[CT-NFB] We Walk Smart cane

[Justin Salisbury]

Good morning, everybody,

I am quite hesitant to try or even encourage trying this device, and I say that as both a cane user and a cane travel instructor myself.

At a very simple level, I think a lot of us can relate to the idea that these canes cost more to produce and to replace than the standard long white cane. If I really want to use GPS, I can do that with my iPhone and then use a regular cane. Canes inevitably break at some point, and I don’t like the idea of having to pay more money to replace a cane after it breaks.

Furthermore, once a person learns how to use a long white cane properly, there is very little missing information that a person would consider getting anywhere else. The only time my cane ever fails to pick up the information I need is when I encounter a low-hanging tree branch, and I have yet to see an electronic cane that could do that consistently without sacrificing other substantive functions of a long white cane.

I think it’s great that people want to invent things to help blind people, but those inventions often stand upon a set of misperceptions about what is possible for blind people.

Some people, especially those who have not had proper training with a long white cane, may argue that this is a substitute for proper training with a long white cane. I am not comfortable with the idea that someone might go out without proper adjustment to blindness training and attempt to use a device like this. The device is going to be distracting and jeopardize the traveler’s safety, while also eroding their confidence because they are bound to struggle.

Happy Presidents Day weekend,

Justin


Justin Mark Hideaki Salisbury
he/him/his

Phone: 808.797.8606
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu<mailto:President at Alumni.ECU.edu>
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-salisbury
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Justin_Salisbury


“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.”

Cesar Chavez



From: CT-NFB <ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Hamit Campos via CT-NFB
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2020 10:08 PM
To: Deb Reed via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Hamit Campos <hamitcampos at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [CT-NFB] We Walk Smart cane


Sounds cool. I'd have to use 1 to really judge. Also the watter proofing thing is a problem too. Not 1 that can't be fixed of course. Is this thing a proto type? Or is this actually shipping. Because maybe some one could meantion this to the person making them. Then perhaps it can be delt with in time.
On 2/14/2020 7:37 AM, Deb Reed via CT-NFB wrote:
Hi everyone,
So smart cane’s have been around but this one has Bluetooth and works with Google maps and other applications allowing us to leave our phones in our pockets. The WeWALK smart cane was born from a visually impaired engineer named Kursat Ceylan. He is also the CEO and co-founder of a non-profit called the Young Guru Academy.
This link will let you listen to a YouTube video, what are your thoughts?

https://youtu.be/q4y2rUv4vAs

Sincerely,
 Deb Reed
Central CT Chapter President
National Federation Of The Blind
Phone - 860-973-3679 Cell-860-378-5370
Email - deb.reed57 at gmail.com<mailto:deb.reed57 at gmail.com>




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