The development of the Sonic Pathfinder, a new electronic travel aid, is described. The aim has been to produce an aid that gives the user useful information for safe, stress-free travel rather than to provide an electronic surrogate for vision. (Author/CL)

The article describes how to train children with physical, perceptual, or mental handicaps to use public transportation. (Author/KW)

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)

This report was released by the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) on January 23, 2008. Orientation refers to one's ability to determine his/her location and relationship with other objects in the environment. Mobility refers to one's ability to move about in the environment. Orientation and mobility training may be provided to…

Reported were the results of a contract that involved identification, description, and categorization of the nature of transportation problems for the mentally retarded by means of analysis of existing studies, two surveys, and an inventory of specialized programs and systems operating in the United States. One major problem was found to be…

A program combining classroom and community training in bus-riding skills to developmentaly disabled adults featured slide presentations, role playing, and performance in the natural environment. Test trials showed that all Ss learned necessary bus-riding skills and maintained their performance throughout the follow-up period of at least one year.…

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

Measurement of stress in nonvisual travel was attempted with both an electromyograph and a galvonic skin response unit in four travel situations. Results revealed significantly greater stress response when unexpected contact with objects was made than with expected contacts and street crossings. Instructors' intervention also increased stress.…

Eight learning disabled males (16 to 17 years old) participated in a driver education unit via a visual response system, allowing students greater response and feedback. After the conclusion of the unit, all Ss scored above the criterion established by the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws. (CL)

Use of the Sonicguide, a binaural sensory aid, by a quadraplegic, totally blind 18-year-old student is described. The rationale for training, device adaptations, and the eventual use of the device as a primary mobility aid in areas familiar to the student are explained. (Author/MC)

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)