[nfbmi-talk] Voice on the Go generated email

Mon Dec 20 12:10:24 UTC 2010

Hi Fred and LL,

I think that Tanya was discussing some sensor in addition to thelong white 
cane. While I agree with Fred here to a point in that there is no real 
substitute for a cane or dog guide I don't think there are any hard and fast 
rules, so to speak against using other aids in addition.

I, for example given some minor hearing loss would dearly love to have some 
orientation devicess such as GPS which would aid in independence and safe 
travel. As soon as I can get the I-phone on verizon I will do so and I'll 
get some gps apps. And all pretty much know that I do advocate and have for 
mobility accommodations in the built environment from raised character and 
Braille signage to APS to you name it. Still, these things will nevr 
substitute, and are not meant to substitute for tried and true travel 
techniques and devices.

In other words it's not a matter of either/or in my opinion, but a matter of 
both in some circumstances and always based upon choice.

On another topic, but related I sure am beginning to despise the snow as I 
don't have sidewalks nearby and they would be coverred at any rate. It sure 
makes independent travel difficult to say the least.

This is where, if I had my druthers I'd love to be living in a city. But, 
that is not in the cards right now.

Peace to all this holiday season.

Joe
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fred Wurtzel" <f.wurtzel at comcast.net>
To: "'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2010 9:46 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Voice on the Go generated email

> Hi Georgia and Tonya,
>
> Great points Georgia.  I have not seen any electronic travel aid that is
> better than or even equal to a long white cane for travel, especially for
> observing objects or people in one's immediate vicinity.  I highly 
> recommend
> everything Georgia has said.  Regarding canes, the carbon-fiber are 
> lighter
> and very strong, but rather stiff.  I kind of like the hollow fiberglass
> canes, like the free ones for their flexibility.  When I contact a crack 
> in
> the sidewalk or an object the cane gives a little and doesn't poke me as
> much as the carbon fiber cane.  So, in this case, for me, the cheaper
> alternative is most preferable, not often the case.
>
> Warmest Regards,
>
> Fred
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of gkitchen
> Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2010 8:32 PM
> To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Voice on the Go generated email
>
> HI Tonya,
>
> I think you are talking about the  mobility aid that sendero group sells.
> There are other aids as well.
>
> I haven't had much experience with one myself. The lazer canes are heavy 
> if
> they are still produced and  expensive. Lots of women who are small boned 
> do
>
> not have enough  strength to use one. I knew someone who could have
> qualified for one years  ago in Chicago. She was a superb  traveler with a
> regular cane but the laser cane was just to heavy for her to handle. 
> Anyway,
>
> she really didn't need it.
>
> I walk with my husband and Iuse my long cane--the cane is at least up to 
> my
> shoulder or nose depending on the one I have at the time. I find it very
> handy in strange places. It has been my experience that I can find out
> things in the  environment that are difficult to figure out without the
> ccane--if there are trees nearby, chairs, tables, parking lots, driveways
> and all sorts of things that he may not tell me about. He is a  great guy
> but rather quiet. I have to ask when I hit my cane on something  what it 
> is
> if I cannot tell. Do you have a long cane? You can get a free one every 
> six
> months from the  NFB. The phone is 410-659-9314 and the web site is
> www.nfb.org
>
> I used to travel with one of those short canes that come up to the tip of
> your sternam. Well, I could still see a bit back then and I fell a couple 
> of
>
> times with that short folding cane so after that I talked to a blind 
> person
> at convention and got a long cane to my shoulder. It helped a lot and I
> didn't fall like before.
> I was at a Memorial service at the church for a friend's son and I 
> followed
> the crowd into the memorial garden. Well, I had this real long cane and
> after going down steps my cane located this rather deep hole. My  cane is 
> my
>
> eyes and I don't step until I have checked things out with it. The pastor
> said-"That is where Tom (the deceased's ashes) is going. So you see those
> long canes can come in handy. When I was in Kalamazoo, they let me pick 
> out
> the type and length of cane I wanted to use.
> When Ihad my dog guide, I carry a telescoping cane to locate landmarks or
> teafch my dog a new area.  In this latter case, I would drop the harness 
> and
>
> then heel the dog.
> I don't know how others feel but some folks get good at clicking their
> tongue quietly to help them locate different things. I hope to get some
> training in this sometime. At any rate, you would still use a long cane.
>
> Merry Christmas.
>
> Georgia
>
>
> Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tonya Smith" <tonyasmith75 at live.com>
> To: "Blind Cook" <Blind-cooks at nfbnet.org>; "Daniel Alvarez"
> <danalva at dslextreme.com>; "National Talk" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2010 5:13 PM
> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Voice on the Go generated email
>
>
>> Hi, this is Tonya. I got a NFB question to ask all of you. What do all of
>> you guys think of traveling electronics like for example the vibrating
>> aids that you use to either hook on your cane or hook on the hand or I
>> mean, yeah, hold in your hand to let you be aware of moving objects so 
>> you
>
>> don't have to tap the person in front of you or you know stuff like that?
>> I'm just curious. Do those work and where do you find them because maybe
>> some time cautious about doing that, maybe that will help so that way 
>> when
>
>> I'm walking with Greg or somebody, he won't have to keep me so far back
>> you know? So you know, I just want to know what you guys think so you 
>> know
>
>> that way, because he's more cautious than I am and Gretchen, I'm not
>> complaining, I'm just trying to make it better. So anyway, let me know
>> what you guys think.
>>
>> Tonya Smith sent you this voice-to-text generated email using Voice on 
>> the
>
>> Go.
>> To listen, click on the voice message link or open the attachment.
>>
> http://vemail2.whitelabelapp.net:8080/enterprise/Recordings/R1292792801848.w
> av
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ----
>
>
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