[misc.handicap] Cane Travel

Bill.Koppelmann@f114.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Koppelmann) (05/24/91)

Index Number: 15787

Eric,
I'm not completely sure, but I think you agree with me when it comes to the
teaching of cane techniques.  I personally wish I had had a blind teacher far
sooner than I did.  It wasn't until I had a partial teaching me in the early
80's that I began to really find out what my bad habits are where can
technique is concerned.  I still have some trouble using proper cane
technique, but I at least know what is available to me.
Not only that, but I feel that there is nothing like the peer support that
another blind person gives to one who is learning the technique.

                        Boulder Bill

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Jim.Vorheis@p0.f60.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Jim Vorheis) (06/05/91)

Index Number: 15975

 >  Now, as to the RTD thing,  I can't agree with you more on the issue
 >  of calling stops.  I was just talking with a Boulder driver the other
 >  day on that issue, and he said that the other passengers would give
 >  him flack if he called the stops.  I think that's an outright lie,
 >  and don't believe it for a second, but would like your thoughts on it
 >  as well.

I HARDLY ever ride the RTD (Reason To Drive) any more ... I did ride the
Mall Shuttle on Tuesday though.  On the Mall the street signs are large
and very easy to see, but the driver (at least on the shuttle I rode on)
called out each and every street name at each stop on every block.

When I was a kid I rode the #5 Argo from 50th and Federal to 16th and
California and can still remember the drivers would call out EACH and
EVERY stop along the line.  I think that the drivers today are just too
damn lazy to even be the least bit courtious.

A friend of mine, who was a paraplegic, would relate to me the horror
stories of trying to get help in the winter in getting on the bus.  Some
of the drivers that drove the buses with the lifts wouldn't even stop when
she was the only one at the bus stop.  Even complaining to RTD brought no
satisfaction so she just wouldn't come to "group" during the winter.

jdv

PS ... My board phone number is listed in the Origin line.

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