Finding Your Way: The BrailleNote GPS curriculum from the California School for the Blind

Who are we? Maya Delgado Greenberg, Orientation & Mobility Specialist Jerry Kuns, Technology Specialist and BrailleNote GPS user

What is the BrailleNote GPS? It is a speech and braille output PDA with an add-on GPS software and hardware package. It provides access to on-demand orientation information normally only available through print signs. Without the BrailleNote GPS people with visual impairments are often dependent on sighted people for directions, as guides, or to read print signs. BrailleNote GPS improves travel skills, safety, and orientation in many areas.

What is the BrailleNote GPS? Video from Sendero Group

Finding Your Way: A Curriculum for Teaching & Using the BrailleNote Sendero GPS Free download from CSB’s website Step by step instructions for using the BrailleNote GPS Includes readings, activities, worksheets, quizzes, and pull out keystroke command lists Explains how to use the BrailleNote GPS to support other areas of O&M instruction Can be used to self-teach, or as a teaching tool with students In the third round of a pilot program Assumes instructors will co-learn with students

Top 10 reasons people think they cannot learn how to use the BrailleNote GPS (and why they don’t stand up to the truth!)

REASONS 1.I don’t know how to start. 2.My braille skills stink. 3.I don’t have the time. 4.It is too hard to learn it. 5.I do not want to learn how to use the whole BrailleNote—I would only use it to teach GPS to my students. 6.Isn’t it expensive? 7.My student is too young to benefit. 8.My student has cognitive delays—she may never travel independently. 9.Won’t it just become outdated right away? 10.I’ll learn how to teach the BrailleNote GPS to my O&M students someday, just not right now. ANSWERS 1.Read the curriculum. 2.You only need to know uncontracted braille. Get over it. Besides, you can get a BrailleNote with a QWERTY keyboard. 3.Find the time. 4.It isn’t. Really! 5.You don’t need to learn how to use all BrailleNote functions in order to use the GPS. 6.Yeah, and so is a laptop, cellphone, and internet access, but we find ways to pay for them. Besides, rehab and school districts may pay if you can prove it is needed. 7.You are never too young to benefit from learning about the world around you! 8.You do not need to be an independent traveler in order to use the BrailleNote GPS to improve planning, safety, and orientation. 9.You can purchase upgrades. 10.Is it really fair to ask your students to wait to get access to the same orientation information that their sighted peers have every day?

So, what can the BrailleNote GPS do?

Not just for advanced travelers! Can be used with students of many ages and ability levels

Information access The BrailleNote GPS gives access to location information street maps current address street names and intersections store names (including address and phone number) This information allows students to search for businesses by name or category. preview routes before travel, similar to map reading “look around” to gather information about the travel environment get the address and phone number of a business for planning a bus or paratransit trip. get the names of businesses and other points of interest when passing them.

Problem solving BrailleNote GPS can be used to determine distance and direction to a destination confirm line of travel create routes to addresses or commercial locations, getting prompts about turns, distances, and street names while traveling get bus stop announcements even if the driver forgets to announce the stop.

Safety Decreases need for public assistance from unreliable or dangerous strangers Gives users immediate access to addresses and phone numbers in case they are lost or need to call for help Can label landmarks, turns, or hazards along the travel path Can be used to search out alternate routes if path is blocked due to construction or hazards

Concept Development Can be used with young children to teach street names, maps, and address systems names of businesses nearby estimating distances cardinal directions basic braille skills geography and social studies core curriculum concepts incidental information that sighted children are exposed to in print Makes trips in a car an engaging and educational experience!

How to get your hands on a BrailleNote GPS

Work with your agency/school district: Ask your supervisor (i.e. sample letter of justification) Write it into an IEP Look into grants The old-fashioned method of saving up and buying one Work with your rehab counselor

Any Questions? Contact us at the California School for the Blind –Jerry Kuns, (510) x 226 –Maya Delgado Greenberg, x 326