Teaching the Cane and Non-Visual Skills
  
This page has links to articles, presentations, and web pages that address the issue of teaching the use of the cane and other non-visual skills.
 
Stages of Learning to Use a Cane
Process of learning to use a cane, and suggestions for overcoming difficulties in achieving proficiency.
Spring 2005 Newsletter; AER Orientation and Mobility Division
 
Cane information:
  • Walking in Step: Why Does It Matter?
  • Three things that the cane may not detect

    Alternative Mobility Device
    Illustrates an alternative to the long cane.

    Bundu basher
    Illustrates a cane tip designed for hiking and traveling through natural areas.

    Support Cane Used with Long "Probing" Cane
    Illustrates a support cane and long cane being used together.
     
    Teaching Use of Visual and Non-Visual Techniques
    Addresses the issue of blindfolding
    Part of joint presentation with Dr. William Wiener: "Development of O&M Services and Use of Innovative Approaches"
    National Conference for Residential Training Centers for the Blind, Albuquerque, New Mexico, November 13, 2002
     
    Examples of Strategies for Teaching Non-Visual Skills and Use of Non-Visual Information
     
    "Traditional" O&M in the Modern Environment: Hallmarks of a Quality O&M Program
    Presentation for panel regarding "Traditional" O&M and Structured Discovery Learning
    National Council of State Agencies for the Blind, April 26, 2007, Bethesda, Maryland
  • Includes link to Decisions, Decisions: Who Knows What's Best for the Client?
     
    Non-visual cues or strategies for specific street-crossing tasks
  • Non-visual strategies for aligning to cross streets
  • What Cues do Blind People Use to Recognize a Street in the Absence of a Curb?
     
    Teaching the Use of Hearing
    Ideas and strategies from O&M specialists for teaching blind people to maximize the use of their hearing.
    March, 1999 newsletter; Metropolitan Washington Orientation and Mobility Association (WOMA)
     
    Make Your Own Vision Impairment Simulators
    Althought it is not directly related to teaching non-visual skills, this article may be of interest to those who want to simulate visual impairments. It includes
  • information on functional visual effects by Dr. Duane Geruschat, COMS;
  • considerations in the use of vision simulators by Dr. Laura Bozeman, COMS; and
  • a "blindness simulation" involving no vision simulators!
    January 1998 newsletter, DC-Maryland Chapter
    Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
     
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