Which mobility technique involves using a long cane to detect obstacles?

In the context of mobility techniques for individuals with visual impairments, the option that correctly identifies the use of a long cane to detect obstacles is protective techniques. Protective techniques are specifically designed to safeguard individuals as they navigate their environment, allowing them to identify potential hazards. The long cane serves as an extension of the person's reach, helping them to detect obstacles ahead and effectively navigate around them.

This technique is crucial in ensuring safety while promoting independence for individuals with visual impairments. By using a long cane, a person can tap, sweep, or probe the ground ahead to gather information about their surroundings, which is a fundamental skill in orientation and mobility training. Other techniques, while valuable in their own right, do not primarily emphasize the use of the long cane for obstacle detection in the same way.