Thanks, Meg, for listing the guidelines!!
I’d agree -on all stairs. ?Only had one student request the top step only.
If you are in a school district, they most likely have an ADA compliance staff person and departments that?make modifications.? In our school district, we make a request through the principal and then someone comes out to view the situation according to your
request. They usually paint the stairs. However, one of my recent requests may turn into a stair replacement because the school stairs are so old.?
If this is the process for your school district, TRY and be there when someone comes out to assess the needs because errors can be done. See attachment (of past modifications) where they just painted the whole riser and no contrast for going down the stairs-
that was a redo.? ?This was not what I expected at all, since usually it was a 1- 2 inch stripe on the top and riser. Another example, a PT taped the stairs- not bad but tape can peel and be a tripping hazard if stairs have heavy traffic.? The other picture
is a reconstruction on a school where they put in contrasting stairs- wonderful.??
If I have a school under construction, I go and inquire on the stairs they will be installing. One construction company cheaped out, not installing the stairs ordered despite the building supervisor telling them- that was a redo.
The ADA compliance staff and district painters have been great to work with in our district especially on modifications with staircases that offer slanted walls/overheads where our VI kids could walk into them and with piping in stairwells.?
Good Luck, and hope this is helpful
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I agree with Julie, All the stairs!?
Eileen
On Thu, Nov 30, 2023 at 11:12?AM Julie Henry < jhenry@...> wrote:
ALL of the stairs. I had a high school student with just low enough vision to get around, with the exception of black stairs (with black tactile edges) in a lower light stairwell. He could not see any of the steps and would slip.?
Julie Henry
O&M Specialist
411 W. Front | Tyler, TX | 75702
O:
903.590.4356
?
?
Caution, external email.
Hello,?
I am a COMS on Boston's north shore. I am curious about what you usually recommend for stair markings in public schools. I have heard of 2 schools of thought: marking the edge of ALL stairs with high-contrast paint or tape, and marking only the first and last
stair.?
What are your thoughts and reasons behind them? Do you have any positive and/or negative experiences with either??
Thanks in advance!
Erin Buckley
--
Eileen K. Dashnaw, OTR/L, COMS
42 Priest Road
Salem, New York 12865
?
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Eileen K Dashnaw
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I have two students who have some significant issues with maintaining their grip on the cane handle (rubber golf grip) due in one case to a stroke and in the other case to a muscular condition similar to MS.??
I had someone suggest using bicycle handlebar tape to expand the grip.? As I've been looking at options. the thickest tapes also seem to be designed for reducing vibration from the handlebar, but for use on a mobility cane, that'ss something that we would want
to minimize to avoid reducing sensitivity to cane feedback.
Does anyone has recommendations for a particular brand / type of tape.? Or for something else to use to build up the grip a bit or otherwise improve grip on the cane?
Jack
????
Jack Mitchell, M.S.Ed, COMS, CVRT
Orientation & Mobility Specialist
I am in the office
Monday - Thursday?
Jack Mitchell
Orientation & Mobility Specialist |
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920 West Gate City Blvd ? Greensboro ? NC 27403 |
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Phone: 336-544-3711 |
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email: jmitchell@... |
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Customer Service 1-800-909-7086 |
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Thanks Meg! This has been an interesting back and forth.? Lots of interesting commentary.? Ruth Weinrib, M.Ed., MA, COMS R.Weinrib.COMS@... 617.877.9595
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On Nov 30, 2023, at 4:39?PM, Meg Robertson via groups.io <mobilitymeg@...> wrote:
? There?is a new rule from the US Access Board which will require contrasted tread edges on stairs Final Rule: Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way The leading edge of each step tread and top landing must be marked by a 1-inch (25 mm) wide stripe (R408.6). The stripe must contrast visually with the rest of the step tread or circulation path surface, either light-on-dark or dark-on-light. In adopting a requirement for contrast striping, the Board notes that a 1- to 2-inch stripe of contrasting color (either dark-on-light or light-on dark) is required by American National Standard (ANSI) through adoption of international building codes (IBC) to help users distinguish each step.]?(“Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities,” American National Standard (2009): 41, access from ANSI A117.1 (2009): Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities)
Paint works better than tape. ?Not sure what the Reseach shows about placing the contrast on the first and last stair. ?I don’t think that there is any. ?Having contrast on each stairs helps with depth perception? On Nov 30, 2023, at 8:00?AM, Erin Buckley <Ebuckley@...> wrote:
Hello,?
