Vision Australia orientation and mobility specialist Chris Mennie said there were still trouble spots for people with canes in Ballarat, especially crossing roads. 

“I find at the roundabouts the drivers are really quite aggressive, and some of the roundabouts in Ballarat are some of the most dangerous for pedestrians, particularly those who are visually impaired,” he said. “We want drivers to be aware that when they see someone with a white cane, they’ve got a visual impairment, and hopefully the drivers will just take a bit more care.” 

WATCH reporter Alex Hamer take the white cane challenge:

“If it’s safe to do so, stop and let them go through.” 

Vision Australia staff were out at Stockland Wendouree on Wednesday, giving shoppers a chance to learn how blind and visually impaired people get around. 

International White Cane Day has been running for 50 years, spreading from the United States overseas. 

Mr Mennie said residents should also make things easier for visually impaired people by keeping footpaths clear. 

“They’re walking past your place, they’re walking past my place, if there’s overhanging branches, people won’t be able to see them, and that’s an issue. We’ve got a responsibility to prune back our trees, and not park cars (across the footpath).” 

Mr Mennie said it could be tough for people to find the line between giving someone a hand and unnecessarily bothering them. 

“We want people to be able to travel around safely, confidently and independently, and we want them to do that without being stared at, and without being patronised,” he said. 

Ballarat residents with impaired vision range from those with small amounts of sight, who canes allow to look up and walk more safely, to those who rely completely on a cane or guide dog to stay independent, Mr Mennie said.

alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au