[nabs-l] [stylist] Instead of Cars, Jobs

[Jewel S.]

On the subject of transportation and the alternatives to the dreaded
buses and such...why haven't they developed something much simpler,
like a motorized scooter that has a system for feedback that a cane
provides...I imagine it is difficult to use a cane from a motorized
scooter or wheelchair...what are the alternatives? I know about the K
Sonar...but they say that it is not a replacement but should be used
*with* the white cane...what else is avaialble? Why not create
something like what they are working on for the blind driver challenge
for wheelchairs that points out obstacles and indicates how to avoid
stuff like that? What do you guys think of this? Motorized wheelchairs
and scooters go much slower than cars, and have far fewer dangers
since they are on sidewalks where there aren't high-speeding vehicles
to watch out for...but I think it'd be a great tool. Or what about
those things that people stand on that are motorized, like
min-scooters...you know, like some mall cops use? I forgot what they
are called...anyone remember? We could maybe figure out some way of
making those easier to use by the blind?

I know I for one would be grateful for an easier way to get around
than my own two feet...I have mobility and balance issues and
sometimes struggle a lot walking around town. I'd be soo grateful for
some way of navigating with a a small motorized mobility tool like a
scooter or that thing mall cops use. Ideas? Comments?

~Jewel

On 8/25/10, Sean Whalen <smwhalenpsp at gmail.com> wrote:
> There is absolutely no way that blind people will be driving cars on
> America's roadways within 10 years, or 20 for that matter. I highly doubt
> whether it will even be technically feasible in 10 years, but am absolutely
> certain that such a system will not have gained the requisite widespread
> public acceptance within that time frame.
>
> Having a generation of literate blind children would open more employment
> opportunities than a car operable by the blind. So will the slow, but
> persistent, shifting of public attitudes relative to the capacities of blind
> people. The idea that the existence of a car drivable by blind people will
> all of a sudden create employment opportunities is, in my opinion,
> misguided. I also don't by the idea that seeing a blind person operating a
> vehicle will shift public attitudes significantly. I think people will be
> impressed as hell by the technology, but am not convinced that they will
> view blind people as any more capable.
>
> I'm not saying that it wouldn't be nice to hop in a car and go where I want
> to go when I want to go there, but there are a number of ways the resources
> being poured into this project could be better spent. They have been
> outlined here before, so I won't go into that here. I surely understand that
> there will be advancements in technology made, which will benefit the
> sighted and the blind alike, because of the ambitious undertaking of such a
> project. The work that is being done is impressive, interesting and
> innovative. It just seems to me that, given the fact that we are working
> with limited resources, we could focus them elsewhere with more immediate
> effect.
>
> Sean
>
>
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-- 
~Jewel
Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com