[nabs-l] Need Some Encouragement/Some Travel Questions...

[Mariya Vasileva]

Hi Ashley.
I am in the same boat as you are. i went to the Louisiana Center last
summer to do some STEP training, and because of my family being so
uneducated about blindness, I to have not been able to travel on my
own and do all the things that I was taught, however, I will talk to
my mentor and a few federationists to help solve this problem. I do
want to tell you that route travel is a good way to problem solve and
work through situations I agree. I believe that if you get some people
from this wonderful organization to assist you and help you get
through this time you will get back the independence and self
confidence that you have gained from the center, and if you come in
contact with the right people, like Dr. maurer, then we as a whole
organization will get you to where you need to be, I promise you.
Sincerely,
Mariya
P.S. If you need anymore assistance or words of wisdom, you can contact me back.

On 11/26/13, Andrew <andrewjedg at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi I myself  can identify with you a bit. I live in the country with
> no transit or busses or anything like that I  live out in the middle
> of nowhere.  I actually have to count on my family to take me places
> or somebody to drive me places to take me into town and things. I
> find that very frusterating as it keeps me from doing all I really
> would want to do it is not like I can go down a street to a coffee
> shop.  I don't have streets here it is just long gravel roads.
>
>  I  can't really be independent while living in the country.  You
> people in the states are very  lucky to have the big training centers
> Canada does not have that at all.  I been considering moving into a
> big city for these reasons brought out by people on this list.  and so
> I can have a life of my own and things.
>
> On 11/26/13, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> justin,
>> I like to do the same thing. It combines route travel with exploration.
>> Once
>> I know the environment, I'll go a little off course to see what is there.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: justin williams
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 8:03 PM
>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Need Some Encouragement/Some Travel Questions...
>>
>> Once I know an area, I do like to wander around and look at the side
>> trails
>> just in case I get entangled or a little off the path so that I know what
>> happened and how to correct myself if this occurs.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley
>> Bramlett
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 7:47 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Need Some Encouragement/Some Travel Questions...
>>
>> Kerri,
>> I think Cindy had some excellent points.
>> I wanted to add a little more and respond to these questions.
>>
>> Is anybody else on this list also a route traveler or who has to stick
>> primarily to someone showing them where something is first?
>> Does anyone on here have to use a local mobility instructor to show them
>> where things are? If so, what was your experience?
>>
>>
>> My response:
>> I have not been to a nfb center and don't plan to but I might try an out
>> of
>> state center.
>> However, as I have spatial challenges, I anticipate always needing
>> guidance
>> in mapping out routes I'll do over and over, no matter how much training
>> I
>> have. To some extent, I think I will be a route traveler for sake of my
>> sanity and time. Discovering new ways takes more time and I feel that
>> going
>> unfamiliar places outdoors is scary. I mean, you have the whole world out
>> there. Sure I'd go out and stroll around if I had the time and knew it was
>> a
>> fairly safe area. But if I need to get to say, a doctor's office, I'm not
>> going around to figure out what is around it. I'd probably follow a route
>> that someone showed me or gave me directions to. For me, I believe route
>> travel would be the fastest and less nerve racking thing.
>>
>> Sighted people use routes too. They often take the same route to go to
>> work
>> or the same store all the time.
>> So, learning a route to work or a grocery store is fine, nothing wrong
>> with
>> that.
>> I would use a reliable friend or family member, or if that doesn't work
>> I'd
>> ask a mobility instructor.
>> Many instructors  will let you discover more and problem solve. If you
>> intend to do a route over and over, having a mobility instructor assist
>> in
>> orientation is helpful. Do you know how you learn best? If writing down
>> directions helps you remember it, then either you or the instructor can
>> do
>> that. If you learn well with maps, your O&M instructor can make a map of
>> the
>> area.
>>
>> I have used the O&M service from our vr agency, dept for the blind and
>> vision impaired or DBVI.
>> All instructors but one were fine.
>> I mentioned my O&M growing up last email; my instruction growing up was
>> real
>> route based and I was not encouraged to problem solve and did not analyze
>> intersections.
>> However, as an adult, I have had more success. The worst part of O&M was
>> the
>> frequency. I received it a few times per month in my community; they have
>> too many to serve to teach you more consistently.
>> Instruction was more helpful. I feel that instructors were more open to
>> teaching me what I needed and how I learned best. The downside was one of
>> them told me to rely too much on my vision.
>> I was shown techniques to ride our WMATA subway system called the metro.
>> The
>> instructor explained the layouts of different types of stations and gave
>> me
>> a braille guide of stations which shows which line stations are on.
>> She told me to listen for our stop and if I could not hear it, I'd ask
>> someone which stop we were at. She told me that most times color lines
>> alternated, but to be sure of the color, I'd have to ask someone.
>> She had me interact with the public and fellow riders just as I would do
>> alone. I had to take responsibility for finding the right train and
>> getting
>> off it and out of the station. I also learned more about crossing streets
>> including pressing buttons to activate those pedestrian walk signs. She
>> also
>> oriented me to college. There is more, but those are highlights. I was
>> also
>> shown how to use the metro to go to a few internships.
>> If you want more info on this, I can explain.
>>
>> So to answer your questions, yes and yes. I have done mostly routes, and
>> I
>> have used agency O&M instruction.
>> I don't think all problems disappear after training. If O&M is a hard
>> skill
>> for you, it will always be that way. But you can still travel, just may
>> need
>> you use other ways.
>>
>> I also wanted to add something about sighted people. You said sighted
>> people
>> don't have to be shown anything. I believe that is inaccurate. Sighted
>> people use guidance too. Some have better spatial memories than others