I am a COMS on Boston's north shore. I am curious about what you usually recommend for stair markings in public schools. I have heard of 2 schools of thought: marking the edge of ALL stairs with high-contrast paint or tape, and marking only the first and last stair.?
What are your thoughts and reasons behind them? Do you have any positive and/or negative experiences with either??
Thanks in advance!
Erin Buckley
|
Hooray Meg!
— Christopher J. Tabb, M.A., COMS chris@...Mobile: ?512.660.2750
 Image: ACVREP Digital Badge for COMS
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On Nov 30, 2023, at 2:39?PM, Meg Robertson via groups.io <mobilitymeg@...> wrote:
There?is a new rule from the US Access Board which will require contrasted tread edges on stairs Final Rule: Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way The leading edge of each step tread and top landing must be marked by a 1-inch (25 mm) wide stripe (R408.6). The stripe must contrast visually with the rest of the step tread or circulation path surface, either light-on-dark or dark-on-light. In adopting a requirement for contrast striping, the Board notes that a 1- to 2-inch stripe of contrasting color (either dark-on-light or light-on dark) is required by American National Standard (ANSI) through adoption of international building codes (IBC) to help users distinguish each step.]?(“Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities,” American National Standard (2009): 41, access from ANSI A117.1 (2009): Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities)
Paint works better than tape. ?Not sure what the Reseach shows about placing the contrast on the first and last stair. ?I don’t think that there is any. ?Having contrast on each stairs helps with depth perception? On Nov 30, 2023, at 8:00?AM, Erin Buckley <Ebuckley@...> wrote:
Hello,?
I am a COMS on Boston's north shore. I am curious about what you usually recommend for stair markings in public schools. I have heard of 2 schools of thought: marking the edge of ALL stairs with high-contrast paint or tape, and marking only the first and last stair.?
What are your thoughts and reasons behind them? Do you have any positive and/or negative experiences with either??
Thanks in advance!
Erin Buckley
|
Just as a side note to Michael’s addition of ADAAG, I believe there are different guidance that exist in different states. Like many things, states can go above and beyond a federal standard but must meet the federal minimum. I cannot recall off the top of my head which state was recommending all steps but believe there are some that have building codes that require just the first and last, and others that advise for all steps.
Suffice it to say, it is best to explore building codes adopted in your own state as they may differ, just as many states have their own adoptions of MUTCD.
— Christopher J. Tabb, M.A., COMS chris@...Mobile: ?512.660.2750
 Image: ACVREP Digital Badge for COMS
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On Nov 30, 2023, at 1:50?PM, Michael Byington <ByingtonCOMS@...> wrote:
So far, you have received two differing views from Julie and Ruth. I notice that both views are expressed based on what might happen with a particular student. Julie is writing from her actual experience with a specific student. What this points out to me is that it is impossible to standardize what works best for low vision and legally blind people overall. To a certain extent, the ADAAG gives guidance on percent of contrast, and what colors work best, but when adapting an environment largely for the accommodation of a specific person, I think it is always best to ask the person what she or he thinks will work best for them. I know many low vision people who would answer this question one way, and many others who would answer the other way. More frequently, however, I have found that marking every stair is preferred by a larger cross section of low vision people. This would include myself as a person who is legally blind as well as being a COMS. ? Now I want to comment on the advisability of marking steps to accommodate low vision at all. In my opinion, and in an ideal world, any person who is sufficiently low vision so as to request stair markings should really be using a cane. ?Marking the stairs that they will use most often may accommodate them for routes using those particular stairs, but then that is restricting them to perhaps only attempt to travel safely and independently on the routes that have been ideally marked. Proper use of the long, white cane, or of a dog guide, can allow them to travel independently and be aware of steps anywhere that they want to go. ? While I sincerely believe that travel skills taught to people who are totally blind? can also work very well for people who have low vision, I do support stair markings with high contrast., particularly upon request from a visually impaired person who feels that they need them for a specific, frequently traveled route or area. I would also agree with Julie that iridescent paint is more durable than tape and runs less of a tripping hazard. This is not, after all, an ideal world. Many low vision people prefer to use visual skills even when some additional environmental adaptation is necessary for them to do so independently. Therefore, I have certainly done my share of stair markings. Michael Byington, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist President of Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. Membership Coordinator for Friends In Art of the American Council of the Blind 712 S. Kansas Avenue Suite 414D-F Topeka, Kansas 66603 (785) 221-7111 ByingtonCOMS@... ? ? . ? ? Hello,?
