[nfb-db] Navigating Large Parking Lots?

[Danielle Burton]

Keri, I suggest taking the longer way around by go around the outside of the parking lots that your not in the middle of it. i can't walk straight across parking lot myself due to not vision and hearing lss. That's what I would do if it were me. Find the edge and trail around. You will eventually find the building and it won't be disorienting. It may not be the way you were taught but it may be the most efficient way. I actually avoid traveling inthe. middle of parking lots for this reason. From I veer into one I can listen to where the traffic is and get out but that's about it. Hope this helps. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 24, 2013, at 12:52 AM, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Everyone:
> 
> As I have said before, I live right across the street from a Dollar
> General which sells everything.
> I had a friend walk with me today so I could map it out.
> The problem is this Dollar General it has a huge huge completely open
> parking lot.
> The way I was taught to navigate parking lots since I can't hear the
> echoes from the buildings was to use mental mapping, my braille
> compass and use cardinal directions to try to keep myself oriented and
> try not to veer.
> The problem is the building is not set straight with the street so
> once I get across the street in order to be exactly straight with the
> building I have to kind of angle myself and such. It's really really
> hard for me to do. I tried to use my compass but that didn't help as
> when I angle I don't face a straight cardinal direction. It's like I
> have to go sort of north-east. It's weird.
> I was wondering how you all handled large parking lots like this when
> you can't hear the echoes.
> Do I just have to just try to angle/turn the best I can, shoot
> straight across and just hope I don't veer, and just assume I'll get
> lost?
> It's very likely I'm going to get lost. When you get lost in a parking
> lot like this, how do you handle it? There didn't seem to be any
> people around that I could ask directions from.
> Are parking lots like this something I should be afraid of?
> I have to get assistance crossing the street anyway, as it is very
> very busy so is it okay to ask the person who helps me across the
> street to also walk with me/help me get to the door because this
> parking lot is so big and open?
> Also, I have an Iphone 5S. Are there any apps I could use (such as
> Blind Square) that could help me with this?
> What about the compass on the Iphone? If I could get myself oriented
> facing the right direction (sort of northeast) would the Iphone
> compass tell me when I am beginning to veer and get off-track?
> I want to be able to go to this dollar store! They even have my
> vanilla-lavender scented trash bags I love!
> Thanks,
> Kerri
> 
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