[Blindtlk] (no subject)

Mon Dec 1 19:16:23 UTC 2014

HI,
  Sorry for the confusion, the question is actually whether people here think it is a truly unwise/unsafe decision to self-train in white cane skills based on my background experience. I have been in many airports and so am not at all concerned about being there (the issue was simply that it is not at all local to get to the airport...).

  One of the reasons I am also not 100% sure that something like what Leader offers is that the program is only 7 days. Thus, I am just wondering how much I can really get out of that short of a program (e.g., it almost seems like it is just too short to be a stand-alone training).
Have a wonderful afternoon and again sorry for the confusion!
Chris
________________________________________
From: Cheryl Echevarria [cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, December 1, 2014 2:09 PM
To: Szostak, Christine; 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: RE: [Blindtlk] (no subject)

Hello Christine:

So what is your question, is about traveling like getting to the airports,
or traveling like in walking down the street.

All things are the same. If you are looking for cane skills, the best ones
are those that are NFB members. Especially those that travel for a long
time.

Going to the airport and getting around the airport is a different animal
all together, please also we have these discussion on the monthly
teleconference calls with the NFB Travel & Tourism Division.

Each Airport is different. We have 3 here on Long Island near me and
depending on where we are traveling to will depend on which one we use.

I also say to those that are either traveling alone or if with others, is to
invest in a good car service or limo service. A good travel professional
either by using one of us in the NFB or by locally.

The other thing is, the TSA Cares program helps at the airports domestically
from Alaska to Puerto Rico and everywhere in between including the US Virgin
Islands

I am in the process of updating our website www.nfbtravel.org and we have
the TSA Care Program listed.

You basically contact the TSA 72 hours prior to traveling. Let them know
that you need assistance traveling through the airport, they will either
meet you are the check in on curb side or the check in at the inside of the
airport.

They will give you the number of the person who will meet you are the
airport date of departure and arrival. They will assist in any way you want
to travel. If it is a big airport like JFK or O'Hare take advantage of the
Golf Carts they use for everyone and not just those that are disabled.

They will also assist you going through security and anything else, you will
need.

We have also had these discussion on the NFB Live site. www.nfblive.org,
where I have been doing twice a month, Q&A on traveling.

Which is on hold until after the holidays.

For those interested in more, NFB Travel & Tourism has a talk list on the
nfbnet.org and announcements on meetings are posted by David Andrews to all
that are registered to the talk lists.

Have a Happy Holiday.

Cheryl Echevarria, President
National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division
A proud division of the
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life you want"
www.nfbtravel.org
631-236-5138
cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

Cheryl Echevarria is also the owner of Echevarria Travel
www.echevarriatravel.com; 631-456-5394 or reservations at echevarriatravel.com
and  has partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com for all her
braille needs.  Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Szostak,
Christine via blindtlk
Sent: Monday, December 1, 2014 1:59 PM
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindtlk] (no subject)

HI All,
  I am new to this list and also have a question.

  First, for those who do not know me, my name is Chris and I am totally
blind. I lost my vision completely as a young  adult (I was born visually
impaired with usable vision in one eye). I lost my vision about 14 years
ago.

  My question relates to traveling.

  I am a long-time guide dog user. I received my first guide when I started
to lose my remaining vision in 1999 and have had continuous dogs since then
with no breaks longer than approximately 1 week between dogs.

  For various reasons, I am seriously considering switching to a white cane
and this is where my question comes in.

  Although trained on the basics (e.g., I know the basic techniques such as
how to move the cane while in general motion, roughly how far to swing it,
how to deal with things like steps...) I have had only very limited use with
it.

  I was considering something like Leader Dogs O/M program since our O/M
services here where I am living are aweful. However, there are some really
frustrating obsticals (e.g., the closest airport for me is around an hour
away and I live alone and do not want to ask someone (family do not live
near me) to drive me that far simply to board a plane).

  I should say that I have had a lot of O/M training throughout my life so
know how to safely cross major streets independently... so can safely
travel.

  Thus, given the above, I have been considering just getting myself
up-to-speed with some help from sighted folks I know without being in a
formal training program. DO others here think this is doable based on what I
have said? I feel like  I could do it, but  would really appreciate advice
from those who are experienced in cane travel as I really would value your
thoughts and opinions. Any advice, suggestions... would be sincerely
appreciated.
Have a wonderful afternoon!
Chris

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