Blind Students Tour College Campus Using Global Positioning System

WASHINGTON, DC (July 24, 2003) -- Teenage campers who are blind or visually impaired from Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind’s Fourth Annual Technology Camp for High School Students will tour Catholic University’s campus on Tuesday, July 29, using a BrailleNote GPS, a new global positioning system developed by Sendero Group, LLC, and Pulse Data International

“This field trip is designed to encourage high school students with vision impairments to pursue a college education,” said Melissa Thompson, camp director and manager of community relations at Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind.  “The use of global positioning systems by students who are blind or visually impaired may help to alleviate any inhibitions about attending a big university.  The technology also can enhance their college experience by enabling students to maintain travel independence, despite new and unfamiliar surroundings.”

With a receiver about the size of a small cell phone, the BrailleNote GPS utilizes a network of 24 satellites to pinpoint a traveler’s position on earth and nearby points of interest.  The navigation system can be easily programmed to save personalized travel routes and favorite spots or travelers can rely on the thousands of points of interest and street map data supplied with the system.  For entering college freshman, the BrailleNote GPS can be programmed to save routes from a student’s dorm room to his or her classroom or from the cafeteria to the fitness center.  Conveniently, the BrailleNote personal notetaker also can be used to take notes in class and for a variety of other functions, including word processing, daily planning, calculating, and web browsing.

“When high school students become familiar with new assistive technology devices, they learn that a college education and advanced career opportunities are not only within their reach, but very obtainable goals,” said Bobby Bobo, assistive technology specialist at Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind.  “Our camp program strives to familiarize high school students with the various assistive technology devices available from screen reading solutions to scanners to notetakers. ”

The field trip to Catholic University is part of Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind’s Technology Camp for High School Students, which is being held at the Fairfax County Government Center in Suite 123, from Monday, July 21, until Friday, August 1.  The technology camp focuses on technology skills and applications that make students who are blind or visually impaired more competitive at school and later in college or in the workplace.  During the two-week session, students learn assistive technologies, office applications, PowerPoint, and basic web page development.  Field trips and guest speakers expose students to myriad career opportunities and role models.  This camp is made possible with the support of Fairfax County Public Library Access Services and has no enrollment fee for teenagers who are blind or visually impaired. 

About Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind:

Since 1900, the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind has offered programs and services that enable individuals who are blind or visually impaired to obtain and maintain independence at home, school, work and in the community.  CLB’s programs and services include training and consultation in assistive technology, employment marketing skills training, career placement services, comprehensive low vision care and a wide range of rehabilitation services.  For more information regarding CLB’s programs and services, visit CLB’s web site at www.clb.org.   

About Pulse Data Human Ware:

Pulse Data HumanWare of Concord, CA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pulse Data International of New Zealand.  Pulse Data has established a strong reputation for producing affordable low vision and blindness devices, which combine high performance and user-friendly features with outstanding reliability and service life.  For more information, please visit the Web site for Pulse Data Humanware at www.humanware.com.

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