[nabs-l] What is echolocation?

Wed Dec 5 11:33:39 UTC 2012

Arielle,
Great points.  I agree, if clicking was the norm, the white cane would
attract more attention.  We have a certain paradigm within our culture now
which is more accepting of cane use rather than echolocation.  Paradigms
are something that can always be changed, but sometimes that takes a brave
few to stand out from the crowd for a while during transition.

You're right about Ben Underwood too, before his cancer returned and took
his life he could ride a bike down the road by tracking his position off of
cars parked on the side of the road.  Cars have a very unique sound when
using echolocation due to the fact that they are metal.  He could play
basketball by locating the flat backboard and aiming for it.  He could
navigate pathways by listening to the difference between the grass and
pavement.  He didn't use a cane, and when Daniel Kish worked with him he
showed him some examples of how a cane can act to provide safety when
echolocation fails.  Echolocation is not very good at identifying large
holes in the ground, for instance.

Daniel Kish and everyone at World Access will encourage the combined use of
a cane with echolocation.  A cane is a sure-fire way to ensure safety, but
echolocation offers enormous benefits to seeing beyond the tip of the cane.
 Buildings and trees in the distance, bushes, overhead objects, low hanging
branches, people, cars and many other things can be seen with echolocation
that might be missed with a cane, or a cane might incur damage to objects
like cars or people's shins.

Tim
http://www.HumanEcholocation.com

On Tue, Dec 4, 2012 at 5:50 PM, Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com>wrote:

