title: An experimental study on target recognition using white canes.
abstract: To understand basic tactile perception using white canes, we compared tapping (two times) and pushing (two times) methods using the index finger and using a white cane, with and without accompanying auditory information. Participants were six visually impaired individuals who used a white cane to walk independently in their daily lives. For each of the tapping and pushing and sound or no sound conditions, participants gave magnitude estimates for the hardness of rubber panels. Results indicated that using a white cane produces sensitivity levels equal to using a finger when accompanied by auditory information, and suggested that when using a white cane to estimate the hardness of a target, it is most effective to have two different modalities of tactile and auditory information derived from tapping.
authors.affiliation: School of Human and Social Sciences, Tokyo International University, 2509 Matoba, Kawagoe, Saitama, 350-1198 JAPAN. numokawa@tiu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kiyohiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nunokawa
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002183:Canes; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012682:Sensory Aids; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities