[nabs-l] navigating parking lots/open spaces and other travel questions

Wed Jul 28 16:42:25 UTC 2010

Hi Kerri.

I used to be very scared too of walking in open spaces like parking
lots.  It's hard to figure out where things are because everything is
so spread out.  It might help you and make you feel a little more at
ease to have a sighted friend or family member walk behind you as you
go across the parking lot to the dumpster for the first time.  They
wouldn't have to say anything unless you got lost.  It might make you
feel better to know if you are doing it all right.  It's scarier to
get lost outside because it's harder to find people to ask for help,
and it's so wide open.  I know exactly how you feel.

Good luck.

On 7/28/10, Jewel S. <herekittykat2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> I have a similar circumstance to deal with at my apartments. To get
> out of the parking lot, I have to cross a large parking lot, or go all
> the way around on the sidewalk and walk on the side of the driveway
> when the sidewalk ends.
>
> Can you see well enough to see the white lines in the parking lot?
> These can be a big help. On bright sunny days, I can just make out the
> lines, and as long as I am at the spot where the line ends, I know I'm
> on target to not run into any cars or be in the middle of nowhere.
>
> If you can't see the lines, what other landmarks can you find? Is
> there a center "aisle" in the parking lot, like is often seen in the
> parking lots of stores (a curb and grass)? If so, walking on that
> would be of great help, I'm sure.
>
> Other than that, my best suggestion is to stick to the curb until you
> feel more comfortable crossing the open parking lot. I have only just
> started crossing the open lot myself as I start to get comfortable
> doing so.
>
> As for finding your apartment, are there any landmarks nearby? For
> example, my apartment is the only one with just two steps down to the
> building. The other buildings all have several up or several down
> (this was on purpose...because of my trouble with balance, stairs can
> be dangerous for me). Also, about a hundred feet to the left of my
> building is a turn in the sidewalk ninety degrees. To the right is a
> zig-zag left then right. If I end up at either sidewalks and walk to
> the direction I think my apartment is in, I look for these features in
> the sidewalk to show me where I am.
>
> Additionally, smells can be of great help, good or bad. I know when
> I'm at the dumpster because goodness, does it stink! I know where the
> spot to cross from the middle of the round-about is because there is a
> lovely crepe myrtle in blossom right where I need to cross. This won't
> always be there (the smell, not the tree), but it helps for now, and I
> have other ways to know.
>
> Sounds are also good to use. There are several young Chicano children
> who live in the apartment building next to mine. They play outside
> their building each afternoon, so when I come home, I aim for just
> right of them, and often turn up directly in front of my steps! At the
> round-about outside my apartment complex, I use the crepe myrtle's
> smell, but I also listen for cars coming from Marcom Street. If there
> is one coming, I hear where they are and aim about 10 feet to the left
> of that, often making it directly at the sidewalk or grass to the
> right or left of the sidewalk where I can easily find the sidewalk.
>
> Use all your senses to figure out where you are, where you are going,
> and what you are doing. Find landmarks (or at your apartment, make
> one), and go straight when you can.
>
> When it comes to crossing a driveway, it is better to go too far from
> the open area or road than too far away. So, if you are on the right
> side of the road, veer right if in doubt, and if you're on the left
> side of the street, veer left if in doubt. Because of my balance
> problems, I veer often. My O&M instructor saw this and gave me the tip
> that when in doubt, move away from the road rather than toward it. If
> you're in the driveway, you're safer than if you are in the open
> parking lot or road.
>
> This won't help much with a driveway connecting to a parking lot, but
> when you're crossing a driveway connected to a street, listen to the
> cars on the street. Keep them at an even distance and you'll be going
> straight. If you veer too far away from the road, you'll hear that the
> cars are further away, and if you veer too close, the cars will sound
> way too close. Listen to the cars as you travel, and you'll be able to
> correct your path across a driveway or intersecting street. Also, if
> there is a car waiting on the intersecting street or in the driveway,
> use their placement as a target. If they are too far forward, aim to
> go behind them by a minimum of 10 feet to avoid getting hit if they
> back up suddenly. If you feel they are not too close to the road, go
