Take a Walk in Our Shoes?

Photo:  A busy street to get across

Ever wonder what it would be like to navigate our fair city as a person without sight? How would you avoid obstacles? Cross Streets? Locate your destination? Come learn about the challenges, tools and innovative technologies that are increasing accessibility for those with visual impairments. 

Location
Route

We will begin at the fountain in Confederation Park with a brief discussion of how blind people travel. Walking west along Slater to Bank we will observe and discuss curb identification, traffic controls, and finding a bus! We will then continue south on Bank to explore a congested commercial area before heading east on Somerset to O'Connor. There we can try out the city's newest audible traffic lights as we head north to Laurier before completing our walk at City Hall where you can try out the latest I-Beacons (audible signage accessed through apps). 

About the walk leader

Sally Plant has worked for many years helping visually impaired people to develop skills for Orientation & Mobility. She feels all communities benefit from a greater understanding of accessibility. 

Brenda Bush has lived with limited vision for many years. She uses her guide dog, Lacy, to go all over Ottawa and appreciates the changes she has seen over the past few years to improve accessibility on Ottawa streets. 

Richard Marsolais is an Independent Living Specialist and blind athlete who has completed internationally in tandem cycling, marathons, and triathalons. He also likes to share his passion for blind advocacy. 


Guides:

Sally Plant, Brenda Bush, & ..................................Richard Marsolais and Brenda Bush

When:
Date:Sat May 5, 2018
Time:11:00 AM
Duration: 1 hour
Language: English
Where:
Start:Fountain, Confederation Park
End:Ottawa City Hall
Area:Centretown
Distance:2.0 kms
Accessibility:

The walk will follow city sidewalks and paved pathways. 

Gallery
Volunteer to Marshal This Walk