[nfbwatlk] Another device to help us "see"

Tue Jun 23 19:46:32 UTC 2015

I hear from people who do it that it gives better feedback, especially for
obstacles above the height that a cane can detect.  The sound of the cane
seems to work fine for me. My husband uses clicking when he rides a bike,
which isn't very often these days.  I'm certainly not opposed to clicking on
principle, but it's always felt awkward.  I'm sure that whistling and/or
humming also provides feedback.  

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Arielle
Silverman via nfbwatlk
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 3:43 PM
To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
Cc: Arielle Silverman
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Another device to help us "see"

So, does clicking give any information that a simple cane tap doesn't?
I've never tried it. I will tap my cane extra loud if I am trying to
pinpoint the location of an obstacle I know is in my way but I can't
precisely spot, like a person standing still in the hall, and it works
pretty well. I feel more socially comfortable with tapping my cane than with
clicking.
Arielle

On 6/22/15, Lauren Merryfield via nfbwatlk <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi,
> My first husband was a clicker but people in the NFB made him stop. I 
> was rather embarrassed about the sound because it brought more attention
to him
> than he already elicited. Also I felt uncomfortable   because I had not
> heard anyone else do that and I thought maybe it was a blindism or 
> something.
> Thanks
> Lauren
>
> Blessings in Jesus' name
> Philippians 4:6-7
> "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer 
> and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the 
> peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your 
> hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
> My digital evangelism blog is at:
> W w w . ask in Jesus name . o r g
> My book, in audio format, is at:
> W w w . audible . c o m
> Cats Are Terrifically Superb:
> W w w . catlInes . c o m
> (take the spaces out to go to the above links)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbwatlk [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mary 
> ellen via nfbwatlk
> Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 10:28 AM
> To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
> Cc: Mary ellen
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Another device to help us "see"
>
> I agree that clicking is a very useful means of gathering information.  
> For some unaccountable reason, it's been bandied about that NFB is 
> opposed.  I know there are some individuals who are uncomfortable 
> making clicking sounds because it makes them feel conspicuous.  As if 
> carrying around five feet of carbon fiber doesn't set us apart!  NFB 
> is opposed to some of the sensational press about clicking, 
> particularly when it's implied that there's no need for a cane 
> anymore.  Daniel Kisch, the person whose name is most often associated 
> with clicking, is adamant about the importance of the cane (or the 
> dog) and is as unhappy about some of the sensationalized publicity as 
> we are.  We have enough real areas of disagreement with others in the 
> blindness system without creating fake controversy.
>
> I think the tongue stimulator really will end up belonging on the wall 
> next to the toilet for the blind, though.  How does one speak with a 
> lollypop sized device in one's mouth?  I would think that, after a 
> significant amount of time feeling those sensations, the sense of 
> taste would be interfered with.  I'm not in favor of anything that 
> interferes with the enjoyment of food, though perhaps I wouldn't need 
> to be in the process of losing weight if something had! Grin!
>
> Ariel, you make an extremely good point.  If we could develop a 
> reliable hands free travel aid, I'd ditch my cane in an instant!  I'm 
> proud of all the cane signifies, but I'd appreciate having two arms for
carrying things.
> Twenty years ago someone approached me about the development of an 
> electronic guide dog.  Its purpose would be to avoid obstacles and 
> warn of changes in terrain such as curbs and drop-offs.  I have very 
> sluggish reflexes; that means I walk rather slowly because I need a 
> little extra time to react when my cane gives me information.  One of 
> the things I liked best about working with my guide dog Mozu was that 
> I could pick up the pace.
> The
> part I didn't like was the need to figure out what she was thinking 
> and why she did some of the things she did.  A guide bot would be very 
> stupid and its logic would be easy to follow.  It wouldn't have the 
> lovable characteristics of a dog, so I doubt it would decrease the 
> interest in having dogs as guides.  It would be an interesting alternative
to try.
> Make
> it hands free and I'm applying to be a beta tester!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbwatlk [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Becky 
> Frankeberger via nfbwatlk
> Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 8:19 AM
> To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
> Cc: Becky Frankeberger
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Another device to help us "see"
>
> Don't forget the facial recognition cane. Wall of shame, giggle, I 
> love the idea. But just make sure it is really useless to the blind,
please.
> Something came from the Federation negative about Flash Sonar, aka, 
> tongue clicks. This has been a useful tool for the blind for ages. You 
> try playing basketball with a cane, yet those well versed in Flash 
> Sonar can really play, smile. So make sure the wall of shame has 
> actual useless devices. Say narrow it to electronic or real tangible 
> devices, like the toilet designed for the blind President Maher 
> mentioned at National Convention a zillion years ago.
>
> Becky and her four on the floor Jake
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbwatlk [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mary 
> ellen via nfbwatlk
> Sent: Sunday, June 21, 2015 8:14 PM
> To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
> Cc: Mary ellen
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Another device to help us "see"
>
> I think we should create a "Wall of Shame" where these devices could 
> be displayed.  There's the Sonicguide, the Mowat Sensor, the 
> Stereotoner, and ,oh so many more!
>
> Some devices that originally seemed useless have proven to have some 
> benefits, but the underlying premise that technology can cause our 
> other senses to somehow mimic sight is a flawed concept.
>
> The Sonicguide gave information about surrounding objects, but the 
> info wasn't much better than the echo given back by a cane or a soft 
> tongue click.  In fact, it was worse, because it was so loud and 
> intrusive that it masked the subtle sounds that we use all the time.
>
> I believe scientists who develop these things start with the premise 
> that, without sight, we are totally ignorant of our surroundings and 
> need artificially created and unnecessarily amplified sensory 
> replacement mechanisms.
>
> I don't know what to say to reporters who pass along this stuff 
> uncritically.  How do you tell them that our environmental knowledge 
> is so much richer than they believe?
>
> Good luck, Marci.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbwatlk [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marci 
> Carpenter via nfbwatlk
> Sent: Sunday, June 21, 2015 6:01 PM
> To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
> Cc: Marci Carpenter
> Subject: [nfbwatlk] Another device to help us "see"
>
> Here is an article from the June 18 issue of the Washington Post. I 
> missed it on Newsline but saw a Facebook post about it today from an 
> NFB member. I groaned at the time. Then I saw a KIN5 news story about 
> it tonight. Of course they pretty much read the story word for word. I 
> will call them tomorrow. I would appreciate your thoughts about what I 
> might say and how you all feel about this.
>
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/06/18/fda-ap
> proves -device-to-help-blind-people-see-by-using-their-tongues/
> <http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/06/18/fda-a
> pprove s-device-to-help-blind-people-see-by-using-their-tongues/>
>
> Marci
>
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