National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania

Live The Life You Want

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • About Us
  • Code of Conduct
  • Our Organization
    • Board of Directors
    • Chapters
    • Divisions
    • Programs, Projects, & Committees
    • Conventions and Seminars
    • How to Join
    • Resolutions
  • NFB New Member Information Form
  • Do You Need Help?
  • News & Events
  • NFB-NEWSLINE®
  • BELL (Braille Enrichment for Literacy & Learning) Academy
  • Nationwide Braille Readers Are Leaders (BRAL) Reading Contest
  • Resources
  • Donation Opportunities
    • Online Donations
  • Volunteering Opportunities
  • Free White Cane Program
  • Social Security, SSI, and Medicare Facts
  • Contact Us
  • Join Our Newsletter
You are here: Home / Free White Cane Program

Free White Cane Program

We believe the long white cane is a means to independence. The white cane has proved a useful tool to millions of blind people in navigating their environments with confidence and safety. It is a tool which allows blind people to travel where and when they want, and as such leads to self-sufficiency.

We believe that independence and freedom to travel are so important to the quality of life of blind people that every blind person should have a cane, regardless of ability to pay.

We are giving, free of charge to the user, rigid fiberglass canes. Please see the online application or download the paper application to view available cane sizes.

Request a free white cane!

Visit our online free white cane application form now or complete an accessible PDF application online. Completed applications should be mailed to:

Free White Cane Program
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, MD 21230

Any blind individual in the fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico may request a cane for their personal use. Requests may be made as often as every six months.

For adult first-time cane users, we recommend measuring from your shoulders to the floor. The cane needs to reach a good two steps in front of where you are stepping. The speed of your pace and length of your stride will make a difference. More seasoned cane travelers may wish to have a longer cane, measuring at least chin height.

For children, teens, and young adults who are first-time cane users, we recommend measuring from your chin to the floor. More seasoned cane travelers may wish to have a longer cane, measuring at least nose height.

Shortly after recipients receive a free white cane, they will be contacted by the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania (NFBP) White Cane Committee. They will first receive an email welcoming them and informing the individual that they will be added to the NFBP distribution listing. In that email, the individual will find a link to the Free White Cane YouTube video which discusses basic techniques on how to use their new white cane. About four to five days after that email, they will receive a follow-up phone call. To request a Free White Cane, visit www.nfb.org/free-cane-program or dial 410-659-9314.

News & Upcoming Events

Recordings of the 2019 NFB of Pennsylvania Convention Now Available!

November 5, 2019 By Brian Mackey

You can now listen to the major events of the 2019 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania. To access the links to the … [Read More...]

Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services (BBVS) Position Paper

October 30, 2019 By Brian Mackey

A few months ago, a group of people representing the blindness-related organizations in Pennsylvania, led by Steve Pennington of the Client Assistance … [Read More...]

NFB 4th Annual Blind Womens Empowerment Conference

September 30, 2019 By Brian Mackey

"Sister to Sister, Heart to Heart" THE NFB OF DC PROUDLY PRESENTS OUR 4TH ANNUAL BLIND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE Bringing to you an awesome … [Read More...]

2020 NFBP Scholarship Program

September 30, 2019 By Brian Mackey

The NFB of Pennsylvania is offering two college scholarships for 2020. Each is in the amount of $1000.00. Submission deadline is August 30, 2020. … [Read More...]

Convention Online Registration

August 28, 2019 By Joseph Drenth

You can now register for the 2019 NFB of Pennsylvania Convention. If you register before midnight on September 30, the price of registration is only … [Read More...]

Copyright National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania · Powered by WordPress · Log in