Re: Cane Tip Ticks

From: sojacobson@mmm.com
Date: Wed Jan 10 1996 - 06:29:07 PST


Regarding an electric sound sourse for the location of objects, Bill
Gerrey said:

> It was fun to use, socially offensive to some, and worked pretty well.
> As a training aid for use of echo location, its vurtues were praised by
> Larry Scadden.

I know that many blind people including myself depended greatly on finger
snapping and/or clicking to get information about our surrounding
environment when we were kids. The use of a cane reduced the need to
generate sounds, but we were also discouraged from generating sounds as
it was seen to be inappropriate. Yet, as an adult, I still find an
occasional situation when generating a sound that yields echos, whether
it be a tapping cane or jingling keys, is most useful.

However, one of my gripes with some of the travel aids that have been
suggested is the way they appear. Therefore, I guess, one must examine
the social implications of any device that we would intend for wide use.
Also, as I have said before, one more device to carry that needs
batteries may not go over. --

          Steve Jacobson
          National Federation of the Blind
          3M Company
          Internet: SOJACOBSON@MMM.COM



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