[blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to WalkwithCanes

[Mike Freeman]

I think part of the problem here is that those of us who oppose the WII 
device are not making the reasons for our opposition clear -- at least this 
applies to me. Use of a cane implies active determination of terrain; ups 
and downs and textures tell us quite a bit about what's around us and where 
we are with respect to our surroundings. The WII device would give no such 
information so is, in our view, almost worse than useless, however "fun" the 
device may be. One is certainly practicing a skill when using the device but 
it surely isn't cane travel.

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 12:01 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to 
WalkwithCanes


> Good afternoon everyone,
>
>    Nothing will replace the total immersion experience. Cane travel is 
> very
> hands-on. Playing video games of this kine do nothing to help the blind
> child hone their cane skills and gain the confidence needed to become a 
> good
> cane traveler and to feel good about using the cane. We learned cane use
> that way and appreciate the value of having done so.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "holly miller" <hollym12 at gmail.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 1:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to
> WalkwithCanes
>
>
> Peter,
> It says in the article
>
> "The Wii Cane training program is not meant to replace traditional
> training  methods, but is only a supplement."
> I would be concerned if someone thought it could replace actual real life
> training but I don't think that's what they are suggesting at all.
>
> I'm going to reserve judgement on it until it's actually available.  It
> sounds very interesting but of course well meaning ideas often fall far 
> from
> the mark.  On the other hand, if it is well done it could be a huge help
> especially for newly blind or partial vision kids that are having trouble
> accepting the idea of a cane.  Cane training doesn't need high tech tricks
> to be successful but if there is something that can make O&M training more
> fun & add a coolness factor, why would that be a bad thing?
>
> If this project is successful or not, the research & development going 
> into
> making a game might be a stepping stone to some other assistive technology
> that hasn't even been considered before.
>
> Holly
> aka Hank's mom
>
> On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 11:56 AM, Peter Donahue
> <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>wrote:
>
>> Hello Doreen and everyone,
>>
>>    All of the video games in the World won't replace hands-on cane travel
>> instruction. Please don't fall for this stuff.
>>
>> Peter Donahue
>>
>>
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