>> just
>> as blind people do.
>> Its just not obvious because sighted people see maps which represent
>> miles
>> of space on paper. They also see signs.
>> Sighted people might have a friend show them where building y or x is.
>> They might go out and find it  if they know the general area and then
>> read
>> numbers to locate a specific address.
>> My mom has gone out to find places before she has appointments so she
>> knows
>> where it is in order to find it quickly with time pressure.
>> Sighted people also ask for directions a lot in new environments.
>> So while they may not have as much hands on guidance as us, they
>> certainly
>> use some guidance.
>> Its via maps or verbal directions or computer directions. Also sighted
>> and
>> blind people can use GPS which is almost like someone showing you where
>> building y is because GPS gives you turn by turn directions.
>> Its not like all sighted people know where everything is and just take
>> off
>> and go. No, not at the beginning at least. They have to use tools to help
>> them out too.
>>
>> How is the public transit in your area? II f its bad, I hope you can move
>> soon to be more independent.
>> Meanwhile remember other ways to travel and don't be so hard on yourself.
>> You could use paratransit if that exists. You could use taxis. You might
>> be
>> able to get a driver from a community club to drop you off somewhere like
>> a
>> strip mall while you shop. Check with the lions clubs; then take your
>> driver
>> out to lunch or something as payment.
>>
>> Could you take a taxi to that dollar store you mentioned? I know cabs are
>> expensive, but once in a while you might be able to afford it.
>> It sounds like you feel trapped and I know how that can e. When I was at
>> college, I used the campus shuttle to get to the metro station and from
>> there I went to the mall or nearby restaurants. When I came home, I
>> missed
>> the freedom I had; I cannot walk to a bus stop as it’s a dangerous busy
>> road
>> with no sidewalks. I can use paratransit and taxis though.
>> I think you'll be fine. Just try and get out as much as possible so you
>> can
>> practice your skills.
>> HTH,
>> Ashley
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Kerri Kosten
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 3:26 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: [nabs-l] Need Some Encouragement/Some Travel Questions...
>>
>> Hi Everyone:
>>
>> I hope it's okay for me to post this. I have debated for a long time
>> whether
>> to post about this but I feel like everyone else is allowed to post on
>> topics such as family issues and other things so I figured I'd post my
>> frustrations.
>> I really just want some encouragement, and to know whether I am the only
>> one
>> going through this.
>> I am totally blind, and in addition to my blindness I have severe hearing
>> loss. I can hear sounds and can communicate with people and such, but I
>> can't tell which direction sounds are coming from.
>> Basically, my hearing really affects my travel.
>> Last year, I graduated from the Louisiana Center for The Blind. I really
>> enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed cane travel class. I enjoy using my cane
>> and traveling.
>> Anyway, because of my hearing loss, and the fact I am not that great at
>> mental mapping, I did a lot of routes in training. My instructor told me
>> when I returned home if someone (anyone) showed me where to go around my
>> area I'd be okay.
>> To make a long story short, I returned home and things didn't happen as
>> they
>> were supposed to.
>> I guess I just feel frustrated because I don't feel like I get to use my
>> cane that much. Sure, I can go to the mall, or a game or somewhere
>> indoors
>> and to get directions from people but where I am not getting much
>> practice
>> is outdoors like walking from city block to block and crossing streets.
>> Another thing that frustrates me is when I do finally get someone to show
>> me
>> something I love it because I get to really use my cane and then I have
>> to
>> wait a week or more to be able to go out there again.
>> For example, there is a Dollar General store located across the street
>> from
>> me. The problem is first though that this particular street is extremely
>> busy. I am unable to cross busy streets or lighted intersections without
>> assistance because of my hearing loss. I arranged for someone to help me
>> cross the street. However, I forgot one thing. This dollar general has a
>> huge parking lot that is open and has no landmarks and I can't hear the
>> echos from the building.
>> I had a friend on Saturday walk with me to the dollar General just to try
>> to
>> map it out and see how big the parking lot was. With this friend, I was
>> able
>> to use my braille compass, and work on mental mapping and such just like
>> I
>> was taught in training. Well, my friend can't help me again for another
>> week
>> or so.
>> I just wish I got to work on the things such as using my braille compass,
>> and mental mapping, and really using my cane like I was in training more
>> often. It really brings me down when I get to do this type of thing for a
>> day, and then I can't do it for another week or more.
>> I guess I just wondered am I the only one in this situation?
>> I know on this list nobody else likely has hearing loss but is there
>> anyone
>> else who doesn't get to go out and travel much?
>> Have any of you been to training and then afterwords not really been able
>> to
>> do as much afterwords?
>> Is anybody else on this list also a route traveler or who has to stick
>> primarily to someone showing them where something is first?
>> Does anyone on here have to use a local mobility instructor to show them
>> where things are? If so, what was your experience?
>> As I said, I hope it's okay for me to post this. I usually try not to
>> post
>> rants, or negative threads, but I just feel frustrated/discouraged
>> sometimes
>> because I feel like I am the only one. It seems like everyone else who
>> graduates from NFB centers are able to get right out there and travel
>> completely independently without having to depend on anyone to show them
>> anything. Everyone around here is sighted, and so drives, and I guess
>> sometimes I just feel like I am the only one who struggles with travel. I
>> feel like with sighted people they don't have to be shown anything, or
>> are
>> limited in where they can drive. It seems like everyone else who
>> graduates
>> from NFB centers are able to just use their hearing to travel everywhere.
>> I
>> guess sometimes I just feel frustrated/discouraged because I feel like I
>> am
>> the only one and so wondered if others were also in a similar situation
>> where you struggle with travel or don't get to get out there and use your
>> cane that much.
>> Thanks, and this is the only negative post from me I promise!, Kerri
>>
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