I am a COMS on Boston's north shore. I am curious about what you usually recommend for stair markings in public schools. I have heard of 2 schools of thought: marking the edge of ALL stairs with high-contrast paint or tape, and marking only the first and last stair.?
What are your thoughts and reasons behind them? Do you have any positive and/or negative experiences with either??
Thanks in advance!
Erin Buckley
|
There?is a new rule from the US Access Board which will require contrasted tread edges on stairs Final Rule: Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way The leading edge of each step tread and top landing must be marked by a 1-inch (25 mm) wide stripe (R408.6). The stripe must contrast visually with the rest of the step tread or circulation path surface, either light-on-dark or dark-on-light. In adopting a requirement for contrast striping, the Board notes that a 1- to 2-inch stripe of contrasting color (either dark-on-light or light-on dark) is required by American National Standard (ANSI) through adoption of international building codes (IBC) to help users distinguish each step.]?(“Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities,” American National Standard (2009): 41, access from ANSI A117.1 (2009): Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities)
Paint works better than tape. ?Not sure what the Reseach shows about placing the contrast on the first and last stair. ?I don’t think that there is any. ?Having contrast on each stairs helps with depth perception?
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On Nov 30, 2023, at 8:00?AM, Erin Buckley <Ebuckley@...> wrote:
Hello,?
I am a COMS on Boston's north shore. I am curious about what you usually recommend for stair markings in public schools. I have heard of 2 schools of thought: marking the edge of ALL stairs with high-contrast paint or tape, and marking only the first and last stair.?
What are your thoughts and reasons behind them? Do you have any positive and/or negative experiences with either??
Thanks in advance!
Erin Buckley
|
So far, you have received two differing views from Julie and Ruth. I notice that both views are expressed based on what might happen with a particular student. Julie is writing from her actual experience with a specific student. What this points out to me is that it is impossible to standardize what works best for low vision and legally blind people overall. To a certain extent, the ADAAG gives guidance on percent of contrast, and what colors work best, but when adapting an environment largely for the accommodation of a specific person, I think it is always best to ask the person what she or he thinks will work best for them. I know many low vision people who would answer this question one way, and many others who would answer the other way. More frequently, however, I have found that marking every stair is preferred by a larger cross section of low vision people. This would include myself as a person who is legally blind as well as being a COMS. ? Now I want to comment on the advisability of marking steps to accommodate low vision at all. In my opinion, and in an ideal world, any person who is sufficiently low vision so as to request stair markings should really be using a cane. ?Marking the stairs that they will use most often may accommodate them for routes using those particular stairs, but then that is restricting them to perhaps only attempt to travel safely and independently on the routes that have been ideally marked. Proper use of the long, white cane, or of a dog guide, can allow them to travel independently and be aware of steps anywhere that they want to go. ? While I sincerely believe that travel skills taught to people who are totally blind? can also work very well for people who have low vision, I do support stair markings with high contrast., particularly upon request from a visually impaired person who feels that they need them for a specific, frequently traveled route or area. I would also agree with Julie that iridescent paint is more durable than tape and runs less of a tripping hazard. This is not, after all, an ideal world. Many low vision people prefer to use visual skills even when some additional environmental adaptation is necessary for them to do so independently. Therefore, I have certainly done my share of stair markings. Michael Byington, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist President of Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. Membership Coordinator for Friends In Art of the American Council of the Blind 712 S. Kansas Avenue Suite 414D-F Topeka, Kansas 66603 (785) 221-7111 ByingtonCOMS@... ? ? . ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Erin Buckley Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2023 10:01 AM To: [email protected]Subject: [OandM] Stair markings ? Hello,?
I am a COMS on Boston's north shore. I am curious about what you usually recommend for stair markings in public schools. I have heard of 2 schools of thought: marking the edge of ALL stairs with high-contrast paint or tape, and marking only the first and last stair.?
What are your thoughts and reasons behind them? Do you have any positive and/or negative experiences with either??
