[nfbwatlk] Another device to help us "see"

Mon Jun 22 22:42:30 UTC 2015

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-approves
> -device-to-help-blind-people-see-by-using-their-tongues/
> <http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/06/18/fda-approve
> s-device-to-help-blind-people-see-by-using-their-tongues/>
>
> Marci
>
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