Orientation & Mobility Instructor #2024-198A3 - Capital Region BOCES
#2024-198A3
A new O&M position is open at the Capital region BOCES in Albany NY.
Please see the link below.
Eileen K Dashnaw
OTR/L, COMS
42 Priest Road
Salem, NY 12865
518-260-6186
Fax: 518-854-9540
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*Eileen K Dashnaw*
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Re: StellarTrek software update 2.1 is out!
Hello Sharon,
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Different tools for different people is my motto. There are pros and cons to each.
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On the plus side for the StellarTrek:
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- One handed use that leaves your cane/guide dog hand free
- Everything in one place with a user interface that is coherent (different apps on the phone use different UIs)
- Doesn’t need Internet connectivity
- Virtual map browsing (you can “walk” around anywhere in the world from the comfort of your living room, useful to do before a trip to somewhere new)
- Open area mode
- Ability to record routes
- Detailed intersection description, not just the street name but also if there are traffic light, stop signs present, etc.
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Also, the Stellar is $1595 USD, not $2000.
?
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If you’d like to know more, feel free to reach out to me!
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Mathieu
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
- Be vigilant with attachments and clickable links.
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COURRIEL EXTERNE - Attention aux pièces jointes et aux liens cliquables.
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I would like to know how your $2000 device is different from free Seeing Ai and OKO software on an iPhone?
Thanks
Sharon
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Sharon H Payne COMS, CLVT
Rehabilitation Services Manager
Lift Vision Services c/o Able Services, Inc
Maryland, USA
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Re: StellarTrek software update 2.1 is out!
I would like to know how your $2000 device is different from free Seeing Ai and OKO software on an iPhone?
Thanks
Sharon
--
Sharon H Payne COMS, CLVT
Rehabilitation Services Manager
Lift Vision Services c/o Able Services, Inc
Maryland, USA
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Re: StellarTrek software update 2.1 is out!
No to toot our own horn, but the pedestrian crossing detection feature has been in beta for a couple months and we’ve done some demos in the field and the feedback has been pretty amazing.
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If you’d like to chat about it, let me know Dona!
?
Mathieu
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toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Dona Sauerburger via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 1:53 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [OandM] StellarTrek software update 2.1 is out!
?
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
- Be vigilant with attachments and clickable links.
|
|
COURRIEL EXTERNE - Attention aux pièces jointes et aux liens cliquables.
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<gasp> this sounds amazing!
— Dona
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist for the blind
?Hi everyone!
Just a quick word to announce the release of the 2.1 software of the StellarTrek today!
This new update brings tons of new features to the device, such as :
- Pedestrian crossing detection with anti-veering technology:
When you arrive at an intersection, enter this application (found alongside all the other apps like the quick reading, barcode reading, etc) to scan your environment and locate where the pedestrian crossing (also called crosswalks, zebra crossings,
etc) is. While crossing, maintain your device in front of you, and if you are veering too much to the left or to the right, the device will give instructions to correct course.
- Offline map installation:
Maps can now be downloaded from a computer to a USB-C stick. Plugging that USB-C stick to the Stellar will prompt you to install all the maps installed. Note that whatever is on the USB-C stick will override what was on the device. For example,
if you had STATE A and STATE B installed, and on your stick you have STATE C, then it will REMOVE State A and B as they’re not present on the USB-C stick, and install State C. This however will allow configuring multiple units at once easier and without having
to use wifi.
- STOP signs integration:
2.0 brought in traffic light information in the maps, now with 2.1, we also added STOP signs (as provided by HERE Maps data, can be more or less reliable depending on where you are).
- Disable unwanted applications:
In the settings menu, you can now personalize your StellarTrek further by disabling certain apps. For example, never use the color recognition? Disable it! This way, it will stop showing up in the application menu (up arrow). If you do decide
to bring it back, you can re-enable it later. This is also now a step in the initial setup.
- Low light conditions verification:
For all apps that use the camera (quick and detailed reading, address recognition, barcode, color recognition, pedestrian crossings), if the light conditions are insufficient, the StellarTrek will give you a warning.
- Route time ETA:
In pedestrian mode, get your estimated time of arrival when pressing the WhereAmI key.
- Invalid POI reporting:
If the What’s Around feature reports a business that is now closed or moved, you can report it. Reporting it will hide it from future queries of What’s Around, and it will also send HumanWare a report that it is an invalid POI, which we will
gather and submit to HERE Maps for future map corrections.