Thanks in advance!
Erin Buckley
|
I agree with Julie, All the stairs!? Eileen
On Thu, Nov 30, 2023 at 11:12?AM Julie Henry < jhenry@...> wrote:
ALL of the stairs. I had a high school student with just low enough vision to get around, with the exception of black stairs (with black tactile edges) in a lower light stairwell. He could not see any of the steps and would slip.?
Julie Henry
O&M Specialist
411 W. Front | Tyler, TX | 75702
O: 903.590.4356
?
?
Caution, external email.
Hello,?
I am a COMS on Boston's north shore. I am curious about what you usually recommend for stair markings in public schools. I have heard of 2 schools of thought: marking the edge of ALL stairs with high-contrast paint or tape, and marking only the first and last
stair.?
What are your thoughts and reasons behind them? Do you have any positive and/or negative experiences with either??
Thanks in advance!
Erin Buckley
-- Eileen K. Dashnaw, OTR/L, COMS
42 Priest Road Salem, New York 12865 phone: (518) 260-6186 fax: (518) 854-9540 ? LEGAL NOTICE
This e-mail transmission, with accompanying records, is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged information belonging to the sender, including individually identifiable health information subject to the privacy and security provisions of HIPAA. This information may be protected by pertinent privilege(s), e.g., attorney-client, doctor-patient, HIPAA etc., which will be enforced to the fullest extent of the law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any examination, analysis, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, sharing, or use of the information in this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message and associated documents in error, please notify the sender immediately for instructions. If this message was received by e-mail, please delete the original message.
--
Eileen K Dashnaw
|
Hi, My experience has been as such: Fluorescent floor paint has worked best. Tape tends to peel up, and can become a trip hazard. It can be personal preference based on the environmental lighting, configuration of the stairs, etc. But I think that top stair and bottom stair of each stair grouping/flight is preferable to every single stair, as that can become visually overwhelming, and harder to visually mark the bottom step.?
Thanks, Ruth
Ruth Weinrib, MA, M.Ed., COMS
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On Nov 30, 2023, at 11:00, Erin Buckley <Ebuckley@...> wrote:
?Hello,?
I am a COMS on Boston's north shore. I am curious about what you usually recommend for stair markings in public schools. I have heard of 2 schools of thought: marking the edge of ALL stairs with high-contrast paint or tape, and marking only the first and last stair.?
What are your thoughts and reasons behind them? Do you have any positive and/or negative experiences with either??
Thanks in advance!
Erin Buckley
|
ALL of the stairs. I had a high school student with just low enough vision to get around, with the exception of black stairs (with black tactile edges) in a lower light stairwell. He could not see any of the steps and would slip.?
Julie Henry
O&M Specialist
411 W. Front | Tyler, TX | 75702
O: 903.590.4356
?
?
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Show quoted text
Caution, external email.
Hello,?
I am a COMS on Boston's north shore. I am curious about what you usually recommend for stair markings in public schools. I have heard of 2 schools of thought: marking the edge of ALL stairs with high-contrast paint or tape, and marking only the first and last
stair.?
What are your thoughts and reasons behind them? Do you have any positive and/or negative experiences with either??
Thanks in advance!
Erin Buckley
|
Hello,?
I am a COMS on Boston's north shore. I am curious about what you usually recommend for stair markings in public schools. I have heard of 2 schools of thought: marking the edge of ALL stairs with high-contrast paint or tape, and marking only the first and last stair.?
What are your thoughts and reasons behind them? Do you have any positive and/or negative experiences with either??
Thanks in advance!
Erin Buckley
|
Announcing an informative webinar
The Orientation and Mobility Specialist Association (OMSA) is proud to host the following webinar with CEUs?on February 8, 2024.
