Sensory Skill Training

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The Language of Sensory Training

Differentiate "ambient" sound from "directional" sound

Differentiate "sound discrimination" from "sound localization"

Define "beacon"

Define:

Landscape: The way things look; so it tells you where you are.
Soundscape: The way things sound; so it tells you where you are.
Touchscape: The way things feel; so it tells you where you are.

Define "sound shadow"

Differentiate "passive echo location" and "active echo location"

Training

Identify sound sources (typical ambient sounds):
What is a sound shadow?

Travel to sound sources

Position the body in relation to sound sources

Soundscapes: what are they; practice; differentiate from landscape (judging room size; identify rooms by the sound signature)
What is a mental image?

A collection (set) of sensory inputs (non-visual or with low vision) that create a gestalt (holistic) image of a specific location in space. They are about layout and perceived routes.

How do you create mental images?

1. Establish a reference point.
2. Establish a set (frozen) body position at the reference point
3. Localize (determine) auditory (and tactual) input in relationship to your body.
4. Have a sighted friend (or a mobility specialist) "paint" a mental picture of objects in the room relative to your location
5. Verbally describe the setting based on all the feedback
6. To build a greater understanding of small spaces, exploration (going and coming from the reference point) is needed.

What is vision like?

1. If we have two eyes why don't we see two of everything (vision is in the brain, not in the eyes; it is a complex total brain complex)
2. Vision is a "window" that we move around using our head and eye movements (we are blind behind and above our heads)
3. There are two general vision systems (two major brain processing areas)
4. One system sees in great detail and in color. It locks-on to objects and tracks them. (this system identifies people and things)
5. The other system is for navigation. It sees in black and white, is very motion sensitive, and is very good at night vision.
6. Vision is used to non-verbally communicate (interpret face and body gestures, watches eye signals, etc.)

Below: Ebooks
IIBN Site Index - Teaching O&M - Wayfinding Technologies