- Cycling and pedestrian paths are now available as a route option:
Turned off by default. If you turn it on, the StellarTrek will now take into account bike and walking paths to create routes. This is a feature mainly for EU as those are more prevalent there but can be used everywhere.
- Import/export all configurations at once:
There is now a menu to export all of your configurations (except Bluetooth) at once and reimport it on another device. Like offline maps install, this will help when trying to configure multiple devices at once, you could configure just one,
export it and import the config on other devices.
Have questions about the StellarTrek? Feel free to post them here or send me an email at mathieu.paquette[at]humanware.com !
Thanks everyone.
Mathieu Paquette
StellarTrek product manager
HumanWare
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Re: StellarTrek software update 2.1 is out!
<gasp> this sounds amazing! — Dona ————————— Dona Sauerburger, COMS Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist for the blind www.sauerburger.org
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 12, 2024, at 1:34 PM, Mathieu via groups.io <Mathieu.Paquette@...> wrote:
?Hi everyone! Just a quick word to announce the release of the 2.1 software of the StellarTrek today! This new update brings tons of new features to the device, such as :
- Pedestrian crossing detection with anti-veering technology: When you arrive at an intersection, enter this application (found alongside all the other apps like the quick reading, barcode reading, etc) to scan your environment and locate where the pedestrian crossing (also called crosswalks, zebra crossings, etc) is. While crossing, maintain your device in front of you, and if you are veering too much to the left or to the right, the device will give instructions to correct course.
- Offline map installation: Maps can now be downloaded from a computer to a USB-C stick. Plugging that USB-C stick to the Stellar will prompt you to install all the maps installed. Note that whatever is on the USB-C stick will override what was on the device. For example, if you had STATE A and STATE B installed, and on your stick you have STATE C, then it will REMOVE State A and B as they’re not present on the USB-C stick, and install State C. This however will allow configuring multiple units at once easier and without having to use wifi.
- STOP signs integration: 2.0 brought in traffic light information in the maps, now with 2.1, we also added STOP signs (as provided by HERE Maps data, can be more or less reliable depending on where you are).
- Disable unwanted applications: In the settings menu, you can now personalize your StellarTrek further by disabling certain apps. For example, never use the color recognition? Disable it! This way, it will stop showing up in the application menu (up arrow). If you do decide to bring it back, you can re-enable it later. This is also now a step in the initial setup.
- Low light conditions verification: For all apps that use the camera (quick and detailed reading, address recognition, barcode, color recognition, pedestrian crossings), if the light conditions are insufficient, the StellarTrek will give you a warning.
- Route time ETA: In pedestrian mode, get your estimated time of arrival when pressing the WhereAmI key.
- Invalid POI reporting: If the What’s Around feature reports a business that is now closed or moved, you can report it. Reporting it will hide it from future queries of What’s Around, and it will also send HumanWare a report that it is an invalid POI, which we will gather and submit to HERE Maps for future map corrections.
- Cycling and pedestrian paths are now available as a route option: Turned off by default. If you turn it on, the StellarTrek will now take into account bike and walking paths to create routes. This is a feature mainly for EU as those are more prevalent there but can be used everywhere.
- Import/export all configurations at once: There is now a menu to export all of your configurations (except Bluetooth) at once and reimport it on another device. Like offline maps install, this will help when trying to configure multiple devices at once, you could configure just one, export it and import the config on other devices.
Have questions about the StellarTrek? Feel free to post them here or send me an email at mathieu.paquette[at]humanware.com ! Thanks everyone. Mathieu Paquette StellarTrek product manager HumanWare
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StellarTrek software update 2.1 is out!
Hi everyone! Just a quick word to announce the release of the 2.1 software of the StellarTrek today! This new update brings tons of new features to the device, such as :
- Pedestrian crossing detection with anti-veering technology: When you arrive at an intersection, enter this application (found alongside all the other apps like the quick reading, barcode reading, etc) to scan your environment and locate where the pedestrian crossing (also called crosswalks, zebra crossings, etc) is. While crossing, maintain your device in front of you, and if you are veering too much to the left or to the right, the device will give instructions to correct course.
