TravelBy: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Updated June 9, 2019 Students who are blind or visually impaired and will be independent travelers will need to learn strategies for accessing transportation, planning a route, and traveling. Being a Non-DriverMost students who are visually impaired will not have enough vision to be a driver. These students will need to acquire skills in seeking out and arranging for their transportation needs as well as coping with the reality of not being able to be a driver. To help students learn skills needed to be a non-driver, encourage the student to:
Access TransportationStudents will need to learn various ways in which they can access transportation in their area. They should also be familiarized with ways people in other cities are able to access transportation. Encourage the student to:
Gather Information on Low Vision & Bioptic DrivingSome states allow people with low vision to use bioptic devices for driving, while in other states it is illegal. The student will need to first determine whether they meet the unaided and aided visual requirements of the state in order to pursue driving with low vision. If the student is a potential candidate for using bioptics for driving, they will need to learn to:
Gather Information on Budgeting for TransportationTransportation is expensive whether you provide your own transportation or use public transportation. To prepare the student for budgeting for transportation, have the student:
Create & Follow Routes & DirectionsAnyone who plans to travel needs to understand where they want to go. This is no different for a person who is blind or visually impaired. The Orientation & Mobility specialist will work specifically with students on how to create and follow routes and directions. As part of this training, the student should learn how to:
Problem Solve as it Relates to TravelEveryone encounters problems with travel from time to time. Students need to plan for such problems and problem solve ahead of time as to how to handle the problems in order to be prepared. Have the student:
Franki Napolitano has written a blog about Using Airports with Sensory Impairments to address the challenges of navigating the airport. Although the focus of the study was in UK airports, the tips are helpful for all airports.
IGLU Cruise features a must-read guide by Lisa Bonet if you are you considering going on a cruise with a guide dog. Lisa provides a list of well thought out tips to help you prepare for and enjoy your cruise with your companion!
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Orientation & Mobility Skills
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