[Blind-rollers] Totally blind power chair users Blind-rollers Digest, Vol 63, Issue 5

Wed May 15 16:06:51 UTC 2013

Hello Penny,
I am not a wheelchair user but an O&M in Timmins, Ontario, Canada. I have had some experience with instructing a client with a power chair, but not a manual chair. I have found that with a power chair, it is best to also have either an occupational therapist or physio therapist work with you in providing service to the client. Then they can also back you up on safety aspects with regards to how the person utilizes their chair. There was a program from Misericordia Health Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada which instructed people with vision los, and it was very much a multi-disciplinary approach. I would try to have people from the funding authorities come and observe a route that the client is comfortable with. Also, if you refer them to the program in Winnipeg, seeing is believing that people are capable of operating a wheelchair while navigating. There was also a presentation about this where I co-presented with Corie Haslbeck at RehabNet 2007 called Pathways for Independent Travel- Power Mobility for Persons with Vision Loss, Educating about the Possibilities.
If you have more questions feel free to contact me directly at: cynthia.barty at cnib.ca
Hope this helps!

Cynthia Barty- OMS
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Today's Topics:

   1. Totally blind power chair users (Penny Stevenson)

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Message: 1
Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 15:00:55 +1000
From: Penny Stevenson <Penny.Stevenson at visionaustralia.org>
To: "'blind-rollers at nfbnet.org'" <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Blind-rollers] Totally blind power chair users
Message-ID:
        <240E0CBEFB64614AB97EFCA9F39A5082284AC786D0 at VAE2K7CCR.visionaustralia.org>

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Hi there all,
I'm an O&M from Melbourne Australia. I'm working with a totally blind guy (tiny bit of light perception) who is currently in a manual wheelchair.
His goal is to get up to his local shops which is certainly attainable however we have a few little access issues to tackle first.
I'm wanting to hear stories / hints / tips / wheelchair config ideas from those of you who aren't relying much on using your remaining vision to get around.
Basically there aren't a lot of people mobilising independently in wheelchairs with low vision (requiring a long cane for example), let alone someone with no vision. We are having trouble convincing the funding authorities that this client is going to be safe. I have been working with him pushing his manual chair whilst he is learning the cane and he is able to detect obstacles and can describe a route. We are only up to week 3 so have a bit further to go in terms of having this student become as independent as he can using a manual chair. We have a bit more work to do on road crossings for example.
Looking forward to hearing your experiences.
>From Penny Stevenson

Penny Stevenson
Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Vision Australia
346 Macaulay Rd. (Cnr Stubbs St. - Enter via Stubbs St.)
Kensington, VIC, 3031
Direct line: 03  8378 1183
General: 1300 847 466
Fax: 03 8378 1201

www.visionaustralia.org.au<http://www.visionaustralia.org.au>
ABN: 67 108 391 831
ACN: 108 391 831

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End of Blind-rollers Digest, Vol 63, Issue 5
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May is Vision Health Month, and CNIB and Doctors of Optometry Canada are asking you to do one simple thing to protect yourself from vision loss: Book an eye exam with your Doctor of Optometry today. For more information, visit eyesareforlife.ca.

CNIB: Seeing beyond vision loss. Visit www.cnib.ca

Mai est le Mois de la santé visuelle. INCA et les Docteurs en optométrie Canada vous invite donc à faire un geste tout simple qui pourrait vous sauver la vue : prendre dès aujourd’hui rendez-vous avec un docteur en optométrie pour subir un examen oculaire. Pour en savoir plus à ce sujet, visitez desyeuxpourlavie.ca

INCA: Voir au delà de la perte de vision. Consultez www.inca.ca

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