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Upper Body Protection Technique
Lower Body Protection Technique
Trailing
Getting Oriented (Indoors and Outdoors)
Upper Body Protection Technique
Purpose:
To protect your face and upper body from objects that may protrude,
such as a low lying tree branch, sign, or cabinet door.
How
to: Raise your hand to the opposite shoulder (i.e., right hand to
left shoulder, or left hand to right shoulder), palm out and fingers
cupped—this is your protective hand. Make sure that your
protective hand is below or above the line of sight so as to not
block your remaining vision. Hold your hand and arm in a firm
position in front of you so that if they come into contact with an
object or wall, your face and upper body will be protected. If your
hand and arm are "floppy," they will not protect your face
and upper body as effectively.
FYI:
This technique can be helpful when entering a door using the sighted
guide technique to protect your
face from being hit with the door. It can also be used when bending
down to pick up objects or clearing a seat. Remember that if you're
using a long white cane, it will help with lower body obstacles, but it will
still be necessary to use the upper body protection technique to
guard against face- and chest-level obstructions.
Lower Body Protection Technique
Purpose:
In the home and other familiar areas, this technique helps you avoid
bumping into tables or other objects placed near the mid- or lower
section of the body.
How
to: Extend your hand out in front of your waist, keeping your arm
and hand straight and rigid.
FYI:
This technique can be used in combination with the upper body
protection technique to move about your home or other familiar
environment. In unfamiliar or uncontrolled areas, it is important to
use the long white cane,
a dog guide, or a sighted guide because the lower body protection
technique does not help with finding drop offs, such as a hole in the
ground, step, curb, or ramp.
Trailing
Purpose:
This technique is used to learn more about an area before moving
within it.
How
to: You can use your hand to locate a specific door, opening, or
landmark. Keep your hand cupped to avoid injury to the fingers.
Example:
You need to find the third door on your left down a long hallway. In
this case, touch your cupped left hand lightly to the wall, keeping
it in contact with the wall as you start walking. You'll be able to
tell when you're touching a doorway—count the doors as you make
your way down the hall until you reach the third door.
Getting Oriented (Indoors and Outdoors)
When
entering a new area for the first time, there will be some things
you'll need to know in order to feel safe and at home: Where is the
furniture placed? What's your proximity to the exit, or exits? What
are the potential hazards? Is there exposed wire anywhere, or a
glass table? Are there steps or ramps in the space?
Although
a qualified O&M specialist can teach you a systematic exploration
method that you can apply to your surroundings, it may not be
possible to make out such details on your own. Ask a sighted person
to explain all the features in the space, including size, shape, and
landmarks (unique objects that don't move from place to place—a
bookcase or flower garden, for example).
It
may also be necessary to explore an outdoor environment using a
sighted guide or a white cane in order to orient fully to the new
area.
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