- Offline map installation: Maps can now be downloaded from a computer to a USB-C stick. Plugging that USB-C stick to the Stellar will prompt you to install all the maps installed. Note that whatever is on the USB-C stick will override what was on the device. For example, if you had STATE A and STATE B installed, and on your stick you have STATE C, then it will REMOVE State A and B as they’re not present on the USB-C stick, and install State C. This however will allow configuring multiple units at once easier and without having to use wifi.
- STOP signs integration: 2.0 brought in traffic light information in the maps, now with 2.1, we also added STOP signs (as provided by HERE Maps data, can be more or less reliable depending on where you are).
- Disable unwanted applications: In the settings menu, you can now personalize your StellarTrek further by disabling certain apps. For example, never use the color recognition? Disable it! This way, it will stop showing up in the application menu (up arrow). If you do decide to bring it back, you can re-enable it later. This is also now a step in the initial setup.
- Low light conditions verification: For all apps that use the camera (quick and detailed reading, address recognition, barcode, color recognition, pedestrian crossings), if the light conditions are insufficient, the StellarTrek will give you a warning.
- Route time ETA: In pedestrian mode, get your estimated time of arrival when pressing the WhereAmI key.
- Invalid POI reporting: If the What’s Around feature reports a business that is now closed or moved, you can report it. Reporting it will hide it from future queries of What’s Around, and it will also send HumanWare a report that it is an invalid POI, which we will gather and submit to HERE Maps for future map corrections.
- Cycling and pedestrian paths are now available as a route option: Turned off by default. If you turn it on, the StellarTrek will now take into account bike and walking paths to create routes. This is a feature mainly for EU as those are more prevalent there but can be used everywhere.
- Import/export all configurations at once: There is now a menu to export all of your configurations (except Bluetooth) at once and reimport it on another device. Like offline maps install, this will help when trying to configure multiple devices at once, you could configure just one, export it and import the config on other devices.
Have questions about the StellarTrek? Feel free to post them here or send me an email at mathieu.paquette[at]humanware.com ! Thanks everyone. Mathieu Paquette StellarTrek product manager HumanWare
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Hi Kymberly,
There are a group of skills called the Expanded Core Curriculum, ECC. These are nine areas that we typically do not teach students, though they are areas that can be beneficial for those who are blind and low vision to receive direct instruction in. Some of those areas are Independent Living Skills, Social Skills, and Self Determination; these areas cover topics you mentioned.?
There is significant overlap with Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, Vision Rehabilitation Therapists, and Orientation and Mobility Specialist in addressimg the ECC; when all collaborate it seems to work best.?
Role playing is a helpful strategy for developing skills for soliciting assistance for those who may be reluctant to jump right in.?
Here is a LiveBinder with ECC resources,?
-- Sent from iPhone chris@... 512.660.2750
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On Mar 11, 2024, at 2:37?AM, kymberlyhilton@... wrote:
?Hi Everyone
I'm Kymberly,? a first time year student at Salus University. I? have enjoyed reading the feedback you have given my classmates for this assignment.? There are two question I have about orientation and mobility. 1. Are there other skills being taught to students such as money-handling skills or being responsible for personal belongings when traveling? 2. What are strategies are being used to help students ask for assistance from others as they travel?
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And I would add that in some cases someone else may have already taught it, but even in that case O and M instructors may be the ones that are out and about and
get to be sure the student is making practical use of what they may have learned elsewhere.
Patty
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Dona Sauerburger via groups.io
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2024 5:59 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [OandM] O&M Lessons
?
Great question, Kimberly - indeed, those are both essential parts of what we teach! ?As you can imagine, it would be difficult to be very successful if you can’t ever pay for things or get information or assistance.
— Dona
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist for the blind
?Hi Everyone
I'm Kymberly,? a first time year student at Salus University. I? have enjoyed reading the feedback you have given my classmates for this assignment.? There are two question I have about orientation and mobility. 1. Are there other skills being taught to students
such as money-handling skills or being responsible for personal belongings when traveling? 2. What are strategies are being used to help students ask for assistance from others as they travel?
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Great question, Kimberly - indeed, those are both essential parts of what we teach! ?As you can imagine, it would be difficult to be very successful if you can’t ever pay for things or get information or assistance. — Dona ————————— Dona Sauerburger, COMS Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist for the blind www.sauerburger.org
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On Mar 11, 2024, at 8:36 AM, kymberlyhilton@... wrote:
?Hi Everyone
I'm Kymberly,? a first time year student at Salus University. I? have enjoyed reading the feedback you have given my classmates for this assignment.? There are two question I have about orientation and mobility. 1. Are there other skills being taught to students such as money-handling skills or being responsible for personal belongings when traveling? 2. What are strategies are being used to help students ask for assistance from others as they travel?
