[Blind-rollers] Totally blind power chair users

[Treva Olivero]

Hi Penny,
I am a blind power chair user. I have light perception, but I learned
how to use the power chair under sleep shades at the Louisiana Center
for the Blind. I recommend this type of training for anyone who is
learning how to use a long cane and a power chair. I still use my
manual chair, but I'm more successful with my power chair. I make sure
my cane is long enough. I use a 61 inch cane.

Before I received formal training, when I first started looking into
using the power chair with the cane, I went to a company, and they let
me try one of their power chairs. They videotaped me using the chair
indoors with my cane to help justify that a blind person can use a
cane and a power chair successfully. I also had a very good advocate
help to talk to the agency about paying for my power chair. I needed
the chair in order to complete my cane training under sleep shades.
There was a PT who evaluated me using the chair. The PT had positive
attitudes about blind people using power chairs. It's important for
agencies to know that although there aren't too many blind power chair
users, we can be successful.

I recommend starting to use the chair on the slowest speed. That is
what helped me to get used to it. Also, I recommend the person work on
both indoor and outdoor travel.

Often inside, I'll slow my chair to the lowest speed. Sometimes, I
will stop the chair and extend mmy cane all around me to get a feel of
what objects/furniture are in the room around me so that I can avoid
them. Indoor travel is difficult with other blind people because their
canes and feet get under my chair before I can stop it, but I've even
learned how to deal with that aspect. Often, I will stop and let other
people go around me and wait until the area is clear before
continuing. . Usually, when I get to an unfamiliar doorway, I stop and
use my cane to make sure it will be wide enough for my chair and line
the chair up to get inside. Then, there are times, like the NFB
National Conventions where I choose not to take the power chair for
the safety of those around me. :)

Outdoor travel is where my power chair has helped me the most. It
enables me to cross streets more quickly, navigate rough driveways and
sidewalks, and travel up and down hills more safely. I have gotten
stuck outside several times, but I don't let it bother me. One thing
that I have done is figure out how to get myself out during some of
these times. Sometimes, rocking back and forth while pushing the
joystick or pulling it to back up will help. Also, sometimes, I turn
the chair off and back on again, set the chair to the highest speed
and push the joystick to help get out of places where I am stuck.
Other times, I just have people help me. It's important for your
client to know how to set the chair in manual mode so that if he is
stuck, he can describe to others how to put the chair in manual mode
and have them get him out. I haven't had to do the following, but I do
have the local police department nonemergency number programmed into
my cell phone if I ever can't get someone to help. Getting stuck only
usually happens when I go too fast and I'm not paying attention. The
benefits of the power chair far outweigh any of this. It's really all
about having good problem solving skills.

The travel skills that I use are the same ones that serve people
walking with canes. I just have to make the arc long enough to cover
beyond each side of my chair. Therefore, the cane is longer.

Those are the tips that I can think of for now, but I'll post more if
I think of them. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about my
power chair and cane use or the training that I received from the
Louisiana Center for the Blind. The key is that blindness is not a
reason for someone to be told that they can't use a power chair.

Warmest Regards,

Treva

On 5/14/13, Penny Stevenson <Penny.Stevenson at visionaustralia.org> wrote:
> 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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