[nfbwatlk] Bioptic Telescope

[M J]

Well said, Mary Ellen! 

Mstvi
On Jun 9, 2014, at 10:19 AM, Mary ellen via nfbwatlk <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> There's no question that transportation is a very big challenge, especially
> in areas with no public transit.  If I could drive, I would.  
> 
> I'm assuming, and it may be a big assumption, that the telescopes provide
> sufficient useful vision for people with some eye conditions to make driving
> safe.  I wonder what conditions such telescopes help.  I'm guessing RP in
> the earlier stages where central acuity is still good.  I wonder if they
> help with macular degeneration, too.  
> 
> I talked to someone recently who truly believed the NFB was opposed to the
> use of partial vision.  What an unfortunate misunderstanding of our
> position!  We are opposed to using vision when alternative techniques would
> really work better.  At the moment, driving isn't one of those situations.
> Unlike reading where school districts are willing for children to be
> permanently disadvantaged by not learning Braille, the life and death
> requirements of driving mean that any vision enhancement techniques need to
> work very well.  Low expectations cannot be allowed for drivers.  That's why
> I figure that enhanced eyesight through telescopes, etc. is a genuinely
> effective technique for driving.  That's terrific!
> 
> One heartening sentence in the article was the one that mentioned self
> driving cars as a potential solution for us.  I believe we may have
> difficulty being permitted to be the sole occupant of such vehicles.
> Current law requires a licensed driver to be in charge in case the computer
> technology malfunctions.  Given the state of the technology now, and the
> likelihood that it will take several generations of computers before the
> technology is reliable, the requirement for a licensed driver is quite
> reasonable.  I hope the requirement will disappear as soon as the need for
> it does.  I also hope that the driverless cars will have a user interface
> blind people can operate.  It appears that we're target consumers for this
> new driverless technology and that's a very good thing.  We can thank the
> Blind Driver Challenge for making us a vital part of this conversation.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbwatlk [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of debby
> phillips via nfbwatlk
> Sent: Monday, June 09, 2014 7:33 AM
> To: goldbeckjm at comcast.net; NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List;
> cccnfbw at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Bioptic Telescope
> 
> Well, that's great for him that he can drive and all, but obviously just
> because someone can drive doesn't make them more productive than someone who
> uses a cane or dog and treks to the bus every day.  It just takes less time
> to get to work, that's all.  And sure, I wish I could pop in my car and go
> to the grocery store.  Or dash through the drive-through at Walgreen's to
> pick up my prescriptions.  And I'll even admit that it ticks me off
> sometimes when it takes me twice as long to get somewhere on the bus as
> opposed to driving.  But on the flip side, I met my husband on a bus.  So
> hey, you never know what adventures you'll 
> have as a bus rider.  (Grin).    Debby
> 
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