[Electronics-talk] Shoe for the blind

[Annette Carr]

You know, Henry Ford was thought to be a nut when he started working on a
motorized buggy.  People said that there was no need for such a thing.  I'm
sure at the time there were many people that did not need a motorized buggy.
They were happy, comfortable and content with their horse drawn wagon, a
bicycle or walking.  Louis Braille's dot system took a while to catch on as
very few people had an expectation that people who were blind needed to read

I agree with you that some people come up with ideas for gadgets, without
having a clear idea about how such a device can or cannot be used by their
targeted audience.  Keep in mind that it was the disabled community that
fought for curb cuts and look at how parents with baby strollers and
delivery people rely on them.  

I agree that a shoe for the blind is not for everyone, but there are other
people that can benefit from it.  Not everyone has hands that can hold a
cane of dog harness.  Maybe the shoe as a mobility device such as it is
currently being designed does not make the grade, it is a starting point.
The fact that the item does not need batteries and gets its power from the
user walking, can lead to other items such as chargers for cell phone, GPS
systems that are used by people who are blind to navigate on foot, or maybe
as a power source for some of the new retina implants being developed.  

We are all entitled to our own opinions and to make choices that are best
for ourselves.

Annette



-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of David Stayer
Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2013 7:35 AM
To: electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Shoe for the blind

I am tired of sighted or misinformed blind people trying to make sensational
gadgets such as Shoes for the Blind. Someone tried this several years ago
with disasterous results. 

----- Original Message -----
From: Ray Foret jr <rforetjr at att.net>
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2013 6:21 am
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Shoe for the blind

>
>
> A clever idea?  Oh my goodness no!  Canes and guide dogs are plenty good
enough for that.  Besides, suppose the blind person is like me and goes
barefooted a lot?  Didn't think of that did they?
> 
> Gee, that's all we need.  Needless to say, I shan't be having anyting to
do with it.
> 
> 
> Sent from my mac, the only computer with full accessibility for the blind
built-in!
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray
> Still a very proud and happy Mac and Iphone user!
> 
> On Sep 15, 2013, at 2:30 AM, "Poppa Bear" <heavens4real at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > I thought this was a pretty clever idea, a shoe for the blind,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Visakhapatnam-lad-desi
gns-shoe-to-guide-the-blind/articleshow/22581597.cms
> > Nate Kile, Cross Road Recording Studios, specializing in Mixing,
Mastering and all your audio needs. www.crossroadrecording.com
> > _______________________________________________
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Each day is a precious gift 
David R. Stayer, LCSWR 

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