?O&M in the DeafBlind World Thursday, February 8, 2023 7-8:30 PM Eastern Cost: No Charge to Attend Registration:?? ? Presenter: Monica Godfrey-Lehrer Helen Keller National Center Monica hails from the great state of Michigan within the United states and grew up on our family's dairy farm. She has a BA in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Michigan State University and a MA in Blind Rehabilitation from Western Michigan University with a credential in O&M. Monica currently works as the supervisor of the O&M, Low Vision, Audiology and Creative Arts departments at Helen Keller National Center located on the North shore of Long Island in NY. She has been with HKNC for the past 24 years and is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). Monica has a guide dog, Mocha, who is a Facility Dog at HKNC from the Guide Dog Foundation in NY. Mocha provides demonstration walks to participants who are interested in applying for a guide dog. ? ?Details:? Rarely do O&M professionals work with individuals with a combined hearing and vision loss. At HKNC in NY that is our sole customer and through my years of experience at HKNC I've learned that communication is the most paramount consideration when working with this extraordinary population. During this presentation you will learn about the simple accommodations to the O&M curriculum that will assist DeafBlind individuals to navigate more fluidly and also what communication considerations you and your student need to have in place to be successful. ? Participants will Learn:? ·???????Three accommodations to the standard O&M curriculum to consider when working with a DeafBlind individual
·???????How to design effective communication cards for public interactions.
·? ??? ?Communication considerations when working with a sign language interpreter. ? Intended Audience: O&M Instructors ? 1.5 CEUs will be provided exclusively for Current OMSA members.? The CEs are awarded by ACVREP and approved by ACVREP and NBPCB??
Not a member? Join OMSA?.
? All who are interested are welcome to attend. Registered OMSA Members will automatically be emailed a link to the CEU form.?Recordings will be made available in our LiveBinders at??
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Dear everyone! John here: ? Flights booked. Hotel rooms reserved. Tuxedo rented. But the shoes--the question of shoes is yet to be resolved. ? I am excited that we will have a “miniature weather system”—thank you, Andrew Leland, for this wonderful phrase—rolling onto New York next week. My debut poetry book, “How to Communicate,” is a finalist for the National Book Award, and the awards events are taking place Nov. 14 and 15. Winners in five categories will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 15. No one knows who they are—the judges decide on the VERY day! ? The real event, though, is a PT Rocks! gathering. If nothing else, go to that one! Jelica Nuccio, Cristina Hartmann, and I, along with our co-navigators, will be there. Hope to touch you there! Some details below… ? Tuesday, November 14 ? National Book Awards Finalist Reading ? 7 p.m. ? Skirball Center for the Performing Arts New York University 566 Laguardia Place ? Purchase tickets here:? Register for the livestream here:? ? Wednesday, November 15 ? National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner Cipriani Wall Street ? 8 p.m. ceremony begins ? Register for the broadcast here:? ? Thursday, November 16 ? PT Rocks! with Guests John Lee Clark, Jelica Nuccio, and Cristina Hartmann ? Come and meet us, grab some goodies and hot brews from the café inside the bookstore, mingle, and buy some books and have them signed! ? 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ? P&T Knitwear Bookstore 180 Orchard Street New York, NY 10002 ? Books ? “How to Communicate: Poems” can be purchased through your favorite bookstore, but links include: ? Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/132403534X Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-communicate-john-lee-clark/1140914172 ? And my latest book, “Touch the Future: A Manifesto in Essays,” came out last month. Check it out: ? Amazon:
Barnes and Noble:
? Finally, Nov. 11 is the deadline to order copies of my limited-edition 36-page chapbook, “Laura Bridgman”: ? Ko-Fi:
? ?
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Barlow Initiative Comment Request
Janet Barlow Initiative Contact Database
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?The intent of this database is to identify Orientation and Mobility professionals (including Guide Dog Mobility Instructors) with an interest in Environmental Accessibility; in particular as it pertains to intersections, intersection design and functions and street crossing issues. Specifically, this includes but is not limited to: Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS), Tactile Walking Surface Indicators such as Detectable Warnings and others, making Roundabouts accessible, and resolving the conflicting needs of visually impaired pedestrians and bicyclists. Issues related to Transit are also included such as how to make the new “Floating Bus Island” designs accessible.
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How will this database be utilized? What is its purpose?The database may be the source for invitations to online and in-person workshops bringing together Orientation and Mobility professionals and Traffic Engineers to collaborate and learn from each other.
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If this is an area of interest to you,?
?
OMSA – Barlow Initiative CommitteeChair: Jennifer Graham –?jgraham@...
Members:?Beezy Bentzen, Lukas Franck, Sarah Duyck, Bonnie Dodson-Burk, Amanda Gooch, Ex-Official Member: Eileen Siffermann
?
To Promote, Shape and Advance the Profession of Orientation and Mobility
?
Eileen Siffermann, COMS
520-360-5238
?
