[blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to WalkwithCanes

Tue Jun 8 02:53:24 UTC 2010

Naw; no one is getting killed or beaten! (grin)

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kim Cunningham" <kim at gulfimagesphoto.com>
To: " (for parents of blind children)NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 2:08 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to 
WalkwithCanes

Well said Holly! As parents, we all understand that each child is motivated 
by different methods. I like the social aspect of this game. While other 
kids are talking about playing Guitar Hero and other Wii games, this would 
give our kids the opportunity to be included in the conversation. Like it or 
not, video gaming is very popular and I want my child to have the same 
experiences as their sighted peers. It's important for our kids to feel 
accepted. I think the sighted kids would think this program would be really 
cool!
Kim

--- On Mon, 6/7/10, holly miller <hollym12 at gmail.com> wrote:

From: holly miller <hollym12 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to 
WalkwithCanes
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Date: Monday, June 7, 2010, 2:37 PM

I am curious how you can know that something can not have any possible
benefits before it has been put to use? Yes it's possible it will be a flop
but what harm could there be in investigating new ideas? Neither the
creator or anyone here is suggesting this replaces real life O&M training,
it's simply a potential tool to put in the tool box. Isn't one of
the reoccurring themes here that the best thing for our kids is to make use
of many different strategies and to not limit options?

Are you familiar with the Wii game system? If you aren't, it really is
unique from other video game systems. What I think may make this
a plausible option is that the Wii is designed for the user to be in motion
while playing many of the games. The system reads & reacts to the players
motions, not just pushing of buttons. For instance, if you are playing a
tennis game, you actually swing the controller like a tennis racquet. The
player wouldn't be sitting still, they would actually be walking around the
room. The controller is a long, slim rectangle that can be held similarly
to a proper cane grip. The controller vibrates so it can give tactile
feedback to a simulated obstacle.

Again, this should not in any way be considered a replacement to real world
training, just an interesting supplement to it.

Holly
aka Hank's mom

On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 3:01 PM, Peter Donahue 
<pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>wrote:

> 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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-- 
http://www.raceforindependence.org/goto/Hank
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