Host: Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Kimberly Naus, Director of the University at Buffalo’s Center for Assistive Technology, and your host is yours truly Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program Kim.
Guest: Thank you for having me, Ernie.
Host: And I understand that you're going to be discussing some exciting new technology for people with vision impairments but first we of course need to credit your sponsor which is TRAID, if you could briefly mention what they do.
Guest: Yes, TRAID is a free program to New York State residents. It's your federal tax dollars going to work for you. And the acronym stands for Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities. And what it does is it enables the community to have device demonstrations, information regarding various devices, we can give them resources, and they can also borrow devices. And these could be devices to enable independence in the home, such as, you know, wheelchairs, ramps, or it can also help with educational purposes. It could be keyboards, could be software. Also, if you're rehabbing, it could be communication devices. And the beautiful thing is it's free. It is a loan, something can be borrowed from a family member, it's available to all ages, service provider, or just if you are in the field, such as occupational therapy, and you want to educate yourself and some assistive tools, we are the resource.
Host: It sounds like you're just about one stop shopping for assistive technology, pretty much. Why don't we turn our attention to the We Walk, who is that supposed to serve?
Guest: Yes, the We Walk it's a very exciting news. It is now in the States, which is awesome for purchasing purposes. And it's a revolutionary smart cane for the visually impaired, and the differences are is it does have an ultrasound wave right on the handle of the cane. So it enables a person to navigate that can detect obstacles, either above them, or in front of them or on the side of them, it would vibrate to make them aware, which is great because we know with all the construction going on you know who knows what's in front of you. So that alerts. And in addition to that, it also pairs with smartphones, which is awesome again because if you are using your Google Maps to navigate, the communication from the Google map would come through the cane with either vibration or audio cues. So, it would vibrate and then say, Okay, turn right. So, at the same time you're prepared to turn right, and if there is an obstacle there it would make you aware of that. And what I think is so cool is the voice assistant in there. So, you not only have a vibration you're getting audio feedback, which again, you can use Bluetooth earbuds. So, the community around you doesn't even really know what you're doing but you're navigating independently with this cane. So, it's awesome, it is pricey, that does run $499. But again, it could be something that you might be able to work out with your insurances, or again through New York State TRAID. They do have low interest loans. So, it's a 3% loan and it's anywhere from $500 for assistive technology to $5,000. So, it's, you know, if you don't have the money, you may be able to go through this resource again through New York State.
Host: That is exciting an extended reach white cane for blind or visually impaired people with the GPS and other things built into it. People will have questions; how can they reach you?
Guest: They can reach me at 836-1350. Again, that's 836-1350 and it's all by appointment. This is another item I'm going to be purchasing so we will have it in stock if somebody would like to see it demonstrated.
Host: Thanks so much for being with us, Kim,
Guest: Thank you very much, Ernie.
Host: You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Kimberly Naus, Director of the University at Buffalo’s Center for Assistive Technology, and your host was yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.