MEDIA RELEASE
New technology to increase mobility for people who are blind
EMBARGOED TO INTERNATIONAL WHITE CANE DAY; Thursday 15th October
2009: Talking GPS guides, hand-held devices that emit ultra-sonic beams, and canes in
different sizes and colours. These are the tools now being used by people with impaired
vision to stay active, mobile and independent.
People with impaired vision will be out to demonstrate their mobility and independence on
International White Cane Day (Thursday 15th October) for the inaugural Independence
Walk in Sydney CBD, organised by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
According to Guide Dogs spokesperson, Jennifer Moon, improved technology and the
latest training techniques are giving people with impaired vision new options for keeping
active.
“The white cane provides great confidence to thousands of users, but these days it’s
more about giving people a ‘mobility toolbox’ with a range of options that they might use.
It means that the community will need to get used to seeing people with impaired vision
use devices other than white canes to navigate their way through day-to-day tasks,” said
Ms Moon.
Ms Moon believes that the new technology may well encourage people who experience
problems with their vision to explore different options. “We’re finding many people who
may have been intimidated by the prospect of using a cane are keen to explore new
ways of staying mobile,” said Ms Moon.
Some of the new options include services like Wayfinder Access which provides people
with the ability to use their mobile phone with a GPS application that reads out “where am
I” information and provides verbal navigation on specified routes.
“The Independence Walk” is all about showing the community how technology and
professional instruction can help people with impaired vision to increase their
independence and mobility,” said Ms Moon.
Guide Dogs’ Independence Walk will take place on the morning of Thursday 15th October
and will start from Hyde Park and finish at Martin Place at around 8.30am.
For more information about Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and their services, visit
ENDS
For more information, photo opportunities or interviews, please contact Martin
Palin (0418 419 258) or Karina Candia (0402 307 056) at Palin Communications
on 02 9412 2255.
NEWS 
