Final answer:
A person carrying a white cane is visually impaired. This indicates significant vision loss, meaning one should exercise extra caution around them. The cane helps them navigate, but awareness from others is critical.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you come across a pedestrian carrying a white cane, you must use extra caution because that person is visually impaired. A white cane is widely recognized as a tool used by individuals who have significant vision loss or blindness. This indicates that the person may have difficulty seeing vehicles, obstacles, or changes in the terrain, and as such, drivers and other pedestrians should be especially alert and considerate in their vicinity.
It's important to understand the distinction between different types of impairments. According to the World Health Organization, impairment refers to a physical limitation, while disability refers to a social limitation resulting from the impairment.
In the case of a visually impaired individual with a white cane, the impairment is reduced vision, and the disability could be the potential difficulty in navigating public spaces that are not designed with their needs in mind.