[nabs-l] navigating parking lots/open spaces and othertravelquestions

[Ben J. Bloomgren]

If available, I use the traffic that I hear by the entrance or exit of the 
parking lot. For example, the King Supers at Littleton and Broadway has a 
parking lot that you have to cross to get from the road to the store. 
Luckily, Littleton and Broadway are huge roads, so they give ample traffic 
noise that you can follow. If not, see if there's a line of cars. Parking 
spaces are usually in a line on one end, so you'd walk on one side or the 
other. Those are my tips.

Ben
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 1:29 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] navigating parking lots/open spaces and 
othertravelquestions


> Hi Kerri,
>
> Good questions.  I also veer when I can't see the path ahead such as night 
> and I am also scared of getting lost outside.  I know exactly the feeling.
> As Julie said outside  is so wide open and its harder to find people to 
> ask questions and get help.  I think practice will help you feel better. 
> Also you might want to read up on safety precautions.  Generally, walking 
> in an city with other pedestrians is safer.  There is safety in numbers. 
> Is there a friend nearby?  Let someone know you trust where you're going 
> so if you are missing, they know where approximately to find you.  You 
> might want to get a whistle if you feel vulnerable.  Something noisy like 
> that will scare muggers away hopefully.  Also definately carry a cell 
> phone.
>
> I cannot help you with the veering and walking straight across to find the 
> curb and trash area.  Maybe asking someone to help you find landmarks 
> would help.
> Just listen for cars and perhaps take the trash out at a less busy time. 
> Check with the owner of the complex.  But I would imagine middle of the 
> day would be less busy because many residents will have left for work.
> Is there a crosswalk you can feel with your cane or see?  If you have no 
> vision, relying on landmarks and perhaps a raised crosswalk would help.
> I believe in modifying the environment to some extent for us.  Some 
> Federationists don't but I believe implementing such accessible designs 
> helps all of the public.
> Some accessible features might be a tactile crosswalk, making a signal 
> that is audible there so you can cross and have the right of way, or 
> placing a landmark on the other side of the curb for you as an orientation 
> clue.
>
> As for finding the right apartment building, find landmarks.  Is there 
> something distinct about your building vs others?  Sounds?  Maybe smells 
> of flowers?  For finding your door, you could place something by your door 
> or on the door as long as there's no rules against it.  Putting a rubber 
> band or ribbon on the doorknob would help.  A wreath or decoration on the 
> door would work if you can see it from a short distance.  Flowers by the 
> door is another option.
>
> You said
> "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?"
>
> Yes, that is what I've done so far and blind travelers  indicate they ask 
> lots of questions in unfamiliar places.  So far though I'm not employed 
> yet and have not been many places unfamiliar.  I know how you feel; its a 
> scary world and often pedestrians are not given much consideration.
> Outside don't get too near people.  Observe the environment and ask 
> someone you might trust.  Pedestrians gathering at street corners are 
> generally helpful.  Unless you're in a tourist area like DC, pedestrians 
> likely know the area and can ive you good information on what they see 
> around the block or what is nearby.
> Don't ask anyone that is smelly or talking in a bad manner.  I don't want 
> to scare you, but around bus shelters and subway stations I've observed 
> some loud behavior, cursing, and people that could have been on drugs or 
> homeless.
> So yes ask questions, but do so carefully.  Other generally safe places to 
> solicit assistance or information is stores, malls, and eateries.
>
> Finally, your cane question.  When walking in a hall with your cane, 
> where there's doors along the sides, I use constant contact.  Indoors, I 
> don't feel you need the info of tapping the cane and besides you can feel 
> the door openings  if you touch the side of the hall with your cane.  Also 
> I don't like nor need the noise of the cane taps in this environment.
>
> HTH,
> Ashley
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/ben.j.bloomgren%40gmail.com