> Hi all,
> It's true that we can get a lot of good echo information from our
> canes. In fact, my understanding is that Dan Kish advocates using
> echolocation in conjunction with a cane rather than instead of using a
> cane.
> To be fair, there are certain activities, such as bike riding or
> skateboarding, where using a cane is not very helpful and there are
> limits to how much information we can  glean from our canes; i.e. the
> cane can't tell us about overhanging objects. If echolocation would
> allow us to perceive overhanging objects or to ride a bike safely,
> detecting obstacles and keeping oneself oriented without a cane, then
> I  would be all for it. Ben Underwood, a blind teen who was featured
> on several national TV shows talking about echolocation, claimed he
> could ride a bike and maybe even skateboard using echolocation.
> Unfortunately he did not use a cane in conjunction with echolocating
> and I imagine there are some situations where the tactile feedback
> from a cane would still be superior to what we would get by listening.
> As for the social awkwardness of clicking one's tongue, I see your
> point, but if you think about it, is tongue clicking any more or less
> weird than swinging a big stick on the ground in front of you?
> Obviously our canes call attention to us too, and we just have to put
> up with that in order to have the safety and efficiency of travel that
> a cane provides. In a different land where all blind  people got
> around by clicking their tongues, the odd one who used a cane instead
> would be perceived as being strange etc. It's just something to  think
> about. Either way, whether we use a cane, guide dog, echolocation,
> sighted guide or any combination of these, we will look a little
> different. Ultimately the choice of technique should depend on how
> well the technique ensures safe, independent and efficient travel in a
> given situation. (I would still consider travel with a blind or
> sighted guide to be "independent" if you control where you  are going,
> who you are going with, and are aware of what is around you).
> Best,
> Arielle
>
> On 12/4/12, Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net> wrote:
> > Good morning, Joshua,
> >
> > Why must we frame that question in terms of which
> > means of detection is "better?" In some cases the
> > good ol' tongue cclick, is what doc ordered,
> > while in others the metal tip works best for what
> > you happen to be doing. At 04:25 AM 12/4/2012, Joshua Lester wrote:
> >>It does seem wierd and I agree with Darion that
> >>we use it with our canes already.
> >>That's one of the disadvantages of using a guide
> >>dog, because you don't get that information.
> >>I don't want to start an argument on which is
> >>better, but this particular reason is another reason to stick with the
> >> cane.
> >>Blessings, Joshua
> >>________________________________________
> >>From: nabs-l [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on
> >>behalf of Darian Smith [dsmithnfb at gmail.com]
> >>Sent: Monday, December 03, 2012 8:13 PM
> >>To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >>Subject: Re: [nabs-l] What is echolocation?
> >>
> >>Hello List.  Interesting  topic indeed. It  is My understanding that
> >>the blind use Echo location  already.
> >>  here's the thing,  if you are using a cane, and doing so properly,
> >>you are likely using echo location.
> >>  I know that some people like to make a clicking soung with their
> >>tongue in order to achieve this, but I personally find it a bit
> >>awkward  to use in social situations (what you choose to use in the
> >>comfort of your own dwelling is  completely up to you).
> >>   I think you can use echo location with any type of cane, but I find
> >>it better to use a cane  that has a metel tip  much like  the long
> >>white NFB canes or an Iowa cane.
> >>  The nice thing about using a cane is  that you don't need to stop
> >>mid-conversation to "click", rather you can "tap"
> >>  along and have a conversation with your professort, co-worker, or
> >> parent.
> >>
> >>   Thanks,
> >>   Darian
> >>
> >>
> >>On 12/3/12, Tim Johnson <tim.johnson81 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> > Yes, that's the best way to reach him, his email address is:
> >> > Daniel.kish at worldaccessfortheblind.org
> >> >
> >> > He's a very busy many but he is always happy to hear from new people
> >> > interested in echolocation.
> >> >
> >> > Tim
> >> > http://www.HumanEcholocation.com
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Sun, Dec 2, 2012 at 7:38 PM, Ashley Bramlett
> >> > <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> yes, just go to his website; its world access for the blind; his
> email
> >> >> should be there.
> >> >>
> >> >> -----Original Message----- From: Liliya Asadullina
> >> >> Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2012 4:47 PM
> >> >>
> >> >> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >> >> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] What is echolocation?
> >> >>
> >> >> Hello Tim,
> >> >> My name is Lily and I was wondering if there is anyway I could get in
> >> >> touch with Mr. Kish via email or something?
> >> >> Thank you
> >> >>
> >> >> On 11/26/12, Tim Johnson <tim.johnson81 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >>> Maybe that was Daniel Kish?  I've been working with him and some of
> >> >>> his
> >> >>> colleagues at World Access for the Blind on this book.  He has done
> a
> >> >>> great
> >> >>> deal to bring echolocation into the public eye and offers one-on-one
> >> >>> training all over the world.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Tim
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>> On Sun, Nov 25, 2012 at 8:42 AM, Joshua Lester <
> >> >>>
> >> JLester8462 at pccuaedu.**onmicrosoft.com<
> JLester8462 at pccuaedu.onmicrosoft.com>>
> >> >>> wrote:
> >> >>>
> >> >>>  I've heard of you, or someone at least advertising something like
