To: Internet:nfb-rd@nfbcal.org
Here is the latest post I submitted to the BLIND-L list on this
subject. I am interested in your reaction to the one reply which
follows my post.
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To: Internet:blind-l@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU
From: Curtis Chong >Internet:73443.1351@compuserve.com
Subject: Navigational Aids for the Blind
When developing navigational aids for the blind, I think it is
important for the developer to understand what a typical traveler
does in various unfamiliar settings. For example, if one is in an
airport, between flights, is one always interested in following a
prescribed route which extends from one gate to another? Not
necessarily. Some times, while heading for a departure gate, a
traveler, blind or sighted, might want to stop for a snack, shop
for gifts, use the telephone, take advantage of airport restroom
facilities, etc. How will a navigation system, geared to providing
very specific route information, help in this regard? Only if it
is flexible enough to allow the traveler to go where and when he or
she wants without restricting the travel to a particular route, and
only if it does not detract from the use of those travel techniques
that the blind person already has in place.
Let us consider what will happen if any device developed by Mr.
Kallewaard takes hold. First, since he proposes that an individual
will not purchase the device for his own direct personal use, I
assume that any such device will be made available to the blind
traveler upon entering a public building, airport, railway station,
etc. Fine. Now, when I as the blind traveler am handed the
device, I presume that I will be asked where I wish to go. If this
is an airport, I might indicate my flight number, and the device
would theoretically be programmed with the gate number for the
departing flight. Fine. Now, I take this device and start
following a route. Suppose the flight is delayed and that there
has been a gate change. Would the device be flexible enough for me
to program in the new data? If it is not, then it has just ceased
to be a useful tool for me.
Suppose further that I have time to kill in the airport. I now
want to find a phone, buy some gifts for my family, eat a steak, go
to the restroom, etc. If I am a good traveler, I will have no
problem accomplishing these tasks. (No need for the navigation aid
here.) If I am not such a good traveler, then I might want to use
the navigational aid to help me. How will this be done? How is
this superior to getting good directions (either verbally or in
braille) that I can use to go wherever I wish?
I have never been opposed to new technology that is truly helpful
to blind people. I am merely opposed to the use of technology
which perpetuates those negative notions about blindness with which
some of us have become all too familiar. (Isn't it amazing that
the blind can ride escalators?) I agree that there may exist
opportunities for presenting the blind traveler with more
information than can currently be obtained with the cane, hearing,
asking directions, and just plain good thinking (although I will
confess that I cannot suggest any such at this point). I certainly
do want new technology--but not technology which forces me to
follow a prescribed route. I also want service personnel to learn
to give good directions and to recognize that I *do not*
necessarily need someone to hold my hand or walk with me all the
way from one gate to the next. Oftentimes, in an airport, I have
asked for directions to go to a gate, phone, or restaurant. I am
invariably met with the response, "It is really hard for you to get
there. Let me walk with you." Typically, I politely turn down the
offer of help and discover that the place I was headed for was not
really quite so hard to find as the service person might have
thought. (Clearly, they thought the trek would be difficult for me
as a blind person because they *thought* I needed a prescribed
route to follow with which I was familiar.)
The question that we must always have in front of us is this: How
much environmental modification is really reasonable for the blind
to travel independently? (I am sure that there is a whole range of
responses that will accrue from this question.) I happen to
believe that some environmental modifications are helpful (e.g.,
braille in elevators.) Note that I said "HELPFUL." Bear in mind
that blind people were traveling *long before* braille in elevators
became a requirement for all public buildings.
So, what about navigational aids? I think that developers need to
understand what information *is* and *is not* necessary for the
blind traveler. I think they need to understand that *any* device
that forces us to follow a particular route does *not* reflect a
good understanding of normal travel behavior. I think developers
need to understand that asking for directions and a little help
while traveling is *not* a bad thing for a blind traveler to do.
Finally, when considering the PR that may need to be done to
promote these devices (if developed,) one has to consider whether
the PR will be helpful or harmful to a positive understanding of
the ability of blind people to live and work on an equal basis in
society.
Can technology improve our ability to travel and learn about new
environments? I believe that it can--but only if it is flexible
enough to help the blind person to go where and when he or she
wants to go.
Cordially, Curtis Chong
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Date: 07-Mar-94 09:17 CST
From: Dave Jones >INTERNET:d.b.jones@OPEN.AC.UK
Reply to: Re: Navigational Aids for the Blind
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Date: Mon, 7 Mar 1994 14:40:22 +0000
Reply-To: Computer Use by and for the Blind <BLIND-L@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU>
Sender: Computer Use by and for the Blind <BLIND-L@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU>
From: Dave Jones <d.b.jones@OPEN.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: Navigational Aids for the Blind
Comments: To: Computer Use by and for the Blind <BLIND-L@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list BLIND-L <BLIND-L@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU>
I as a developer of technical aids for the blind, welcome your comments as
being helpful and necessary. Technology for it's own sake is so much wasted
effort and the first rule of any designer should be to ask is the device
worth while. Ask those that are to use it, do they want it.
We have a system of Talking Signs throughout the university and anyone can
make use of them. Each sign is independent and is triggered only if someone
walks by who is wearing a trigger unit (worn like a medallion). The trigger
can be switched off if needed, but the important point is that there is no
set route, walk where you wish taking whatever route you chose.
The same should be true with a system that uses satellites for a guidance
system, press the button whenever you want information. Satellite systems
are at present very large (28lb) and need a lot of development before they
will be of much use. We hope to attract funds for continued development of
such a system. The beauty of such systems is that they are not just
applicable to the visually impaired hence it is much more probable
that they will be developed. Take the talking sign for example, who is
disabled, the person who speaks a foreign language ? Who does not get stuck
when in a strange place and there is no one to ask directions of. We could
all use a watch that can tell us exactly where we are and better still how
we get to our destination.
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Cordially, Curtis Chong
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