[NFB-Seniors-Discussion] Jeff reply to Judy - FW: Jeff A question - RE: Another guy wrote - RE: Yes, RE: New travel aid - what do you think - FW: [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind

Thu Apr 18 11:03:05 UTC 2024

Judy and Others

Jeff gives a step by step set of situational lodgic for complex crossings with signals: 

From: debandjeff at allophone.com <debandjeff at allophone.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 10:09 PM
To: robertleslienewman at gmail.com; 'NFB Seniors Division Discussion List' <nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org>
Subject: RE: Jeff A question - RE: [NFB-Seniors-Discussion] Another guy wrote - RE: Yes, RE: New travel aid - what do you think - FW: [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind

Hello Judy,

First of all, I can’t be there to work with you directly, so please remember these are only suggestions, and you will need to draw on your own experience and judgement to make sure these things will work for you.

Back when I was first learning to travel, lights were simple, and predictable, and we were taught to start a crossing the moment we heard the parallel traffic start to go. It is not that simple any more. What I have found that tends to work reasonably well is first observing the traffic pattern, to determine whether there is staged light control, that is where turning traffic goes first, and this may take several cycles. You may not think this is necessary with a familiar intersection, but the thing is, these systems get updated, and the new computer controlled lights can be adjusted with a change of software, and some even change during the course of the day, based on traffic flow. 

If you observe that there is a turning stage to the light, then I suggest that you wait to the count of three before you start your crossing, so you can observe whether all of the traffic is moving, or only the traffic that is turning. If you hear the main surge of the traffic, and the majority of it is going straight, then you should be good to go. This also still means that most cars will still be moving slow enough that if they turn in on you, they can stop.

Then if there is a pedestrian push button, it is important to understand how to insure yourself a walk signal. Don’t push the button when you first arrive at the intersection, but wait for the perpendicular traffic to start going. In almost all situations, this will result in a walk signal the next time the parallel traffic starts to move. If you push it while the parallel traffic is going, you may get what is called a, “Mother may I,” in other words, you may get a walk signal right then, and you won’t get one on the next cycle. Also, if you push the button when the perpendicular traffic is already flowing, if it is late enough in the cycle, you may not get a walk signal when the parallel traffic starts out. 

Now, regarding right turn on red. If parallel traffic is on your left, remember to listen for the full serge of parallel traffic to go before you step out. If parallel traffic is on your right, then you have to listen for how close the car to your left is to the edge of the corner, and judge if that driver may be looking for the opportunity to turn. That driver, just like at a stop-sign intersection, is looking for a break in the parallel traffic to pull out. In exactly the same way, listen for a car in the near lane to be approaching the intersection at a steady speed, and start your crossing just before it reaches the far side of the intersection, and so it will block the car to your left from moving. I know this is a lot to think about, but if you take a bit of time, when you don’t have to be in a hurry, and just stand there and listen to the traffic, and practice making the decision as to when you would cross, you will be able to figure it out. If you want a friend to be there with you, that is also familiar with non-visual street crossings, that may make it easier for you, since the two of you can discuss the situation each time, and perhaps help each other to better understand how to do it.

I hope this has helped, and you are welcome to follow-up with me if you have additional questions. Again, I’m not there to work with you, and so please be careful, and use your own best judgement if you choose to put these suggestions to work for you.

Jeff Altman

From: robertleslienewman at gmail.com <mailto:robertleslienewman at gmail.com>  <robertleslienewman at gmail.com <mailto:robertleslienewman at gmail.com> > 
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 8:51 AM
To: 'NFB Seniors Division Discussion List' <nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: debandjeff at allophone.com <mailto:debandjeff at allophone.com> 
Subject: Jeff A question - RE: [NFB-Seniors-Discussion] Another guy wrote - RE: Yes, RE: New travel aid - what do you think - FW: [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind

Jeff

I sent your response to the NFB senior discussion list and a friend of mine responded to your post. And she, Judy, has a travel question for you. Do take a read and get back to her, 

Please and thank you.

RLN 

From: NFB-Seniors-Discussion <nfb-seniors-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-seniors-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Judy Jones via NFB-Seniors-Discussion
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 7:48 AM
To: 'NFB Seniors Division Discussion List' <nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Judy Jones <sonshines59 at gmail.com <mailto:sonshines59 at gmail.com> >
Subject: Re: [NFB-Seniors-Discussion] Another guy wrote - RE: Yes, RE: New travel aid - what do you think - FW: [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind

Amen, very well said.  I have been using either a white cane or guide dog since the mid-sixties and been all over, traveling independently and with confidence, thanks to the early instruction I received.

I do have a question, though, for people, especially Jeff, and this may require a different subject-line.

I find myself, even though a competent traveler, nowadays finding lighted intersections almost impossible to cross, due to all the right-on-reds.  I would love to hear of any newer techniques, if they exist, on dealing with those, plus traveling safely with  quiet cars in the mix.  Oh yes, and the robovehicles.

