[blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to WalkwithCanes

[Bonnie Lucas]

Yet another point is that if a sighted child learns what can actually be 
done in the way of safe independent travel, then he or she can gain more 
respect for blind people, knowing that they really are able to do what 
everyone around them is doing, namely, travel independently. It wouldn't 
surprise me for a minute to see sighted kids put on blind folds and play the 
game just as their blind siblings and friends.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Holloway" <rholloway at gopbc.org>
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 12:13 AM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Wii Device Teaches Visually Impaired to 
WalkwithCanes


> Kim, I agree. I hadn't even thought of that aspect of this matter.
>
> All of the kids in my daughter's first grade class were exposed to 
> braille last year, but I think they learned a lot less about cane  travel. 
> A couple of children even learned to read and write enough  braille to 
> exchange notes with Kendra. It has been a great learning  experience for 
> the kids and a wonderful way for them to bond and  interact with my 
> daughter too.
>
> It seems like the cane thing is taboo though. People generally aren't 
> "supposed" to walk around with white canes when they aren't blind and 
> generally, sighted kids are told not to handle our kids canes. The 
> reasons are logical-- canes aren't toys and they need to be where they 
> were left so the cane's proper users can get them when they need them  and 
> from where they were left-- I get it. But how interesting that  this may 
> offer a way for a sighted child to experience at least a  touch of what 
> cane use involves-- even if that is only enough to make  a cane traveler 
> become more included in a conversation, especially  when the topic is 
> something the blind child will most likely have the  advantage on as far 
> as understanding and experience!
>
> Richard
>
> On Jun 7, 2010, at 5:08 PM, Kim Cunningham wrote:
>
>> Well said Holly! As parents, we all understand that each child is 
>> motivated by different methods. I like the social aspect of this  game. 
>> While other kids are talking about playing Guitar Hero and  other Wii 
>> games, this would give our kids the opportunity to be  included in the 
>> conversation. Like it or not, video gaming is very  popular and I want my 
>> child to have the same experiences as their  sighted peers. It's 
>> important for our kids to feel accepted. I think  the sighted kids would 
>> think this program would be really cool!
>> Kim
>
>
>