[blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to WalkwithCanes

[Heather]

Cane training isn't supposed to be fun.  It's not the learning to use the 
cane that is fun, it is the learning to travel that is fun.,  I've never 
heard a blind kid go "Wow, that was a fun lesson I just had, I learned how 
to do three point touch technique."  no they say "I just had this sweett O 
and M lesson.  We worked on the escelators and I bought a new game from the 
K B toys in the mall, and the ten people I tripped this time at the mall 
were all their fault acording to the O and M instructor's observations, that 
beats the three my fault eight their fault from last week.  lol"  I think 
the designers  are not getting that concept, if the kid is actually outside, 
going somewhere meaningful to see friends, or shop, or eat, or do something 
meaningful, then fancy technology will not be needed to get and keep their 
interest.  and speeding cars down a busy NYC street are motivation enough 
not to vere.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 3:01 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to 
WalkwithCanes


> Good afternoon everyone,
>
>    Nothing will replace the total immersion experience. Cane travel is 
> very
> hands-on. Playing video games of this kine do nothing to help the blind
> child hone their cane skills and gain the confidence needed to become a 
> good
> cane traveler and to feel good about using the cane. We learned cane use
> that way and appreciate the value of having done so.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "holly miller" <hollym12 at gmail.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)"
> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 1:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to
> WalkwithCanes
>
>
> Peter,
> It says in the article
>
> "The Wii Cane training program is not meant to replace traditional
> training  methods, but is only a supplement."
> I would be concerned if someone thought it could replace actual real life
> training but I don't think that's what they are suggesting at all.
>
> I'm going to reserve judgement on it until it's actually available.  It
> sounds very interesting but of course well meaning ideas often fall far 
> from
> the mark.  On the other hand, if it is well done it could be a huge help
> especially for newly blind or partial vision kids that are having trouble
> accepting the idea of a cane.  Cane training doesn't need high tech tricks
> to be successful but if there is something that can make O&M training more
> fun & add a coolness factor, why would that be a bad thing?
>
> If this project is successful or not, the research & development going 
> into
> making a game might be a stepping stone to some other assistive technology
> that hasn't even been considered before.
>
> Holly
> aka Hank's mom
>
> On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 11:56 AM, Peter Donahue
> <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>wrote:
>
>> Hello Doreen and everyone,
>>
>>    All of the video games in the World won't replace hands-on cane travel
>> instruction. Please don't fall for this stuff.
>>
>> Peter Donahue
>>
>>
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