Fortunately, the state of Washington, where I live, is putting the brakes on instant adoption of those.

Thanks for any information you can give.  I am currently using a white cane.

Judy

“Embrace each day with His mercies and blessings.”

From: NFB-Seniors-Discussion <nfb-seniors-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-seniors-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of RobertLeslie Newman via NFB-Seniors-Discussion
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 4:35 AM
To: 'NFB Seniors Division Discussion List' <nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: robertleslienewman at gmail.com <mailto:robertleslienewman at gmail.com> 
Subject: [NFB-Seniors-Discussion] Another guy wrote - RE: Yes, RE: New travel aid - what do you think - FW: [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind

>From the Nebraska senior list: 

>From Jeff Altman, a travel instructor 

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.

From: NFB-Seniors-Discussion <nfb-seniors-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-seniors-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of RobertLeslie Newman via NFB-Seniors-Discussion
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 6:26 AM
To: 'NFB Seniors Division Discussion List' <nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: robertleslienewman at gmail.com <mailto:robertleslienewman at gmail.com> 
Subject: [NFB-Seniors-Discussion] Yes, need cane too! - RE: New travel aid - what do you think - FW: [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind

Judy

First, I do not like the look of this gadget! If some day it could be…, more discreet in terms what people would see. Like being built in a vest, shirt or jacket. Or have the  component that sends out the beam or signal or whatever it is called, be niniaturized, as in a button size component. A burger size bun is weird looking if that unit is outside your shirt.

From: NFB-Seniors-Discussion <nfb-seniors-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-seniors-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Judy Jones via NFB-Seniors-Discussion
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 7:18 PM
To: 'NFB Seniors Division Discussion List' <nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Judy Jones <sonshines59 at gmail.com <mailto:sonshines59 at gmail.com> >
Subject: Re: [NFB-Seniors-Discussion] New travel aid - what do you think - FW: [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind

Hi,

I can see where one would need to use the white cane with most, if not, all of these high-tech devices.  Sounds interesting.

Judy

“Embrace each day with His mercies and blessings.”

From: NFB-Seniors-Discussion <nfb-seniors-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-seniors-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of RobertLeslie Newman via NFB-Seniors-Discussion
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 5:00 AM
To: NE senior division listserv <nebraska-senior-blind at nfbnet.org <mailto:nebraska-senior-blind at nfbnet.org> >; NFB Seniors Division Discussion List <nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: robertleslienewman at gmail.com <mailto:robertleslienewman at gmail.com> 
Subject: [NFB-Seniors-Discussion] New travel aid - what do you think - FW: [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind

Hi You All

I mostly like what this device can tell you, but…

What do you think?

RLN

From: tech-vi at groups.io <mailto:tech-vi at groups.io>  <tech-vi at groups.io <mailto:tech-vi at groups.io> > On Behalf Of David Goldfield via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 12:54 AM
To: List <tech-vi at groups.io <mailto:tech-vi at groups.io> >
Subject: [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind

Podfeet Podcasts - Thursday, March 21, 2024, 12:13 PM

CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind

Allison interviews Javier De Leon from Strap Tech about Ara, their wearable smart device developed for the blind and visually impaired to move faster and safer in everyday life.

Ara is worn on the chest facing outward and has straps around the waist and over the shoulders to keep it in place. About the size of a hamburger bun, the device contains an array of advanced sensors to detect obstacles in the user’s path as they walk.

Ara provides accurate and timely alerts through haptic vibration patterns felt through the straps. Vibrations felt in the shoulder straps indicate an obstacle above the waist while vibrations in the waist straps indicate an obstacle below the waist. Vibrations in shoulder and waist straps mean a large obstacle, such as a wall, is ahead. When the user feels these vibrations, they turn until the vibration stops and continue their walk to avoid the obstacle.

Although Ara can be used on a stand-alone basis, it also has a mode for seamless integration with traditional mobility aids like white canes, guide dogs, or loved ones. Learning to use Ara is straightforward and intuitive.

Ara has a battery life of one full day and a smart on/off mode which automatically powers down the device if the user remains stationary for an extended period or takes a seat. Upon resuming the walk, Ara automatically powers back up.

Learn more at https://strap.tech/

[embedded content] 

Using a Screen Reader? click here <https://youtu.be/kQFJchFzafg> 

https://www.podfeet.com/blog/2024/03/csun-2024-strap-tech/

David Goldfield,

Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist

If you need help using your assistive technology learn about my training services by visiting

WWW.ScreenReaderTraining.com <http://www.screenreadertraining.com/> 

Am Yisrael Chai

The Nation of Israel Lives!

JAWS Certified, 2022 <https://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Certification/> 

NVDA Certified Expert <https://certification.nvaccess.org/> 

Subscribe to the Tech-VI announcement list to receive news, events and information regarding the blindness assistive technology field.

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