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I like discussing and creating what I call “the outside of the house tool kit.“ It’s not just about the items that you need when you leave the house for an extended period of time. It’s also where these items go either in a bag or somewhere on your body or within your clothing. I also like to work on scripting having some elevator speeches ready for some of the more common forms of assistance a student might need. Tell Jamie and Fabiana I said hi.
Doug Gilbert
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Hi Everyone
I'm Kymberly,? a first time year student at Salus University. I? have enjoyed reading the feedback you have given my classmates for this assignment.? There are two question I have about orientation and mobility. 1. Are there other skills being taught to students such as money-handling skills or being responsible for personal belongings when traveling? 2. What are strategies are being used to help students ask for assistance from others as they travel?
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All,
I wanted to let you know that I have addressed the issues Jenny mentioned about “check all that apply” questions. If you abandoned the survey for this reason, please consider giving it another
go.
I understand the comprehensiveness of the survey may be too much. We (APH) really want to try to get as much feedback from as many different customers as possible. The length of the survey is
different for different customer types.
The feedback we get will directly affect the APH O&M Road Map for product development, so we need to hear from you.
Again, I apologize for any inconvenience caused by particular questions. Hopefully, I have caught them all.
Best regards to you all.
?
Denise Snow, CPACC, CKM, (she/her)
UX Research Strategist
Educational Product Innovations
American Printing House
1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 899-2288
dsnow@...
?
?
?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of
Denise Snow via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2024 4:27 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [OandM] Focus On O&M Needs
?
Hi Jenny,
Again, thanks for the feedback about the survey. I will look into those issues.
I did deliberately leave all open-ended questions as not required so folks could skip if necessary.
As I was saying to Michael, perhaps a more robust survey subscription in the future would be helpful. The ability to leave a survey and come back to continue the survey is another example. I
will take this to my stakeholders.
And again, thanks for the feedback. It’s much appreciated.
Best,
?
Denise Snow, CPACC, CKM, (she/her)
UX Research Strategist
Educational Product Innovations
American Printing House
1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 899-2288
dsnow@...
?
?
?
?
?
I also quit, however, it was about 18 questions in – a number of questions said you could choose all that apply – but you could only pick one.? Also, it was 89 questions long and It took me
forever to get to 18 with all the narriative questions asked.? I am sorry but I don’t have the time for such a massively time consuming survey.? Maybe, it could be condensed.? Many questions were basically the same, just asked different ways.? Thanks!
?
I stopped working on this survey after the second question. It wanted me to identify which of several categories I fit in, and it would only allow me to select one. I fit in at least two or three. I refuse to limit my responses to only
one category.
Michael Byington
Contact Information:
Michael Byington, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
President of Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Membership Coordinator for Friends In Art of the American Council of the Blind
712 S Kansas Avenue, Suite 414
Topeka, Kansas 66603
(785) 221-7111
ByingtonCOMS@...
?
?
?
O&M professionals--and students and adults with visual impairments--we invite you to participate in an essential comprehensive O&M Needs survey:
.
Your insights will directly influence APH’s Focus on O&M Roadmap for the development of innovative O&M solutions aimed at enhancing independence and mobility for individuals with visual impairments.
Please take some time to complete the and share your thoughts and ideas on this important topic.
Thanks,
Denise Snow
UX Research Strategist
APH
*** This is an EXTERNAL email. Please exercise caution. DO NOT open attachments or click links from unknown senders or unexpected email - TSB_Technology. ***
|
Hi Jenny,
Again, thanks for the feedback about the survey. I will look into those issues.
I did deliberately leave all open-ended questions as not required so folks could skip if necessary.
As I was saying to Michael, perhaps
a more robust survey subscription in the future would be helpful.
The ability to leave a survey and come back to continue the survey is another example.
I will take this to my stakeholders.
And again, thanks for the feedback. It’s much appreciated.
Best,
?
Denise Snow, CPACC, CKM, (she/her)
UX Research Strategist
Educational Product Innovations
American Printing House
1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 899-2288
dsnow@...
?
?