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Dear everyone! John here: ? Sending another message to let you know that the studio edition has been sold out.? But the regular edition stays on sale until Nov. 11 and there is no limit to how many copies of it that will be printed and hand-stitched. ? “Laura Bridgman” is a 36-page handmade limited edition text featuring a selection of her writings with a biographical and critical introduction by myself. Laura Bridgman was born in 1829 and became a central figure in the formation of the DeafBlind community. The chapbook is designed by Deaf artist Adrean Clark. ? The textured and signed studio edition has a die-cut parchment cover with inlaid webbing and a lace ribbon belly band. ? Price: $20 plus $4.25 shipping SOLD OUT ? The regular edition only has a parchment cover. ? Price: 10 with $4.25 shipping Deadline: November 11, 2023 ? For international shipping, please contact Adrean Clark at adreanaline@... before purchasing. ? Ko-Fi link: ?
? NOTE: “Laura Bridgman” will not be available for sale after November 11. If you would like to be added to John Lee Clark’s mailing list to make sure you don’t miss future installments in the DeafBlind Worlds series, please email him at jlc@... ? A Word document copy of “Laura Bridgman” is available for free to any Braille and large print readers for private perusal. To request an attachment, send a message to jlc@... ? ?
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Re: materials for lite box
I'm not seeing picture cards in the NEWt kit
On Thu, Nov 2, 2023 at 12:33?PM Amy J Scepaniak via <amy.scepaniak= [email protected]> wrote:
Maybe you can take the picture cards from the NEWt Kit and copy them onto clear transparency film (overhead projector sheets).
?
Amy J Scepaniak, M.S., TSVI/COMS?/CLVT?
SD DeafBlind Project Director
USD Center for Disabilities
?
?
Hello Everyone
?I am searching for the level 3 materials for the lite box, particularly?the?medium and small photo cards.? The level 3 materials have been discontinued but I have a baby I would like to work with on identifying pictures in different sizes..?
can anyone recommend a source for 1-2" colored picture cards that can be used with the litebox???
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Re: materials for lite box
Maybe you can take the picture cards from the NEWt Kit and copy them onto clear transparency film (overhead projector sheets).
?
Amy J Scepaniak, M.S., TSVI/COMS?/CLVT?
SD DeafBlind Project Director
USD Center for Disabilities
?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of
Rosemary Gribbin via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 11:28 AM
To: O&M Open International listserv < [email protected]>
Subject: [OandM] materials for lite box
?
Hello Everyone
?I am searching for the level 3 materials for the lite box, particularly?the?medium and small photo cards.? The level 3 materials have been discontinued but I have a baby I would like to work with on identifying pictures in different sizes..?
can anyone recommend a source for 1-2" colored picture cards that can be used with the litebox???
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Hello Everyone ?I am searching for the level 3 materials for the lite box, particularly?the?medium and small photo cards.? The level 3 materials have been discontinued but I have a baby I would like to work with on identifying pictures in different sizes..? can anyone recommend a source for 1-2" colored picture cards that can be used with the litebox???
thank you Rosemary Gribbin TVI, COMS
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Dear everyone! John here: ? Adrean and I are pleased to present the first title of a collaborative series of chapbooks, DeafBlind Worlds, that explores DeafBlind history! ? “Laura Bridgman” is a 36-page handmade limited edition text featuring a selection of her writings with a biographical and critical introduction by myself. Laura Bridgman was born in 1829 and became a central figure in the formation of the DeafBlind community. The chapbook is designed by Deaf artist Adrean Clark. ? The textured and signed studio edition has a die-cut parchment cover with inlaid webbing and a lace ribbon belly band. ? Price: $20 plus $4.25 shipping Deadline: While copies last! ? The regular edition only has a parchment cover. ? Price: 10 with $4.25 shipping Deadline: November 11, 2023 ? For international shipping, please contact Adrean Clark at adreanaline@... before purchasing. ? Ko-Fi link: ?
? NOTE: “Laura Bridgman” will not be available for sale after November 11. If you would like to be added to John Lee Clark’s mailing list to make sure you don’t miss future installments in the DeafBlind Worlds series, please email him at jlc@... ? A Word document copy of “Laura Bridgman” is available for free to any Braille and large print readers for private perusal. To request an attachment, send a message to jlc@... ? ?
