"THE CLEVELANDER"

Cleveland Sight Center is your go-to resource for white canes and training to properly and safely use them. The white cane is a valuable navigational device for people who are blind or low vision that provides tactual and auditory feedback, obstacle detection and identification in public if used properly.

When using the white cane for the first time, we highly recommend you receive Orientation and Mobility training from a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist.  In addition to helping you learn how to use a white cane properly, this one-on-one training can help build confidence, safety and ability for people who are visually impaired to travel independently in familiar or unfamiliar areas. Our trainers can also educate you on the different types of canes, tips and sizes that are available.

The sizes are available in 2-inch increments, most commonly between 46-56 inches. We recommend that you measure from the bottom of your foot to your under arm to measure the correct size.

Cleveland Sight Center offers a great selection of white canes and tips. Our newest model, “the Clevelander” is covered by insurance for those who are Medicaid eligible. For more information on purchasing a white cane, click here or call CSC’s Eyedea Shop at 216-791-8118.

-> If you are a medical professional looking to prescribe the white cane to a patient, please click here.

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WHITE CANES TO BE COVERED BY MEDICAID

A rule proposed by the Ohio Department of Medicaid to provide coverage of white canes as durable medical equipment was finalized on December 10, 2018, making Ohio the first state in the country to provide coverage for white canes!

To read the full press release, click here.
 

MEDICAID RULE 5160-10-30

The Medicaid rule 5160-10-30 includes coverage for ambulation aids under durable medical equipment, which previously covered canes, crutches or walkers but excluded coverage of white canes. The rule will take effect January 1, 2019, and individuals should check with local providers on availability of Medicaid eligible white canes.

Please note, for a white cane that is to be used as a mobility aid, the provider maintains documentation that the individual cannot obtain an equivalent cane free of charge (e.g., from a source such as the "Free White Cane Program" administered by the National Federation of the Blind, https://nfb.org/free-cane-program).