[nabs-l] Using Rolling Bags and Navigating Open Spaces

Thu Jan 14 00:34:14 UTC 2016

I had a neck injury and couldn't carry much, so I tried using a rolling bag.  It is usable in the snow but not easy to roll.  You really have to pull it through the snow, it doesn't really roll.  I am not sure how it would affect your balance.  I don't think it would.  But you'd have to try it out and see.  And yes, it is quite inconvenient to not have an open hand.  When i try to carry food and coffee and a cane and roll the bag behind me, it's not easy to do, but somehow, you just have to work it out.  At least when you get on a bus or open a door, you can let go of the bag for a second as you open the door or step onto the bus and then reach back and grab the bag.  

Anna E Givens

> On Jan 13, 2016, at 9:29 AM, Karl Martin Adam via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Elizabeth, I don't know how the rolling bag will affect your ballance, but or how it will perform in the snow because I've only used them as luggage, but perhaps you might get the type of rolling bag that also works as a backpack so when you need your hands free or have to walk through snow you can put it on your back and then go back to rolling it.  As far as open spaces, the best thing to do I find is to use a compas.  The braille ones are hard to come by these days, but the voice ones or the iphone app can work.  Know what things are on what side of the open space, and then you can keep going north or east or whatever.
> 
> Hope this helps,
> Karl
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Elizabeth Mohnke via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Wed, 13 Jan 2016 11:05:54 -0500
> Subject: [nabs-l] Using Rolling Bags and Navigating Open Spaces
> 
> Hello All,
> 
> I survived my first day of classes after taking some time off to deal with
> some health issues. I am really interested in this class even though I know
> it may be a bit of a challenge for me. However, I have some questions about
> using rolling bags and navigating through large open spaces.
> 
> In my hasty preparations for class, I simply through my essentials for class
> in a tote bag rather than a small bag on wheels. The tote bag was empty
> while the bag on wheels still has some things in it from when I used it over
> the holidays. However, after seeing all the snow we got for the first day of
> classes, I am wondering how easy it might be to use the bag on wheels in the
> snow. Does anyone on the email list have any experience using a bag on
> wheels?  How easy is it to maneuver the bag on wheels through the snow? I
> also have some issues with balance, and I am wondering if using the bag on
> wheels will make it more difficult for me to keep my balance. How will using
> the bag on wheels effect my balance? Since I am using a cane in one hand
> while pulling the bag on wheels with my other hand, this no longer leaves me
> a free hand to grab a hold of something like when stepping on or off the bus
> and opening a door. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for using a bag on
> wheels on a regular basis? I would appreciate any feedback on this issue.
> 
> But I could also use some advice on navigating through large open spaces. My
> college recently renovated one of its buildings, and they decided to use a
> large open floor format that I am having trouble navigating. I had someone
> show me the layout of the new building this past fall, but this was during a
> time where there were not a lot of people in it. Now that there are lots of
> people going in different directions as well as new obstacles like tables
> and chairs that were not there before, I am having a difficult time
> navigating through this large open space. If anyone has any tips or tricks
> on how to navigate through this large open space, I would greatly appreciate
> hearing from you. There are very few if any permeant landmarks in this open
> space. I would avoid this building if I could, but it contains student
> services and the only options for food on campus. I would also avoid the
> large open space area, but you need to go through it in order to get to the
> restrooms and elevator. Again, if you have any suggestions as to how I might
> be able to navigate through this large open space building, I would greatly
> appreciate hearing from you.
> 
> Thanks,
> Elizabeth
> 
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