Travel, Tips, Tricks, Tools and Techniques
Author(s): May, Michael G.; Kerscher, George; Kua, Cheng Hock; Kutsch, Jim ; Raubenheimer, Britt.
Abstract: How to "see" the world independently presented by million-mile blind travelers. Presents the tools and techniques blind individuals have used to navigate today's world of high security, cheap tickets, growing number of round abouts, a proliferation of electronic information and amalgamating cultures. Seeing the world is not a matter of 20-20 vision, it is a function of encountering the world head on and knowing the tricks of travel and the ingenuity to negotiate the unexpected.
Business Travel Tips for the Entrepreneur With a Disability : Article provides additional traveling tips from various sources.
Advanced Navigation Tools Developed for Blind Travelers
Mike May and Sendero were featured in the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research FY2013 Organizational Highlights, Pg. 10.
Abstract: Article outlines Sendero's NIDRR work since 2001 to develop and expand accessible Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness , Volume 101(7) , Pgs. 389-401.
Author(s): Ponchillia, Paul E.; Rak, Eniko C.; Freeland, Amy L.; LaGrow, Steven J..
Abstract: Two experiments were conducted to determine consumers’ ability to use a BrailleNote GPS (global positioning system). In Experiment 1, after being disoriented, 3 participants with varying degrees of visual impairment located a target house in a residential neighborhood, with the GPS and without it. Mean orientation time with the BrailleNote was 45 seconds compared to 6 minutes without it, and target efficiency increased fourfold. Experiment 2 had one participant locating 5 target houses within a familiar residential neighborhood with the BrailleNote and without it. The resulting higher efficiency in locating the targets with the GPS than without it demonstrated the advantage of GPS technology even in familiar areas. Implications of the findings for consumers and the instructional community are discussed.
Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness , Volume 101(8) , Pgs. 479-488.
Author(s): Ponchillia, Paul E.; MacKenzie, Nancy; Long, Richard G.; Denton-Smith, Pamela; Hicks, Thomas L.; Miley, Priscilla.
Abstract: Two experiments were conducted to determine participants' accuracy in locating targets using the BrailleNote Global Positioning System (BGPS). In the first experiment, 19 participants located a 25-foot chalk circle 93 percent of the time with the BGPS, compared to 12 percent of the time without it. The second experiment, designed as a follow-up to the first, tested how close experienced user could come to a known target point using the BGPS. Results showed that the subject came within 1 foot of the target on all trials. Target location techniques are described.
Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness , Volume 98(3) , Pgs. 135-147.
Author(s): Golledge, Reginald G.; Marston, James R.; Loomis, Jack M.; Klatzky, Roberta L.
Abstract: Article reports findings from a survey of people with visual impairments to examined preferences for different types of possible components of a personal navigation device. Results showed that the majority of participants preferred speech input and output interfaces, were willing to use such a product, thought that they would make more trips with such a device, and had concerns about the cosmetic acceptability of a device.
Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness , Volume 99(12) , Pgs. 741-754.
Author(s): Mason, Sarah J.; Legge, Gordon E.; Kallie, Christopher S..
Abstract: The variability of the length and frequency of steps was measured in sighted people and people with visual impairment walking at 3 different paces: slow, preferred, and fast. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups. Participants who were visually impaired walked as consistently as sighted participants in the controlled indoor environment. Authors conclude that using the linear relationship between the length and frequency of steps provides a good method for estimating distance that is traveled.