We are currently working on another project concerning deafblind transport and movement in public spaces, streets and crossings: the red and white cane. This is a white cane with red stripes of 100mm. The deafblind people are using white sticks, which indicates a blind person. But due to the insufficient differentiation, the deafblind people often confront misunderstandings, when for example they do not react to drivers’ appeals at the crossings, and it is even dangerous for the deafblind person. We want to introduce the red and white cane in our society as a tool to improve the safety of deafblind people in order to enrich their independent life and make them visible to drivers and other pedestrians.
We believe that the red and white cane will bring to the deafblind community increased self-confidence and respect from the public. Therefore, we have two main tasks: to achieve one standard red and white cane and to obtain support to associate this cane with deafblindness. In order to achieve this last aim, a campaign will be launched at four levels: local, central and autonomous communities’ governments, and the European Union.