[blindkid] Walking in a line/cane use

[Richard Holloway]

They are attachment straps-- usually made of  nylon with teeth on one side and a ratchet mechanism on one end. You loop them around something and pull it down tight and it makes a "zip" sound as it goes on. 

Most are not reusable so you have to cut them off to remove them. (Wire cutters work well for that.) They're really strong and generally last for many years.

Richard




On Sep 13, 2010, at 8:17 PM, Merry-Noel Chamberlain wrote:

> What are Zip Strips?
> 
> --- On Mon, 9/13/10, Sally Thomas <seacknit at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> From: Sally Thomas <seacknit at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Walking in a line/cane use
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Date: Monday, September 13, 2010, 6:03 PM
> 
> 
> The O&M instructor at our school used some PVC pipe attached to a desk with zip strips for cane storage.  This seems to stay attached better than Velcro did.  We had trouble with the Velcro coming off and leaving a sticky spot on things.  With all solutions, your mileage may vary.  I thought I'd add this as it has worked for my son.
> 
> Sally Thomas
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carol Castellano" <blindchildren at verizon.net>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2010 10:19 AM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Walking in a line/cane use
> 
> 
>> Hi Laurie,
>> 
>> Here is how I've seen older blind kids and adults walk in line:
>>     * Hold the cane in a "choked up" position so that it is not as extended as usual (adults use the "pencil grip" for this--a 4-yr-old would not have the motor skills yet for that grip)
>>     * Touch the cane lightly to the back of the shoe of the person in front of you in line
>>     * Pay attention to when their foot moves forward
>>     * Pay attention to the sounds of bodies moving and voices moving
>>     * Move forward when the foot and voices move forward
>> This is what you'd be aiming for, so you could start with teaching your daughter the components of these skills. I would not use holding on to someone's shoulder.
>> 
>> For the classroom, in the early grades we stood the cane straight up attached Serena's desk with a piece of velcro or that blue sticky stuff (name escapes me) that you can use to put up posters, etc. (teachers would know!).  It seemed to us that altho she became familiar with each classroom, she still was able to walk more confidently to each place using the cane.  Also was able to get places without needing to touch other kids' desks, etc.
>> 
>> When she was older she would just stash the cane under her desk as she does now as an adult.
>> 
>> Carol
>> 
>> At 10:07 PM 9/10/2010, you wrote:
>>> Hi All,
>>> A couple questions!
>>> #1.  My daughter is almost 4 years old and is in an all day long Headstart
>>> preschool program.  They have to walk in a line to and from classes, cafeteria,
>>> playground, etc.  How exactly do you help your child/student walk in a line.  Is
>>> it appropriate at this age to hold the hand/arm of an aide or teacher or
>>> appropriate to hold the shoulder of a 4 year old student in front of you. These
>>> are the two things they are doing now.  Is this how your children learned or is
>>> there a better way?
>>> 
>>> #2.  Also, in a small classroom, do your students use their canes throughout the
>>> room, or do they hang it at the entrance of the class when they come in.
>>> Thanks for any input you can give me!
>>> Laurie
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
>> Carol Castellano
>> National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
>> 973-377-0976
>> carol_castellano at verizon.net
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