Table 1 Screening for participants: inclusion and exclusion criteria

- Aged 55 years or over

- Cognitive impairment (a score of less than 4 on the Abbreviated Mental Test 4) [37, 38]

- Low vision

- Language or hearing problems that impede completing an interview by telephone

- Living independently in the community or in a home for older people

- Confinement to bed or possible nursing home admission that impede completion of the O&M-training

- Able to see large obstacles and to go outside for a short walk or doing groceries

- One of the following:

   ▪ experiencing difficulties with safely crossing a street

- Permanent use of a walking aid incompatible with the use of an identification cane

   ▪ experiencing difficulties with recognising acquaintances outdoors

- Having recently received an O&M-training in the use of an identification cane and permanent use of this cane

   ▪ willing to become recognisable as being partially sighted by using the identification cane

- Written informed consent

- Orientation and Mobility training (O&M-training) in the use of an identification cane