Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Judging short distances? (self.Blind)
submitted by codeofdusk
Hello,
I was born totally blind if that matters (no visual reference points).
For long distances (more than about a few kilometers), I've always used travel time by car as a reference. I know that a good rule of thumb for car speed is 100 km/h, so it'd take roughly 10 hours to go 1000 km, for example.
For shorter distances, I don't really have good reference points – I know that 100 m is twice as long as 50 m, for example, but what does that really mean in practical terms? Any strategies for estimating how far I've walked, for example, or understanding short distance when it's given to me?
I was born totally blind if that matters (no visual reference points).
For long distances (more than about a few kilometers), I've always used travel time by car as a reference. I know that a good rule of thumb for car speed is 100 km/h, so it'd take roughly 10 hours to go 1000 km, for example.
For shorter distances, I don't really have good reference points – I know that 100 m is twice as long as 50 m, for example, but what does that really mean in practical terms? Any strategies for estimating how far I've walked, for example, or understanding short distance when it's given to me?
btek 1 points 4y ago
I'd say measure your average step distance ( in centimeters ) and then just count your steps.
typically on average one step is ~ 50cm, which makes it easy to do the math
typically on average one step is ~ 50cm, which makes it easy to do the math
colako 1 points 4y ago
You can walk 400 m in 5 minutes at normal pace. A street block is usually between 100-200 m so that is another reference.
flaminboxofhate 1 points 4y ago
I've always had the notion that an average regular adult step is about 1 meter. And a childs long step is also about 1 meter. Maybe counting your steps might be useful in some situations.
That_Dog_Nextdoor 1 points 4y ago
Although if you aren't super tall or not taking pretty big steps. Likely it isn't one meter.
flaminboxofhate 1 points 4y ago
Yes but i'd say it's very close. Not big steps but definetly a bit longer than a relaxed walking gait. No one's walking speed is 1 meter per step normally. It's kinda a sweet spot between trying to get the furthest in one step and a regular step.
ENTJ351 1 points 4y ago
Use timing it’s called time distance estimation. Use time rather than distance or a conceptual mapping.
illbecountingclouds 1 points 4y ago
A surveyor's wheel, also called a trundle wheel (along with many other names), is basically a circular ruler on a stick that clicks every time it's rolled over a certain distance, like a foot or meter. You could get yourself one of those and wander around with it for a bit, counting the clicks to see how long you take to go different distances at different speeds.
retrolental_morose 1 points 4y ago
Theres software, like loadstoneGPS for the iPhone, that will let you add 2 points to a database and see howefar is between.
When I was at elementary school we used metre sticks to measure short walks, it was very enlightening .'
When I was at elementary school we used metre sticks to measure short walks, it was very enlightening .'
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