[Electronics-talk] Shoe for the blind

[Dr. Joel Etra]

Yes, Annette, I found the response rather harsh and hasty. We all develop strong loyalties to whatever system works for us but we should be encouraging R&D of new technologies that might become very usefully for someone. 

Dr Joel Etra
Www.etraspeech.com

Sent from my iPad

On Sep 15, 2013, at 8:35 AM, "Annette Carr" <amcarr1 at verizon.net> wrote:

> 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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