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One
of the cornerstones of independent living is the ability to get where
you need to go without depending on someone else. Fortunately for
people with vision loss, advances in technology have made it much
easier to travel about safely and efficiently without a companion or
a dog guide. In this section, you'll get a quick overview of the
latest in portable navigational devices.
Global
Positioning Systems (GPS)
As
with much of the technology used to aid people with low vision, GPS
was not developed for that purpose. The U.S. Department of Defense
designed GPS to pinpoint military targets. Today, this technology is
used daily by the general public in cars, computers, and cell phones.
GPS technology has been specifically adapted for people with vision
loss and is especially useful if you travel frequently to new
destinations.
Put
simply, GPS devices tell you where you are—what number block,
the street name, nearby landmarks and points of interest, the
direction you're heading. Systems generally come preprogrammed with
commercial destinations such as restaurants and banks, but you can
further program the devices to include locations you frequent. One
device—the Trekker—can be programmed to vocally announce "home"
whenever you return home.
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GPS: What You Need to Know
These
devices work best in large, open spaces. The signal works less well
in downtown city environments, where tall buildings can obstruct the
GPS receiver.
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There
are several GPS units on the market designed for people with vision
loss, as well as compasses that talk or feature braille. Check the
Product Search "Getting Around" category
for more information.
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