> >> >>> this
> >> >>> in
> >> >>>> an interview on a major news network.
> >> >>>> Blessings, Joshua
> >> >>>> ______________________________**__________
> >> >>>> From: nabs-l [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Tim Johnson
> [
> >> >>>> tim.johnson81 at gmail.com]
> >> >>>> Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2012 7:37 AM
> >> >>>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >> >>>> Subject: [nabs-l] What is echolocation?
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Echolocation is the ability to “SEE” objects using sound instead of
> >> >>>> sight.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Echolocation is a fundamentally simple skill that many blind people
> >> >>>> use
> >> >>>> daily to navigate and understand their environment. This skill is
> >> >>>> sometimes
> >> >>>> misunderstood, but it’s far more realistic and much easier than you
> >> >>>> may
> >> >>>> think.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> A new book, the first of its kind, has recently been published to
> >> >>>> help
> >> >>>> the
> >> >>>> blind community become more familiar with this mode of perception
> >> >>>> and
> >> >>>> to
> >> >>>> help people understand this very intriguing skill.  There is often
> a
> >> >>>> lot
> >> >>>> of
> >> >>>> hesitation within the blind community to open up to attempting
> >> >>>> echolocation, but the author demystifies the growing practice of
> >> >>>> active
> >> >>>> echolocation in a way that anyone can understand, and gives the
> >> >>>> reader
> >> >>>> simple exercises, examples, and lessons as a starting point for
> >> >>>> launching
> >> >>>> you into a successful practice of active echolocation.  The
> >> >>>> Beginner's
> >> >>>> Guide to Echolocation for the Blind and Visually Impaired is now
> >> >>>> available
> >> >>>> in large print paperback, accessible ms word edition and audiobook.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Here's a little bit about how it works:
> >> >>>> Sound waves  like ripples in a pond  reflect differently off of
> >> >>>> all
> >> >>>> objects and surfaces. This makes it possible for the trained ear to
> >> >>>> distinguish shape, size, distance and material of our surroundings.
> >> >>>> Musicians will tell you that “reverb” causes each room or surface
> to
> >> >>>> have
> >> >>>> its own unique sound response. With sensitization and applied
> >> >>>> practice
> >> >>>> of
> >> >>>> this skill, it’s possible for people with visual impairments all
> >> >>>> over
> >> >>>> the
> >> >>>> world to become increasingly independent, supplementing their
> >> >>>> existing
> >> >>>> forms of orientation and mobility with the intrinsic awareness that
> >> >>>> echolocation can provide.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Echolocation requires no special equipment nor any special talent.
> >> >>>> The
> >> >>>> human body and mind are truly marvels of nature that grant us with
> >> >>>> capabilities you may never know you had. If you can hear, you can
> >> >>>> echolocate.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Understanding the simplicity of this skill will allow you to shift
> >> >>>> your
> >> >>>> way
> >> >>>> of thinking to accommodate an expanded awareness of your
> >> >>>> environment.
> >> >>>> With
> >> >>>> this awareness comes independence, confidence, new possibilities
> and
> >> >>>> new
> >> >>>> opportunities.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Read some reviews to hear what other blind people are saying about
> >> >>>> this
> >> >>>> new
> >> >>>> book:
> >> >>>> http://www.humanecholocation.**com/review-from-in-the-center-**
> >> >>>>
> >> of-the-roof/<
> http://www.humanecholocation.com/review-from-in-the-center-of-the-roof/>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Paperback edition:
> >> >>>>
> >> http://www.amazon.com/gp/**product/1478371080/<
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1478371080/>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Accessible edition:
> >> >>>>
> >> http://www.humanecholocation.**com/echolocation-guide-msword-**format/<
> http://www.humanecholocation.com/echolocation-guide-msword-format/>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Audiobook edition:
> >> >>>>
> >> http://www.humanecholocation.**com/audiobook/<
> http://www.humanecholocation.com/audiobook/>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Please let me know if you have any questions about the book.  I
> >> >>>> would
> >> >>>> be
> >> >>>> happy to speak with any of you one-on-one about your hesitations
> >> >>>> about
> >> >>>> learning echolocation.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Thank you,
> >> >>>> Tim Johnson
> >> >>>> www.HumanEcholocation.com
> >> >>>> ______________________________**_________________
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> >> >>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >> >>>>
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> >
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
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> >> >>>>
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> >> >>
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> >
> >> >>
> >> > _______________________________________________
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> >>
> >>
> >>--
> >>Darian Smith
> >>
> >>
> >>Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund
> >>via your phone bill.
> >>
> >>The time is now to eliminate Subminimum Wages for People with
> Disabilities
> >>
> >>http://www.nfb.org/fairwages
> >>
> >>
> >>“We know not of our future, but we know of our past. A past that is
> >>made up of our ancestor’s Dreams, their stories and hopes.
> >>These sights once seen, sounds heard and emotions felt are now our
> >>knowledge. The knowledge that guides us to this very moment…”
> >>
> >>_______________________________________________
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