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versus multiple people moving slowly versus
quickly) with his hands.
The most noteworthy finding of the study was that
this student who is classified as deaf-blind was
indeed able to use the K-Sonar for additional information while traveling. He was able to use it to
rather reliably detect hallways on the opposite
side of the hall. This student has typically used
the strategy of walking in the center of hallways,
which can be dangerous for the student,
passersby, and limits the tactile feedback the student gets from either wall when using on a cane.
Another noteworthy finding is that the student
traveled more slowly when using the K-Sonar in
conjunction with a cane. Before the study began,
the student's O&M specialist indicated that one of
her primary concerns for the student was that he
traveled too quickly which was dangerous for him
and the people around him. The student's pace
was slower when he used the K-Sonar with a
cane. This is likely because he is paying more attention to the objects around him, which are detected by the K-Sonar. This could also potentially
keep him safer.
While this study is far from conclusive, the evidence that the K-Sonar can be used by individuals with cochlear implants is compelling. While
the K-Sonar would not be a good stand-alone
mobility tool for students like the one in this study,
the population of individuals who are deaf-blind
with cochlear implants might, in fact, be candidates for auditory mobility tools, like the K-Sonar.
The student in this study indicated he intends to