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of
Luttrell, Jenny via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2024 4:16 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [OandM] Focus On O&M Needs
?
?
I also quit, however, it was about 18 questions in – a number of questions said you could choose all that apply – but you could only pick one.? Also, it was 89 questions long and It took me
forever to get to 18 with all the narriative questions asked.? I am sorry but I don’t have the time for such a massively time consuming survey.? Maybe, it could be condensed.? Many questions were basically the same, just asked different ways.? Thanks!
?
I stopped working on this survey after the second question. It wanted me to identify which of several categories I fit in, and it would only allow me to select one. I fit in at least two or three. I refuse to limit my responses to only
one category.
Michael Byington
Contact Information:
Michael Byington, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
President of Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Membership Coordinator for Friends In Art of the American Council of the Blind
712 S Kansas Avenue, Suite 414
Topeka, Kansas 66603
(785) 221-7111
ByingtonCOMS@...
?
?
?
O&M professionals--and students and adults with visual impairments--we invite you to participate in an essential comprehensive O&M Needs survey:
.
Your insights will directly influence APH’s Focus on O&M Roadmap for the development of innovative O&M solutions aimed at enhancing independence and mobility for individuals with visual impairments.
Please take some time to complete the and share your thoughts and ideas on this important topic.
Thanks,
Denise Snow
UX Research Strategist
APH
*** This is an EXTERNAL email. Please exercise caution. DO NOT open attachments or click links from unknown senders or unexpected email - TSB_Technology. ***
|
Michael,
I really appreciate you letting me know, and I’m so sorry the inconvenience. The reasoning for the limitation to only pick one choice is that the survey has applied logic that directs you, based
on how you answered, to certain sections of the survey. That way, you don’t have to go through the whole process if you are, for example, a student or adult consumer. I tried to word it in such a way that would indicate the role/position you most identify
with in regards to O&M needs. I can see how that would be limiting.
However, you may take it as many times as you like. That is one option.
I really appreciate your feedback about this. I will take it to APH stakeholders as an example of the need for a more robust survey subscription in the future.
Thanks,
?
Denise Snow, CPACC, CKM, (she/her)
UX Research Strategist
Educational Product Innovations
American Printing House
1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 899-2288
dsnow@...
?
?
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of
Michael Byington via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2024 4:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [OandM] Focus On O&M Needs
?
I stopped working on this survey after the second question. It wanted me to identify which of several categories I fit in, and it would only allow me to select one. I fit in at least two or three. I refuse to limit my responses to only
one category.
Michael Byington
Contact Information:
Michael Byington, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
President of Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Membership Coordinator for Friends In Art of the American Council of the Blind
712 S Kansas Avenue, Suite 414
Topeka, Kansas 66603
(785) 221-7111
ByingtonCOMS@...
?
?
?
O&M professionals--and students and adults with visual impairments--we invite you to participate in an essential comprehensive O&M Needs survey:
.
Your insights will directly influence APH’s Focus on O&M Roadmap for the development of innovative O&M solutions aimed at enhancing independence and mobility for individuals with visual impairments.
Please take some time to complete the and share your thoughts and ideas on this important topic.
Thanks,
Denise Snow
UX Research Strategist
APH
|
?
I also quit, however, it was about 18 questions in – a number of questions said you could choose all that apply – but you could only pick one.? Also, it was 89 questions long and It took me
forever to get to 18 with all the narriative questions asked.? I am sorry but I don’t have the time for such a massively time consuming survey.? Maybe, it could be condensed.? Many questions were basically the same, just asked different ways.? Thanks!
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of
Michael Byington via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2024 3:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [OandM] Focus On O&M Needs
?
I stopped working on this survey after the second question. It wanted me to identify which of several categories I fit in, and it would only allow me to select one. I fit in at least two or three. I refuse to limit my responses to only
one category.
Michael Byington
Contact Information:
Michael Byington, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
President of Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Membership Coordinator for Friends In Art of the American Council of the Blind
712 S Kansas Avenue, Suite 414
Topeka, Kansas 66603
(785) 221-7111
ByingtonCOMS@...
?
?
?
O&M professionals--and students and adults with visual impairments--we invite you to participate in an essential comprehensive O&M Needs survey:
.
Your insights will directly influence APH’s Focus on O&M Roadmap for the development of innovative O&M solutions aimed at enhancing independence and mobility for individuals with visual impairments.
