[Nfb-science] Conference Question

[Chrys Buckley]

I was thinking a similar thing - that it could be good to get there a  
little early and have someone give you the lay of the land. Also once  
you are there, you'll probably get used to the layout fairly quickly.  
Just think of some of the NFB conventions (I'm specifically thinking  
of the one in Detroit in that hotel that was all circular and  
confusing but somehow we all managed to pretty much find our way  
around).

There will also be non-visual landmarks that might be helpful, like  
the smell of the pool, the hum of an ice or soda machine, etc.

And you can always ask for help, which can end up not only leading to  
answers but can also be a way to start talking to people who are  
interested in the same things as you. If it's really crowded you can  
always ask someone if they see an open seat. And your dog will help  
with navigating the crowds.

I know it is hard to not stress when you have worries like this, but I  
usually find that a lot of that pre-emptive worry is really  
unnecessary. Just go and present your poster and have a blast!

Chrys


Quoting David Evans <drevans at bellsouth.net>:

>
> Dear Christine,
>
> Getting yourself a talking compass can help you with finding major  
> directions inside and outside the building.  You can even ask to  
> hotel staff to give you an orientation and even to walk you around  
> to get the lay of the land before the conference starts.  All you  
> need to do is tip the person and alot of your problems are solved.
> You can tie something around your door knob to help you find it  
> easier, but I don't think you will have as much trouble as you  
> think, especially with your guide dog.  Get your dog to smell the  
> door knob of your room and I bet they will find it for you.
> Everyone is a little lost at first and getting there early can let  
> you explore the place without all of the bodies getting in the way.   
> I am sure you will do just fine so don't worry and have fun meeting  
> new people.
>
> David Evans, sNFBF and GD Jack.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christine Szostak" <szostak.1 at osu.edu>
> To: "NFB Science and Engineering Division List" <nfb-science at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2010 3:40 PM
> Subject: [Nfb-science] Conference Question
>
>
>> Dear Colleagues,
>> I would greatly appreciate any thoughts or advice on the following.  
>> I will be attending and presenting a poster at a conference in just  
>> over a month related to my field of science. The conference, as  
>> many such similar conferences go, will be held at a large,  
>> conference-style hotel. One of my concerns with such conferences is  
>> in accurately navigating through the conference halls, rooms...
>>
>> Namely, my  question is specific to total blindness and dealing  
>> with the following while alone at the conference (for reference I  
>> use a guidedog):
>>
>> 1)  Being required to navigate through large and very open spaces  
>> with large crowds/numerous often crowded objects and limited  
>> spatial cues.
>>
>> 2)  Knowing the set-up of and finding seats within a large  
>> conference hall. Relatedly, Finding the location for and setting up  
>> a poster for presentation.
>>
>> 3) Having a limited ability to use cues such as  Braille or raised  
>> letter signs (e.g., they are not available or easy to locate).
>>
>> 4)  Having to deal with  multiple floors in a fairly unfamiliar building.
>>
>> 5)  Wanting to navigate around poster sessions to see specific work  
>> of interest.
>>
>> I was wondering with respect to the above what others on this list  
>> have done to  make conference travel with no vision successful. I  
>> want to be able to focus on the work, not my vision loss. Thanks in  
>> advance.
>> Many thanks,
>> Christine
>> M. Szostak
>> Graduate Student
>> Language Perception Laboratory
>> Department of Psychology, Cognitive Area
>> The Ohio State University
>> Columbus, Ohio
>> szostak.1 at osu.edu
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>
>
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