Echolocation Makes Mountain Biking, Skiing Possible For The Blind

This is IDIOTIC! Mountain biking is extremely dangerous even for
people who CAN see! See http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande/mtb_dangerous.

Mike


http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2011/06/0...extreme-sports

Echolocation Makes Mountain Biking, Skiing Possible For The Blind

Here & Now Guest:

Brian Bushway, mobility coach at World Access for the Blind

If you’re blind, you may have thought sports like skate boarding and
mountain biking were off limits. But Daniel Kish, founder of World
Access for the Blind has other ideas.

He’s created a method of echolocation called “Flash Sonar,” that
allows those without sight to navigate by making clicking sounds and
hearing them echo back.

The method has enabled blind people to skate board, ski and mountain
bike.

It has also drawn controversy for being risky. In an email listserve,
a National Federation for the Blind commenter termed it “disgraceful”
for drawing unnecessary attention to blind people through “abnormal”
behavior.

Brian Bushway, a former student who now trains others in flash sonar,
defended Flash Sonar to Here & Now’s Robin Young, saying it provides
unparalleled independence for the blind. “If you can use a subtle
tongue click, there really isn’t anywhere in the world that a blind
person cannot get to.”

Actually this is very cool, especially for skiing. Here in VT
we have Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports who find ways for
people with challenges ranging from quadriplegia, deafness,
blindness, birth and genetic disorders enjoy the sports that
many of us "normal" people enjoy. I have never skied with a
blind person (it takes a bit of training) but I know many
people who have. I think this technology could be a boon to
sight impaired people in more ways than just sports.

And Mikey, please loose the hypocritical stance that you are
concerned about the health of people who engage in inherently
dangerous sports. You would be pleased if all mountain bikers
met an untimely death. You've showed this time and again.



On 06/10/2011 12:48 PM, Mike Vandeman wrote:
This is IDIOTIC! Mountain biking is extremely dangerous even for
people who CAN see! See http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande/mtb_dangerous.

Mike


http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2011/06/0...extreme-sports

Echolocation Makes Mountain Biking, Skiing Possible For The Blind

Here& Now Guest:

Brian Bushway, mobility coach at World Access for the Blind

If you’re blind, you may have thought sports like skate boarding and
mountain biking were off limits. But Daniel Kish, founder of World
Access for the Blind has other ideas.

He’s created a method of echolocation called “Flash Sonar,” that
allows those without sight to navigate by making clicking sounds and
hearing them echo back.

The method has enabled blind people to skate board, ski and mountain
bike.

It has also drawn controversy for being risky. In an email listserve,
a National Federation for the Blind commenter termed it “disgraceful”
for drawing unnecessary attention to blind people through “abnormal”
behavior.

Brian Bushway, a former student who now trains others in flash sonar,
defended Flash Sonar to Here& Now’s Robin Young, saying it provides
unparalleled independence for the blind. “If you can use a subtle
tongue click, there really isn’t anywhere in the world that a blind
person cannot get to.”

"VtSkier" wrote in message
...
[...]
And Mikey, please loose the hypocritical stance that you are
concerned about the health of people who engage in inherently
dangerous sports. You would be pleased if all mountain bikers
met an untimely death. You've showed this time and again.

You have got Mr. Vandeman confused with me. I rejoice whenever a mountain
biker meets an untimely death. It is always good riddance to bad rubbish!

--
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota