ettore cipellone, bill casey

RBS client and worker, Michael Simpson, uses his white cane to navigate the balcony at the RBS offices in Enfield.B/W photographMichael Simpsonwhite cane day, royal blind society of new south wales, michael simpson

A young lady and man use white canes to navigate Hyde Park North in Sydney, in front of the Archibald fountain.B/W photograph of two people using canes10/70103 M&O - Historical Mobility - historicalroyal blind society of nsw, white cane day

October 15, 1979 was the very first publicly proclaimed White Cane Day in Victoria. Announced by Premier Hamer, onlookers were invited to learn more about the various societies in Victoria that assisted the blind and vision impaired. Barry Humphries was the guest of honour, and spoke with a small group before venturing out with his own white cane to test out Melbourne’s wet streets. Caravans were set up along Swanston Street to distribute information. The RAAF band played and a square dance exhibition was held by vision impaired dancers in Bourke Street. 13 B/W photographs w/ 20 negatives and 23 col. negativesOn the back of BRIP381.11 is a partially erased pencil description 'Kathy Zwald' and 'Doris Nothling".white cane day, barry humphries, doris nothling, kathy zwald

October 15, 1979 was the very first publicly proclaimed White Cane Day in Victoria. Announced by Premier Hamer, onlookers were invited to learn more about the various societies in Victoria that assisted the blind and vision impaired. Barry Humphries was the guest of honour, and spoke with a small group before venturing out with his own white cane to test out Melbourne’s wet streets. Caravans were set up along Swanston Street to distribute information. The RAAF Central band played and a square dance exhibition by The Lightfooters (a group ofvision impaired dancers) in Bourke Street. 12 B/W photographswhite cane day, raaf central band