I recall in the 1950's listening to some older blind people; who came to our
agency for the blind. They did make use of those taps on their shoes. As they
grew up blind prior to the advent of the long cane and its techniques.
----- Original Message -----
From: CJ &AA MAY
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2016 11:30 AM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Echolocation anyone?
I was never even aware I was using echo location until it came into the
limelight a few years back when a tv company spotlighted a man in America with
exceptional echo location abilities.
The more I think about it, the more aware I become on how much I use it. When
working my dog I "sense" when the shoreline comes closer or further away which
helps me identify where I am in a busy shopping precinct and when to give
instructions for my dog to find the door I want;
In Marks & Spencers, for example, I walk through the clothing department but
can "sense" when the area opens up into the food hall and know when to direct
my dog off to the right to find the counters;
When alighting from a train at Deal, I walk along the platform and can
"sense" when I walk under the bridge and I know to turn my dog off to find the
steps to cross same. These are just a few of the examples of when I find echo
location helpful. But I don't possess it to the extent that the American guy
has (whose name I have forgotten) and clicking doesn't really do much for me.
But I suspect that subconsciously this is why traditionally the blind man
taps his cane and I do know several blind men who like to wear metal tipped
shoes because of the sound they create.
However, it only has to be a windy day or for me to have an ear infection, to
which I am prone in the winter, and it all goes out of the window! I do still
go out but have to rely entirely on my dog and I find this really stressful and
there are nearly always little minor disasters.
Alison