Little Long Canes

Joe Cutter

https://youtu.be/CHEd3ZMhK8I

This is a wonderful 18 minute video interview with Joe Cutter, renowned early childhood Orientation and Mobility instructor who pioneered the use of the cane with very young children. He talks about how we have to think about O&M from a child’s point of view.

Joe argues that cane use and blindness should not be seen as a deficit for a child, but rather look at kids as constantly developing and learning – so that using a cane is an addition, not a deficiency. If we view canes this way then kids will also view their canes positively. His motto: “Differences aren’t deficits, just a different normality.”

He has a wonderful way of looking at O&M as a form of play and canes as a type of toy – toys are tools for children and a way to learn and develop. Why should O&M be seen only as work? Kids learn from play and blind kids aren’t any different in that regard!

 

 


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