Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Have you ever wondered what an O&M Specialist keeps in their toolbox. Check out my video to get an idea of some of the goodies I use. (youtu.be)
submitted by Blindonthemove
BlakeBlues 3 points 2y ago
Nice variety of tools! Things to keep in mind for myself. I'm finishing up my O&M program in the summer
DrillInstructorJan 3 points 2y ago
How do you guys even get people to use the cane?
I am not an O and M (I'll say that again: I am not an orientation and mobility instructor) but I quite frequently find myself trying to persuade people to get the cane out in public.
Where's your cane? In your bag? What's it doing in there? Is it shy? Wow, that's amazing, you have the world's first agoraphobic cane. Yes, I know Rachel is here, but you were saying that no man would ever love you now you can't see, and they're going to be even less interested if you walk around dangling from another woman like a drunken prom date. Or maybe not, actually, but that's a discussion for another time. Anyway, get the cane out. You don't need it? OK, so why are you still limping from the last time you said that? Yes, I know someone left that signboard/bollard/piece of blameless street furniture in a really unreasonable position, but people can be so unreasonable sometimes.
The conclusion from this is that all of the stuff mentioned in the video is good, but I think I need one of those electric shock cattle prods for the persuasion of the unwilling.
I am not an O and M (I'll say that again: I am not an orientation and mobility instructor) but I quite frequently find myself trying to persuade people to get the cane out in public.
Where's your cane? In your bag? What's it doing in there? Is it shy? Wow, that's amazing, you have the world's first agoraphobic cane. Yes, I know Rachel is here, but you were saying that no man would ever love you now you can't see, and they're going to be even less interested if you walk around dangling from another woman like a drunken prom date. Or maybe not, actually, but that's a discussion for another time. Anyway, get the cane out. You don't need it? OK, so why are you still limping from the last time you said that? Yes, I know someone left that signboard/bollard/piece of blameless street furniture in a really unreasonable position, but people can be so unreasonable sometimes.
The conclusion from this is that all of the stuff mentioned in the video is good, but I think I need one of those electric shock cattle prods for the persuasion of the unwilling.
MostlyBlindGamer 2 points 2y ago
Maybe it's a little bit like substance abuse? First you need to accept you have a problem.
For a lot of people there's an inner struggle. An identity crisis. If you're out with a cane, you're blind (with all the baggage that can come with). If not, you're just having a little bit of a hard time.
Tu be fair though for a lot of people a cane isn't always necessary. Maybe you have decent enough vision during the day, but struggle in the dark, for example.
For a lot of people there's an inner struggle. An identity crisis. If you're out with a cane, you're blind (with all the baggage that can come with). If not, you're just having a little bit of a hard time.
Tu be fair though for a lot of people a cane isn't always necessary. Maybe you have decent enough vision during the day, but struggle in the dark, for example.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
You can lead a horse to water but can’t make it drink.
If I don’t want to use something I won’t and saying that will just get me to fire back at you or like clown around and completely laugh you off.
If I don’t want to use something I won’t and saying that will just get me to fire back at you or like clown around and completely laugh you off.
KillerLag 1 points 2y ago
I find it is most useful to try to convince someone that it is useful. I once had a teen who didn't want other people to know he had vision issues. I said to him "Look... during this lesson, you've already walked into two lockers. They know your blind. At least this way, you aren't walking into lockers".
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
[deleted]
DrillInstructorJan 1 points 2y ago
Ha, I have said almost exactly the same thing. What would you rather be, someone who isn't blind but collides with unyielding objects for some unknown reason, or someone who uses a cane and er, doesn't.
BlakeBlues 0 points 2y ago
The NFB believes that one should always keep their cane out and that it should be a rigid cane to mitigate the hiding. Others may not be as worried about how you present yourself. Both are valid. We live in a world where having a visible disability can hurt and it can help.
WorldlyLingonberry40 1 points 1y ago
When I asked, the responce was, if the cane is not collapsed and in a bag, the cane is ready to be used.
WorldlyLingonberry40 1 points 1y ago
Hi, the NFB does not have this as one of their phylosophies. The Independence Market sells NFB styled canes that collapse and also telescoping canes. The NFB does give away freewhite canes, and these are non-collapsible canes.
BlakeBlues 1 points 1y ago
It shows up in structured discovery and throughout their trainings. It has been a longstanding point of significance, and while they sell collapsible canes, they place different weight on the cane than the AFB and "standard" O&M philosophy
KillerLag 3 points 2y ago
I'm also an O&M instructor, from Canada!
As I was watching, I was chuckling because you carry a lot of the same stuff I use. Like, even the same brand (Ambutech, Aftershokz, etc).
Out of curiosity, how often do you find clients use the handheld telescope nowadays? I used to carry one around, but so many of my clients use smartphones nowadays, it was easier/more convenient for them to use the camera on their smartphones (or Magnify on iPhones, which is the same basic thing).
My tactile maps usually use puff paint, but I also glue pipe cleaners for different materials down. If you have access to a 3D printer, something you may find useful (https://touch-mapper.org/en/). It has some issues, and there isn't much to differentiate between the roads, but the STL file can be created automatically without any editing, which is pretty impressive.
We mostly use clear or orange bump dots up here in Canada (although I know other colour options are available, just uncommon). We sometimes use velcro stickers as well (which can give us two different surfaces to differentiate, and it helps if someone has neuropathy. The texture can help it stand out).
Do you carry a flashlight? I carry a flashlight to show clients what a decent flashlight output can do. Many of my clients carry dollar store flashlights, which claim a high output but have no throw. But then I pull out mine, and it puts out a decent 200 lumen, which is noticeable (I used to have an even high one, but it broke).
As I was watching, I was chuckling because you carry a lot of the same stuff I use. Like, even the same brand (Ambutech, Aftershokz, etc).
Out of curiosity, how often do you find clients use the handheld telescope nowadays? I used to carry one around, but so many of my clients use smartphones nowadays, it was easier/more convenient for them to use the camera on their smartphones (or Magnify on iPhones, which is the same basic thing).
My tactile maps usually use puff paint, but I also glue pipe cleaners for different materials down. If you have access to a 3D printer, something you may find useful (https://touch-mapper.org/en/). It has some issues, and there isn't much to differentiate between the roads, but the STL file can be created automatically without any editing, which is pretty impressive.
We mostly use clear or orange bump dots up here in Canada (although I know other colour options are available, just uncommon). We sometimes use velcro stickers as well (which can give us two different surfaces to differentiate, and it helps if someone has neuropathy. The texture can help it stand out).
Do you carry a flashlight? I carry a flashlight to show clients what a decent flashlight output can do. Many of my clients carry dollar store flashlights, which claim a high output but have no throw. But then I pull out mine, and it puts out a decent 200 lumen, which is noticeable (I used to have an even high one, but it broke).
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