[optacon-l] Optacon Alternatives using current technologies and funding methodologies
- From: "Nick Dotson" <nickdotson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2012 16:04:44 -0600
I'm congenitally blind, and saw clouds and the moon, and have learned to
identify the colors "blue", "Brown", "Silver", and "White",, have read print on
a computer sign, identified the shapes of signage, and identify some objects
all of which I encounter in my working life, and at home, especially when
outside with both hands full and I can't use a cane at the same time... I'm
using the Brain Port, currently an Investigational Device produced by WICAB.
Like the Optacon, it requires practice, and a high level of motivation to
negotiate the learning curve, as home and external environments are much more
complicated environments than those represented by printed text, or the kinds
of image-related data we are used to interpolating with an Optacon. Even
Sawyer's wonderful SF books don't represent the difficulties of "learning to
see" for those of us who are congenitally blind. But I'd never have imagined I
could see the shapes of trees, branches moving in the breeze, and the moon and
clouds, or how to locate the knob or push plate on a door and move my hand to
it to open it in motion, or reach out and grasp a specific object without
having to do search patterns on a surface so as not to knock over items I
didn't know were there...
Like the Optacon, I'm using the device for functions outside the expectations
of the designers, like trying to learn to make simple welding joints with a
blow torch. (smile)
Nick
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Fran
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2012 3:20 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: To All Subscribers Of This List
Well, no matter what anyone says, artificial vision is already a reality for
many. Unfortunately not for those blind from birth, for now at least, but
nobody can tell what will happen 10 years from now. BTW I also have much hope
in gene therapy and stem cell research!
But while we get there...and we will...thank God we have this great technology
to support us, and in my opinion the optacon is still the best, in spite of
computers, audiobooks and everything else. I use it much less than before, but
just knowing it is there makes a huge difference to me, also psychologically.
Fran
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jyrki Voutilainen" <jykke.voutilainen@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2012 9:52 PM
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: To All Subscribers Of This List
> On Sun, 4 Nov 2012, Fran wrote:
>
>> I share both dreams!! Beautifully said, guys.
>
> Oh, many thanks, because my dream of the artificial vision has been â how
> should I say it â rejected by some of those whom I'd expected something
> else from. And I remember me saying that before that we need an updated
> Optacon!
>
> --
> Jyrki Voutilainen
> mailto:jykke.voutilainen@xxxxxxxxx
> Kotisivu/Homepage: http://www.jyrkivoutilainen.com/
> Blogi/Blog: http://blogi.jyrkivoutilainen.com/
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