Good Job for No Jab Cane
Sticks have been used as a mobility tool by visually impaired people for centuries however the white cane as internationally recognised today has only been around for close to 100 years, and in its present metal multi sectioned form for several decades. Overtime a number of developers have attempted to figuratively speaking reinvent the wheel with canes featuring vibration alerts, sonar, GPS and a multitude of differently engineered cane ends, some such as the marshmallow tip or roller ball have proved popular whilst for some reason other developments fall by the wayside after the initial hype. So yes, predictably, we have another development to tell you about.
Ambutech have been the internationally leading company when it comes to the production of white canes, with the majority of the U.K.’s supply coming from this particular producer. So we just had to give their latest offering a try.
Styled as the No Jab Cane, on first glance this looks no different from any other Ambutech model.
However, there are a few subtle differences. The first being the handle. On a bog standard cane, this is typically made of a black foam substance. But on the No Jab, in its place is a red leather handle. Only time will tell as to how hard wearing this is, but from an aesthetic point of view, it definitely ticks a box or two.
The second subtle difference and the reasoning behind the term No Jab Cane is the inbuilt shock absorber. Inside the top section of cane is a section of coiled spring. According to statistics put out by Ambutech, this small piece of engineering can stop up to 80% of the knocks and jolts felt when using a cane across uneven surfaces, reaching the arm of the cane user.
So does it work? After several trips out with No Jab Cane in hand, I can verify that it definitely provides a smoother walking experience. Unfortunately, the pavements of Kirklees are not well known for their level surfaces but luckily this gave the perfect environment to put it to the test. I typically use a large roller ball because of the uneven footpaths, however, the No Jab comes supplied with a marshmallow styleen and even with this smaller roller unit the jolts were significantly less.
And whilst it is incredibly smooth, it still gave plenty of tactile feedback where necessary for instance, tactile paving at crossing points. This is definitely a tiny alteration to a popular product that can make a big difference to someone’s mobility. It would also be interesting to see in the long-term if the use of such a product would reduce strain on wrist joints of users. And with a VAT free retail price of around £60, it’s not too far out of anyones financial reach should local council sensory services not be able to supply. Overall, I would give it a big thumbs up, a simple adaption that can make a big difference, but what do you think? Feel free to get in touch with your own views and opinions.
No Jab Cane https://youtube.com/shorts/KEgYhRaq5L0?feature=share