Research Review:
Walk With Me: Joining Efforts to Improve Transit in the United States
Bachofer, C. (2024). Walk With Me: Joining Efforts to Improve Transit in the United States. JVIB, 118(5).
This is actually a book review of Ann Letitia Zivarts’ When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency by Cindy Bachofer. I wish I had time to read this book, but I feel that Bachofer does a nice job of describing the contents, and that it is applicable to us as O&Ms and TVIs who try to help our older students and families with transit issues.
The author of the book is visually impaired and has worked as an advocate of nondriver policy within the state of Washington, where she lives, and across the U.S. She describes how everyone can work toward a more equitable system of transit.
The author of the article liked the term “active traveler” rather than “nondriver”, as it described her lifestyle and was much more positive. Bachofer felt that the book described her life of being a bus rider, who waits in adverse weather conditions to catch the bus.
The author of the book realizes that her suggestions are scary to those who have always used a car as a means of transportation. Her ideas would involve changing drivers’ views of communities that are not dependent upon cars, but involve safer roadways, walkable commutes, and improved air quality.
The following mobility needs were listed:
*Well maintained sidewalks to connect residential areas to businesses and healthcare offices/hospitals.
*Accessible and safe crosswalks and intersections.
*Increased safety measures with traffic and roadways, so that all travelers will feel safer.
The author of the book discusses the benefits of a walkable community. This would include a neighborhood with grocery stores, restaurants, healthcare services all within walking distance of those living in the community. Nondrivers would be able to get to appointments and complete errands without waiting 2 to 3 hours versus those who accomplish the same tasks in a 30 minute car drive. Unfortunately, these types of communities have a high real estate price tag. She also points out that the government has perpetrated the purchase of cars as being part of the “American Dream”. Those without cars are typically pitied. She asks that drivers consider the disparity between themselves and nondrivers, and that nondrivers assist in pushing elected officials to understand the needs of nondrivers.
Though Bochofer applauds Zivarts’ book, she also offers that there is no suggested plan in the book to put into place the ideas on how an integrated “walkable” community can be funded. Bochofer was pleased that Zivarts included the valuable work of Michael McGnn, the Director of America Walks. This organization is dedicated to creating and supporting walkable communities that are safe and affordable. Bochofer also wishes that Zivarts had included data concerning children who are and will continue to be nondrivers. Bochofer offers the book Finding Wheels: Strategies to Build Independent Travel Skills for Those with Visual Impairments as an excellent resource for students, families, and teachers.
Bochofer recommends Zivarts book, When Driving is Not an Option. Zivarts’ shares stories from her own experiences with active travel in a number of different sized communities. She advocates for change that will benefit both drivers and nondrivers.
I am Evan Wilkerson and I have been using the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses for several months now. I find that they have several uses for blind and visually impaired users. First, they can help with sorting laundry. I just say, “Hey Meta look and tell me what color this is.” It will then tell me the color and then I can follow up with a question like would this go in a load of dark or light laundry. In addition, it can help with matching clothes to make an outfit. I have also found it useful for having directions while in a Lyft ride. Before, I would have corded earbuds and listen to directions from my phone. Now, the direction still come from my phone but I can hear them through my glasses. They can also be used for general navigation, such as if you don’t know where a door is, you can ask the glasses to look and tell you where the door is. This doesn’t always work and can depend on what angle you are looking from. I have also found that it is easier to determine what an item is with the glasses than other apps like Seeing AI. As of recently, they also have the ability to use Be My Eyes, although I’m not sure how well the integration works as I have not tested it yet. The only downside to these is that they will not identify things like medicines or read bills that come in the mail. This is more to do with the guardrails in place on the AI than the general form of the glasses.
My name is Olivia and I am a college student attending Liberty University with a major in Aviation Safety Management. I am visually impaired, and use a laptop with screen reader and/or braille display to complete all of my coursework. I have been using the Ray Ban Meta smart glasses for roughly three months now and have found them to be extremely helpful. The glasses connect with a smartphone, and can read anything from text messages to text held up in front of the glasses. There are two cameras, one on the end of each arm, that can be used to scan a room, piece of clothing, or piece of paper and read/describe it.
I primarily use the glasses for matching outfits, reading paper handouts, or any other situation on campus where they might come in handy. The glasses use AI, which I have found helps descriptions be more detailed. Rather than saying something like “Pink shirt,” it describes the style of the shirt, and with further prompting can even give suggestions of the color and type of clothing that would go with it.
They are fairly easy to use once you set them up, however I would advise against using them for smaller objects as the cameras get a wide view of everything and may end up describing the object along with whatever else happens to be in front of you. The glasses are a relatively new technology, so they are constantly looking for ways to improve it.
The Perkins CVI Certificate Program
In January, 2025, Perkins will debut a new CVI certificate Program which consists of 4 courses. The courses include an introduction to CVI; understanding and using the new assessment from Perkins “The Perkins CVI Protocol”; how to implement and integrate strategies for students with CVI into IEPs; and planning and implementing evidence based instruction for students with CVI.
Tools to Support You in Having a Student with A Visual Impairment in Your K-6 General Education Classroom
Are you working with a Gen Ed teacher who just doesn’t seem to understand about your student, even though you have offered and given them lots of support? Do you hear the following comments: “I don’t know what to do with her/him.”; “Why are they even in a regular classroom?”; “I don’t feel like I can make these accommodations.” “But they can get around so well. Are you sure there is something wrong with their vision?” The list goes on, as you well know. Paths to Literacy has a series of short training videos that were developed for regular classroom teachers, but can also be used by therapists, paraprofessionals, administration, and families.