A Simplified Framework for Mobility-Related Assistive Technologies

By Unregistered User (not verified), 26 May, 2024

Forum
Assistive Technology

I hope this message finds you all navigating life's paths with courage and innovation. I'm excited to share with you a new way of categorizing mobility-related assistive technologies that I've been developing. This simplified framework aims to enhance our understanding and discussion of these essential tools.

### Our New Categories: Going, Finding, and Avoiding

**1. Going:**
This category is all about navigation over larger distances. Think of it as the assistive tech equivalent of using a GPS in a car. Technologies in this category help us plan and execute our travel routes, ensuring we can venture from point A to B with confidence.

**2. Finding:**
Often referred to as solving the 'last fifty feet problem,' this category focuses on precision in reaching your precise destination or object. Whether it's finding a door in a complex environment or locating an item in a store, these technologies are about pinpoint accuracy.

**3. Avoiding:**
Here, we address the more immediate, tactile aspects of mobility, such as avoiding obstacles that come in our path. Technologies in this category are akin to the traditional use of a cane but enhanced through modern technology to provide better safety and efficiency.

### Why This Matters

By categorizing technologies into these three straightforward groups, we can better assess their functions, discuss their impacts on our daily lives, and guide new users in choosing the right tools for their needs.

I invite you all to discuss and refine this framework further. What are your experiences with these types of technologies? Are there any specific products that have significantly impacted your mobility that fit into these categories?

Looking forward to your insights and discussions!

Warm regards,
Lottie

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Comments

By Brad on Friday, May 24, 2024 - 12:59

I've rewrittten this post because I thought the other post you made was still up, it's not, that's fine, we move on.

SO I'm assuming from this you like lists? That's great but I don't know about the wrest of the applevis commmunity but I've never really grouped blind stuff like you seam to do.

The only group thing I've really done is when audiobooks have a book 1 2 and so on.

It's interesting how our minds work, I don't mind having no groups at all but it seams you like groups of things.

I wonder how many more people we can find from this post alone that like vs don't care/don't mind, if things aren't grouped.

By Brad on Friday, May 24, 2024 - 12:59

Having a comparison outside of the US, where these things are made so would probably work the best,, would be nice.

I can't make it because I find map apps to be unreliable for now.