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Jack Mitchell reacted to your message:
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Hi Madison,
I have some thoughts based on many years experience as a COMS; veering is a very common issue! Keep in mind I'm simply brainstorming. Without watching you as you cross a street, it is challenging to identify what is causing you to veer. I’m going
to use the terms shorelining/trailing but it could also be touch and drag or 3-point touch (on the sidewalk). Trailing is typically where the cane maintains contact with the wall or grass edge of a sidewalk. Most people use a cane sweep to follow the wall/grass
and not trailing, as trailing does not provide protection on the left/other side.
- Shorelining/trailing can cause travelers to slightly turn their shoulders slightlyto the right (since typically the cane is trailing on the right side). If your body is even slightly twisted, the traveler will often veer to the right in open spaces.
- Suggestion 1: Check your body alignment by standing with your back against the wall. Your heels, bottom, back, shoulders and head should all touch the wall. If your right shoulder touches but not your left, then you probably have a slight twist
to the right. Aligning against the wall will help you “feel” what is a straight body alignment.
- Suggestion 2: Practice walking in a straight line beside a wall without your cane tip arc tapping against the wall. Listen to and use the wall to help you continue straight (echolocation or simply using your senses to be aware that the wall is
there). Think about keeping your body in a straight alignment. Then work on traveling in a straight line thru empty space - initially, use an auditory clue and walk to that sound. Practice walking in a straight line down a normal width sidewalk - without your
cane tip tapping or bumping into the grass.
- My personal opinion is that trailing/shorelining will cause veering into door ways/hallway intersections inside and into driveways/intersections outside. Unless the traveler is looking for a specific landmark, traveling without trailing/shorelining
is best.
- As mentioned by others, having a symmetrical cane arc is also important. Travelers that trail the wall often have less of an arc on the left (away from the wall). A symmetrical cane arc will help you move in a straight line. We teach young students
to initially place their left hand on their right wrist to keep their cane/hand in the center of the body, which is helpful for learning to create a symmetrical cane arc. Most adults will choose to have their right hand at the side of their body (more comfortable
position!), but then must relearn the cane arc to make a wider sweep on the left side to provide complete coverage and to travel in a straight line.
- Suggestion 1: Ask a friend (or your O&M) to stand in front of you, facing you, with their feet slightly wider than your shoulders. You can gently sweep your cane from side to side using your normal cane arc. Does your cane tip touch both feet?
Have the same force when it comes in contact with both feet? This is also good practice to understand if your cane arc is too wide, not wide enough, or not symmetrical.
- Lining up with curbs: Most of the curbs in my area will NOT give a good line of direction for a straight street crossing. This is particularly true in small towns/suburbs. Many of the curbs are rounded and often the location of the sidewalk itself
is not in the ideal position for a straight street crossing. If you are crossing the same streets, you can learn the best location and how to use the curb/sidewalk/other landmarks at that specific intersection to line up with. However, this will not help at
unfamiliar street crossings. Note: Many curbs appear to feel the same (with a lip), but the difference is that the sidewalk may meet at a 90 degree (T) to the curb, or the sidewalk may meet on the curve of the curb. Lining up where it is curving will definitely
cause veering! Detectable warnings (yellow bumps) are often NOT aligned for straight street crossings!
- Suggestion 1: When walking down the sidewalk, approach the intersection using a straight line of travel. Maintain the line of direction when approaching the curb and waiting for clear street to cross. As I tell my young students, “Plant your feet
like a tree!” And do not adjust your feet to line up with the curb.
- First step into the street: Many of my students approach the intersection with a straight line of direction, plant their feet, sweep to make sure the first step into the street is clear (no gutter or debris) and then when it is time to cross, the
first step into the street is off, causing them to veer.
- Suggestion 1: The first step into the street is critical! If the body is slightly turned to listen to traffic, the step is small, there is a little anxiety about stepping into the street, or for other reasons, that first step is not straight (often
the toe is turned in). Most people will always start walking with the same foot. (Typically right handed people will step with the right foot first - but not always!) If the right foot leads and the toe is turned in, then often the person will veer to the
left. Practice taking a good first step - big enough to clean a dip for the gutter or debris and that the foot is in a straight alignment. With my young students, we practiced that first step off the curb multiple times in a row. Some students learned to straighten
their feet, while others found it was easier to understand that the first step was consistently crooked and to adjust the second step.
