[Blind-Rollers] New power chair has arrived

[Jane Lansaw]

Hi Karen,
I am an orientation and mobility instructor and I don’t put a whole Lotta faith in GPS generally.  If you have a whole range of motion in your hands and fingers, I don’t know why you couldn’t use a GPS that people who walk use. I don’t know if anything especially for a wheelchair user because the only thing a wheelchair user might need that people walking don’t need would be voice control if they don’t have full range of motion in the hands and fingers to swipe around on an iPhone or equivalent.  
That said, my old standbys for people who are able to do it are common sense and a long white cane.  I have been creative with the handles of my cans for people who don’t have full range of motion in their hands to use a cane the way I do.  I have done everything from a bear J shaped pistol grip to actually using a garden hose clamp to fasten the cane to someone’s forearm.  
Maybe some of the members of this list can write and describe do you some of the techniques that they have needed to use in order to continue traveling independently with a cane. I know we have some cool dog users on here but practicing with the cane first would get you ready for a dog to do odds and ends. Schools aren’t doing a lot of training for guide dogs and wheelchair users anymore but a couple of people on the list have mentioned some private trainers who are making the attempt.
Cain travel also prepares you for a dog by helping you with your spatial orientation. This could be important especially if you were walking the last time you use the cane.  
See if these guys can all respond and talk about the variety of ways that they have used a cane and see if these don’t help you more than just one travel teacher throwing things out at random.

Jane Lansaw
NOMC


Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 16, 2020, at 1:00 PM, Karen Rose via Blind-Rollers <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Does anyone know if anyone has come up with GPS guidance technology for power chairs? I am totally blind and wanting to switch to a chair rather than do knee replacements. But would need to have a good GPS guidance system. Anyone know who might be working on that? Karen
> 
> Karen Rose MFT/LPCC www.career-therapy.net
> 
>> On Oct 16, 2020, at 10:52 AM, maureen Pranghofer via Blind-Rollers <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi
>> No I've not heard of that, it would be very helpful especially for people
>> using scooters.
>> Maureen
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Blind-Rollers <blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Becky
>> Frankeberger via Blind-Rollers
>> Sent: Friday, October 16, 2020 10:20 AM
>> To: 'Blind wheelchair users list' <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Becky Frankeberger <b.butterfly at comcast.net>
>> Subject: Re: [Blind-Rollers] New power chair has arrived
>> 
>> Thank you Maureen, Lauren, you all have been so helpful to me.
>> 
>> Have you heard of the study where, as I gather, a device is being created
>> through our imput a device that will call for help if we tip over. A Dr.
>> Rice is doing the work on this project.
>> 
>> 
>> Becky 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Blind-Rollers <blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of maureen
>> Pranghofer via Blind-Rollers
>> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2020 7:46 PM
>> To: 'Blind wheelchair users list' <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: maureensmusic at comcast.net
>> Subject: Re: [Blind-Rollers] New power chair has arrived
>> 
>> Hi
>> I'm so excited for you, to have a comfortable chair is wonderful!
>> Maureen
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Blind-Rollers <blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Becky
>> Frankeberger via Blind-Rollers
>> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2020 2:56 PM
> 
> 
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