This study evaluated effects of hand position when the long cane is used to assist travel for individuals with severe visual impairments. Subjects were 15 mobility instructors. The study found that the style with which one holds the cane when using the touch technique does affect detection distance for both surface and object preview. (DB)

The author discusses ways in which miniatures and schematic drawings can help blind persons deal with information provided by sonicguide. (CL)

Two articles discuss the compatibility of the Sonicguide, long cane, and guide dogs in increasing the mobility of visually impaired individuals. (PHR)

Three blind adults were trained in a 7-step structured procedure for asking questions to solicit information concerning the location of businesses they wished to visit. Completeness of information obtained increased dramatically with the use of this procedure. (Author/DB)

This article reports the measurement of the "veering tendency" of 4 blind pedestrians over 3 15-trial test sessions. Findings illustrate between-subject and within-subject differences in patterns of veering, and the implications of these differences for orientation and mobility instruction are discussed. (Author)

Travelers with visual impairments and orientation and mobility (O&M) instructors were assessed in their performance of the two-point touch cane technique. Both groups deviated similarly from classical stipulations of the technique, having wider arc widths and hand positions off of midline. Measures of body coverage and rhythm were less than ideal.…

The paper reports on a study aimed at developing: (1) a compendium of environmental sensing skills and behaviors, (2) a set of selection procedures and performance trials for matching blind candidates with electronic travel aids, (3) a standard evaluation of pre- and post-training performance, and (4) training guidelines. The materials are noted…

The purpose of this demonstration project was to provide orientation and mobility services for the blind in Missouri. Emphasis was placed on mobility training, because the loss of mobility by the blind person appeared to be the most severe problem. Training for the blind individual began at home, where he was taught to move about comfortably in…

Reported are results of using the Sonicguide, a device which allows the wearer to judge distances and presence of objects in the travel path, with four blind children aged 5 to 17. (CL)

An objective evaluation of the Sonic Pathfinder, a new ultrasonic mobility aid, showed that use of the aid changes mobility in many ways. Reduced perception of environmental sounds was not reflected in performance. The majority of users traveled slowly and exhibited less than optimal strategies. (Author/CL)

Four groups (sighted, blindfolded sighted, legally blind, and blind) of adults were trained to traverse a five-block route in a residential neighborhood and were then asked to reconstruct the route from memory. Results showed the blind and sighted adults demonstrated similar abilities to learn routes but showed significant differences in memorial…

A travel cane was adapted for use by a 10-year-old boy with cortical blindness, severe mental retardation and cerebral palsy affecting his left arm and leg. The Specific Adaptation Mobility Cane utilizes the affected arm to hold the cane while leaving the other hand free for trailing walls, opening doors, carrying objects, and holding handrails.…

This article reviews research on the biomechanical elements related to the most commonly used long cane technique, the two-point touch, by individuals with blindness or low vision. The use of several natural biomechanical tendencies supports the contention that the technique is inherently efficient. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

This study evaluated the ability of 40 blind adults to spatially organize large outdoor places using a verbal response survey and a near space lapboard task. The study found a high correlation between performances on the large outdoor environment with and without sighted guide tasks. The lapboard task also predicted performance in the outdoor…