[Blindtlk] (no subject)

Wed Dec 3 05:59:38 UTC 2014

Hi Chris,
Could you maybe describe some of the transferrable skills you're
hoping to learn? From what I've observed about guide dog usage, it
seems that many of the orientation skills for knowing where you are,
and for handling street crossings, overlap a lot between cane and dog
use, but correct me if I am wrong. My sense is that you probably have
a strong enough foundation in basic travel from working your dog that
you could fairly easily transfer those skills to a new tool (a cane)
with minimal intervention. Maybe getting a few quick lessons from
other blind folks in your area (or at a convention if you attend one)
could suffice. Of course, there are also the longer-term programs at
the NFB centers, and you don't necessarily have to attend one for the
full six-nine months, but it is still a commitment. Generally, I find
sighted assistance to be most helpful with learning the layouts of
specific places rather than learning transferrable travel skills. As
far as my transferrable skills, I'd say I've learned the most from
O&M's who use structured discovery, a moderate amount from blind
people who aren't O&M's, and I've learned the least from sighted O&M's
using traditional approaches. The latter group of O&M's tend to focus
mostly on teaching the layouts of specific places--info that is only
relevant in that place and not transferrable to other situations.
While this place-specific info can also be valuable, in my experience
a sighted person who's not an O&M is about as helpful to me as a
sighted O&M. So in other words, I don't personally think that
traditional O&M's have a whole lot to offer beyond what a sighted
person who has a good sense of direction can offer. In short, for
transferrable skills I'd suggest self-training or working with another
blind person if you can't get to a structured discovery center, and if
you need to learn specific routes, then I'd suggest a sighted
relative, friend or reader, or a blind person who knows the area.
Arielle

On 12/2/14, Szostak, Christine via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> A VR case closing is my main issue for why I am not getting my own O/M. so I
> would love an answer to Judy's question as well. Excellent question Judy,
> thanks!
> ________________________________________
> From: blindtlk [blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Danielle Antoine
> via blindtlk [blindtlk at nfbnet.org]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 2, 2014 11:22 PM
> To: Judy Jones; Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] (no subject)
>
> It's my understanding that Leader employs certified mobility
> instructors. I would think it beneficial since they are qualified to
> assess your cane skills and talk with you and possibly work in the
> areas you are concerned about. My question is though who pays for
> this? WHen concidering schools I don't know that I could get
> orientation training around a new campus since my case is closed with
> LRS and I can't afford this myself much less know who to call. The
> contact I once had is now in another state. So how to pgo about paying
> that is my question?
>
>
> On 12/2/14, Judy Jones via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> It seems it would be better to choose a school with a more comprehensive
>> program for a guide dog.  But if Leader Dogs is more into O&M, I don't
>> know
>>
>> that they are, you might benefit from the O&M.  I would also say,
>> however,
>> that if your cane use has been limited, you would have a leg up on
>> everything if you reinforced the cane skills you already have with some
>> more
>>
>> mobility.  As much as I have used a cane and am comfortable with it, I
>> have
>>
>> always benefited from an occasional touch-up from a mobility trainer.
>> Techniques change over the years, mostly for the better.  Many
>> professional
>>
>> sports players get brush-up training, so no reason you can't with the
>> cane
>> travel, too.  Have you checked with your state services?
>>
>> Judy
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Szostak, Christine via blindtlk
>> Sent: Monday, December 1, 2014 12:16 PM
>> To: Cheryl Echevarria ; 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] (no subject)
>>
>> 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
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindtlk mailing list
>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hotmai
>> l.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindtlk mailing list
>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/jtj1%40cableone.net
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindtlk mailing list
>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/singingmywayin%40gmail.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindtlk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/szostak.1%40buckeyemail.osu.edu
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindtlk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40gmail.com
>