Please take some time to complete the and share your thoughts and ideas on this important topic.
Thanks,
Denise Snow
UX Research Strategist
APH
*** This is an EXTERNAL email. Please exercise caution. DO NOT open attachments or click links from unknown senders or unexpected email - TSB_Technology. ***
|
I stopped working on this survey after the second question. It wanted me to identify which of several categories I fit in, and it would only allow me to select one. I fit in at least two or three. I refuse to limit my responses to only one category. Michael Byington Contact Information: Michael Byington, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist President of Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Membership Coordinator for Friends In Art of the American Council of the Blind 712 S Kansas Avenue, Suite 414 Topeka, Kansas 66603 (785) 221-7111 ByingtonCOMS@... ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of dsnow via groups.io Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2024 1:31 PM To: [email protected]Subject: [OandM] Focus On O&M Needs ? O&M professionals--and students and adults with visual impairments--we invite you to participate in an essential comprehensive O&M Needs survey: . Your insights will directly influence APH’s Focus on O&M Roadmap for the development of innovative O&M solutions aimed at enhancing independence and mobility for individuals with visual impairments. Please take some time to complete the and share your thoughts and ideas on this important topic.
Thanks,
Denise Snow
UX Research Strategist
APH
|
O&M professionals--and students and adults with visual impairments--we invite you to participate in an essential comprehensive O&M Needs survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FocusOnOM24.
Your insights will directly influence APH’s Focus on O&M Roadmap for the development of innovative O&M solutions aimed at enhancing independence and mobility for individuals with visual impairments.
Please take some time to complete the and share your thoughts and ideas on this important topic.
Thanks,
Denise Snow
UX Research Strategist
APH
|
I love this! I’m actually currently a Music Therapist, so everything you wrote was so in tune (pun intended) and aligned with a MT approach. I’m excited to blend the two together.?
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Thank you so much for the links! This is great!!
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You all are tackling a really inspiring issue. I'm very impressed at how you use your creativity to motivate your clients and to empower them by helping them discover their own resources. More power to you!
Pamela Cory retired MA, CVRT Therapist in Hamburg, Germany
Before I went back to Graduate school, to study for my O&M credential, my first Graduate level credential was as a Drama Therapist. Needless to say, I see a lot of connections between O&M and the arts. I have done numerous O&M lessons to music venues, especially with clients who had strong interests. This has included clients who had developed a strong interest in Karaoke. When I was working with working age populations in Wichita, I had a professional harmonica player client who was losing his vision because of retinitis pigmentosa. I am certainly no professional musician, but at the end of our O&M lesson, I used to pull out a harmonica, and we would do a duet or two. One of the things he wanted to do was improve his comfort level at being on stage with various bands in the area who would invite him to play, We worked on some stage strategies which he seemed to find helpful. I went to one of his performances at a local bar after our lessons were about completed, and he invited me up to do a duet with him, a real pleasure. Another client in Wichita who had been a professional musician worked with me on general O&M. He had experienced a severe stroke which impacted not only his vision, but also some coordination and processing. He had been a guitarist, and thought that he would never be able to return to the musician world. My amateur harmonica playing came in handy with him too. He had not picked up a guitar at all after his stroke and resultant vision loss, but I would pull out a harmonica at the end of our lesson, and this would encourage him to get out his guitar and try some things. He frankly was not very capable when starting out, as compared to his pre-stroke capabilities, but he was improving. Unfortunately, he had another medical problem that caused him to die before we made a lot of progress, but it was good that he became motivated to try some things again at the end of his life. I also worked with a client who had been a cruise ship singer before losing most of his vision. He was still a great crooner, but he explained that, when working on cruise ships, he would wander through the cruse ship venues with a cordless mic, and schmooze with the passengers. We thus worked on his being able to use his cane to move gracefully through venues as he had before his vision loss. I did not track him after he left the rehabilitation facility where I worked with him, but there was no reason why he could not have returned to entertainment in venues such as the ones he had served as a sighted entertainer. These are just a few examples that happen to come to mind. Michael Byington Contact Information: Michael Byington, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist President of Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Membership Coordinator for Friends In Art of the American Council of the Blind 712 S Kansas Avenue, Suite 414 Topeka, Kansas 66603 (785) 221-7111 ByingtonCOMS@... ? ?
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Chris Tabb
Suzanne K-F