> in front of them about 5 feet so they can see you.
>
> I noted above that you can make your own landmarks for some places,
> like your apartment. A very simple way to do a last-minute check
> before putting the key in is to put a rubber band around the doorknob.
> I did this when all the doors looked the same tactilely and I kept
> trying to put my key in someone else's door. If your leasing office
> allows it, you can put a large potted plant or other item outside your
> apartment to use as a landmark.  Most companies will allow plants and
> outside furniture.
>
> That's all I have for now. I hope it helped!
>
>
>
> On 7/28/10, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi All!
>>
>> I hve a few more travel questions I wanted to ask.
>>
>> First, what is the best way to navigate parking lots and those
>> driveways in the parking lots you sometimes have to cross? Cars can
>> come in and out of them and there is no landmarks or anything...it's
>> just one big open space.
>>
>> The reason I am asking is because I live in a big apartment complex.
>> To take the trash out, you have to go all the way across the parking
>> lot. For the most part, the parking lot has a curb along it which I
>> can follow with my cane, but there are two places where the curb ends
>> and you have to cross this driveway/street like thing (I don't know
>> what it's exactly called.) Anyway, there are no landmarks and no
>> curb...you have to go straight across it and pick up the curb on the
>> other side.
>>
>> I've been told that cars can come in and out of the driveway things,
>> but I imagine it's not too busy. However, it terrifies me that a car
>> is going to come while I am crossing and hit me. Do I just make sure
>> to listen before crossing and try to cross as fast as I can?
>>
>> Also, veering is a huge problem for me. I know most blind people can
>> not walk in an exact straight line but what is the best way for me to
>> cross this driveway and stay as straight as possible so I can catch
>> the curb on the other side and not get myself lost? I've read that
>> keeping the cane centered like near the middle of the stomach, where
>> the belly button is helps. I've also read that walking fast and trying
>> to keep your feet straight helps. I was taught at convention how to
>> use the two-point touch technique with my palm up, moving only my
>> wrist. Is there anything else I can do? It scares me that I'm going to
>> get really lost when taking the trash out and end up getting in hthe
>> middle of the drive way thingy.
>>
>> Also, because I didn't know the hotel at convention, like everyone
>> else I got very used to getting lost and wandering around and asking
>> assistance to get where I wanted. It made me get over my fear of
>> getting lost in huge buildings. However, I am still very scared about
>> getting lost outdoors. What is the best way to deal with this? Is it
>> the same concept as getting lost inside a building...jjust walk
>> around, and ask assistance when you hear someone coming? I know this
>> will sound very irrational, but I guess in a building you only have so
>> much space, so many floors. Outside, you have the whole world...it
>> never ends...there is no limit! I hope that doesn't sound too dumb.
>> How did you get over fears of getting lost outdoors?
>>
>> I really want to try taking my own trash out independently but I am
>> terrified of veering when crossing that driveway thing, getting hit
>> while crossing, or getting really lost and not being able to find the
>> building my apartment is in. There are like 10 different buildings,
>> and they are building more! There is a pool on one side of the parking
>> lot, the trash thing, and a clubhouse...and you have to cross the
>> parking lot to get to all of them...so it's a huge open area with the
>> various apartment buildings spread out all over.
>>
>> I could have an orientation and mobility instructor come and help me,
>> but there aren't any good ones here and I hate route travel...I know I
>> can do this myself if I can get over these silly fears!
>>
>> And, finally...when you are using your cane and you are in a hallway
>> looking for a certain door or just going along a hallway where there
>> is a wall on either side with doors along it...do you still use the
>> two-point touch technique or do you switch to more of a constant
>> contact technique where you slide the cane from side to side?
>>
>> Thanks so much and hope these questions don't sound too dumb.
>>
>> Kerri
>>
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>
>
> --
> ~Jewel
> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
> Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com
>
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-- 
Julie McG
 Lindbergh High School class of 2009, participating member in Opera
Theater's Artist in Training Program, and proud graduate of Guiding
Eyes for the Blind

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16