- Sounds like you are already using traffic sounds for alignment. Good deal!
- It’s helpful to think of a spot directly across the street where you want to go. If you can, practice first on quiet streets. Ask someone to stand at the other side and talk to you or clap so you can travel to that place. With my young kids, after
they plant their feet, I ask them to point to the sidewalk on the other side of the street. This way they think about that straight line before stepping off the curb and I can confirm if they have it correctly in their mind.
I hope this helps!
Diane
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On Oct 25, 2023, at 10:25 PM, Jack Mitchell < jmitchell@...> wrote:
You say that you "sweep a lot"....when you are not shorelining, do you maintain a relatively symmetrical cane arc covering the area in front of you, or does your arc swing further out to one side or the other?? In my students when the cane starts going further
out to one side they generally start veering in the same direction.....
While it is definitely good to be able to reduce veering, I agree with Michael that veering is going to happen sometimes, and that more important than trying to completely eliminate veering is 1) being able to tell that you have veered (and which way) and 2)
knowing what to do to recover from that veer.
J
Generally away from the intersection and it doesn’t seem to matter which side it’s on. Yes I do veer when I’m walking in other places. I shoreline but also sweep a lot. I use traffic
sounds and the curb to line up. It doesn’t seem to matter though a lot of curbs in our area are the same; little lips. Not sure if a video tape is possible..
?
?
Hi Madison,
You are not alone - there are many travelers who veer when crossing streets! There are so many things that can cause veering. Can I ask some questions to see if we can determine what
is causing you to veer and then we can brainstorm things to try?
Do you veer into or away from the intersection? Does it make a difference if the intersection is on your right or on your left??
Do you veer when walking down a hallway, sidewalk or through open spaces?
Do you shoreline or trail the wall or grass line?
What do you use to line up or for you line of direction when crossing an intersection?
Does it matter what kind of curb is at the intersection?
If it is possible, have someone video tape you while approaching, waiting at the curb and crossing an intersection? (If you are able to safely get a video and you do not want to share
the video on the list serve, feel free to send it directly to me. I’ll be happy to review it and hopefully give you some pointers.)
?
Walking quickly seems to help too.?
?
Hello,
If you use the iOS app OKO and there's a stoplight, you can keep yourself oriented to the stoplight which will keep you from veering significantly. It
requires you to hold the phone steady (either on a neck strap or in your hand).
?
On Wed, Oct 25, 2023 at 6:16?AM Gerald Levy via??<bwaylimited=[email protected]>
wrote:
?
Veering off course seems to be a problem for many cane users.? There is no easy solution.? Some exceptional blind cane users claim they can guide
themselves in a straight line by using echolocation like a bat, basically flicking their tongues back and forthe like a freaking reptile to sense environmental vibrations to guide them.? A blind O&M instructor named Dan Kish has tried to popularize the use
of echolocation by blind pedestrians, but there is a lot of controversy over whether this technique really works or is just a bunch of malarkey. And of course, echolocation would be totally useless for someone who is also deaf or hearing impaired in addition
to being blind, and sadly, most O&M instructors have no clue how to train a blind client who is also hearing impaired and do not understand that wearing hearing aids is not a panacea. Some busy intersections in major cities now have audible traffic signals
that make it a little easier for blind pedestrians to guide themselves in a straight line from one side of the street to the other, but they are not always kept in working order and they tend to be few and far between, and incredibly, their installation has
been ? opposed by the largest, so-called blindness advocacy organization in the US. ???
?
Gerald?
?
?
On 10/25/2023 12:43 AM, Madison Martin wrote:
Hi all,
I tend to veer a lot especially when crossing streets, my instructor says this is normal but I still find it annoying. Is this true and if so is there
anything that I can do to prevent it from happening alltogether or at least reduce the chances of it happening? If it maters at all I use a folding cane with a roller ball tip because apparently it works the best on all surfaces. Look forward to any thoughts
that anyone has. Thanks
Madison
You say that you "sweep a
lot"....when you are not shorelining, do you maintain a relatively symmetrical cane arc covering the area in front of you, or does your arc swing further out to one side or the other?? In my students when the cane starts going further out to one side they
generally start veering in the same direction.....?
?
|
Chris Tabb
Amy J Scepaniak