[NFB-Seniors-Discussion] two responses from Nebraska to my post- NFB Senior Discussion list

[robertleslienewman at gmail.com]

(Here are two travel instructors (One still on the job and one retired;
Chris is retired yet will teach any newbie that comes along)

 

*Good morning: 

 

Jeff is absolutely spot-on here. There is nothing I can really add to what
he has said except this brief illustration which, to me, confirms the truth
of all Jeff has written

When I had the honor of working with Dr. Alan Dodds; from the University of
Nottingham's Blind Mobility Research Unit; he told me about the adventures
of a colleague who demonstrated the Mowat Sensor. This device sounds similar
to the one described here, though it was implanted in a pair of glasses. The
Mowat would tell the wearer whenever there was an object in front of him,
and it would vibrate more or less to Indicate whether it was a large object
or a small one. The Mowat did not always pick up on objects on the ground
but it got everything else, even things that were off to the side like
branches. I believe this unit may also capture those items so it would be a
bit more advanced than the Mowat. 

 

Well Dr. Dodds was observing this colleague walking across campus wearing
the glasses. The man was turning his head continuously from side to side so
he would not miss anything-and in the process it is not surprising that he
completely lost his way while crossing the commons. The head turning caused
great weaving in his walk, so he failed to find the proper sidewalk to take
him to the Mobility Research Unit. He also ran smack into every person he
encountered. until those walking behind others had the sense to move far out
of his way. He also ran into tree branches, missed curbs and connected with
1 fire-hydrant. Inside the Mobility Research Unit things got even worse.
This man kept talking about the wonders of the Mowat and in the meantime he
was crashing into tables, knocking over chairs and finally careening into a
wall. 

 

I would be interested to see how much pro9gress this technology had made in
the past 35 years, but am not at all a believer in computerized or robotic
travel aids of any kind. I believe the mind of a blind person together with
a cane can take that person safely, gracefully and effectively wherever she
wants to travel across this big blue world! Once she is proficient using her
cane and problem solving, she can do the same thing with a Guide dog.   

 

Respectfully, 

Christine

   

From: Nebraska-Senior-Blind <nebraska-senior-blind-bounces at nfbnet.org
<mailto:nebraska-senior-blind-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of
debandjeff--- via Nebraska-Senior-Blind
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 11:31 PM
To: 'Nebraska Senior Blind Info and Discussion List'
<nebraska-senior-blind at nfbnet.org <mailto:nebraska-senior-blind at nfbnet.org>
>
Cc: debandjeff at allophone.com <mailto:debandjeff at allophone.com> 
Subject: Re: [Nebraska-Senior-Blind] New travel aid - what do you think -
FW: [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the
Blind

 

Hi Robert,

 

While I haven't seen the device, nor have I read all of the details, I'm not
certain it has all that much more going for it than devices from twenty,
thirty or even forty years ago. These devices tend to provide information
that tells the user that there is something there, which in some situations
can be helpful; however, in general they do not tell the user what that
object is. An experienced  cane user that contacts an object with the cane
receives both auditory and tactile information that can in many cases be
very quickly identified as the characteristics of a particular object. This
identification can provide important information regarding orientation, such
as the sound of the typical sign pole can tell the blind person that he or
she is too close to the street, and needs to turn away from it. A guide dog
takes the blind handler around obstacles, but due to intelligent
disobedience, can prevent the handler from making a critical error. Even if
such a device could tell the user what an object is, could it do it quickly
enough to allow it to be really useful. Sure, if it could be used to scan an
area, and tell you where specific things are, that could be useful, but I
think there are already some apps out there that can help with that, but I
don't think using them on the fly is a very good idea.

 

There are many other reasons that the cane, or a dog continue to be the
primary choices of blind people for their personal independent travel, but
the most important one is the level of understanding of the environment that
they provide, or the partnership with a dog that help them to have the
confidence to travel independently. I don't see this device, anymore than
those that came before it, as being a better answer, or even all that
particularly useful as an addition To the cane or dog.

 

Yes, we need to keep an open mind with regard to technology, but those that
are attempting to develop these things really need to have blind folks that
know how to travel very much at the center of their efforts. 

 

 

 

Respectfully yours,

Robert Leslie Newman

NFBN Senior Division, President

 

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