I’ve got RP, but a decent amount of central vision. I can still see cars if I’m looking right at them, people walking right at me, usually find cross I’ve got RP, but a decent amount of central vision. I can still see cars if I’m looking right at them, people walking right at me, find crosswalks, that sort of thing. But I use a white cane because smaller objects, curbs, potholes, glass doors, etc. are a giant problem without it. I had basic O and M training to use the cane with that level of vision. But as my vision continues to deteriorate, I’m sure I’ll need additional training for stuff like crossing uncontrolled intersections, getting from place to place without so many visual cues as I have now, walking in a reasonably straight line without visual cues, getting from place to place without getting disoriented, and so forth. My question is this: I’m thinking seriously about moving to a town that has way better walkability than where I am now (that and affordability would be the two main reasons for moving). But there appear to be no available OM specialists anywhere near it. So is it a really stupid idea to move there, or given that I’ve got the basic training and some residual v ision, can I pick up these other skills some other way? And if so, what other ways would you suggest?

  • NoConfidence_2192
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    1 year ago

    Darn! I did it again!

    I colored your situation with my own instead getting more information about what you really needed and answering your question. It is a bad habit and I apologize.

    NFB had what’s now a booklet that helped me a lot at the time: Cane: Instructions in Cane Travel for Blind People

    • I particularly found section 3 Actually Walking Around pretty useful in the short term but in the end it has all proved useful so the entire thing was a good read

    It looks like it could be a useful read for a sighted person trying to spot you as well

    There have been a number of things I have listened to and read since that have provided some help as well…but it was harder to remember where I found them. If I hadn’t remembered originally finding the NFB one above on the page for their Free White Cane Program I might not of known where to find that either.

    As for my situation, that is good advice that I will be following until I can make my trip and get that in person training. I can do well enough with the day to day now. My end goal, if I can manage to afford it, is to independently travel as much as I can. I never took the time to do that back when I could still see and am regretting it a bit. My O&M skills could use a bit more finesse for unfamiliar areas that I may not have as much time to learn as I would like.