Orientation Aids

Hi everyone

This might seem like a strange question but does anyone know where you can buy these 'specialised orientation aids' that the DWP have been harping on about?

(Regardless as to whether or not I am granted the mobility component of PIP I just really want to get on in life and this sort of thing would make a world of difference to me getting out and about.)

I haven't yet been able to successfully use any mobile app, map or mainstream gps device to help with route planning and finding my way around and wasn't even aware till recently that there were specific navigational aids for disabled.

Oh dear, well, I will look into this further and pass on any info I can find out. I am going to see a neurologist tomorrow so maybe he will know.

I hope these aids aren't just a figment of the DWPs imagination because it has actually given me something positive to look at in the light of all the palaver with the PIP claim.

Hi Guys!
Don't know if i am right or wrong here you decide!
Specialized to my mind implies uniqueness.
I would feel that the use of the items below in (1and 2) by anyone other than the: blind,deaf blind or partially sighted would make justification difficult.

As an examples;
(1)symbol canes,guide canes and long canes with or without roller tips are specialized aids specifically designed for visually impaired people to navigate and orientate themselves.
(2)A Guide dog is a specialized navigation and orientation aid for blind,deaf blind or partially sighted people

(3) This one however might be relevant to people with various emotional,learning or cognitive problems.
Specialized PEDESTRIAN sat navs. RNIB sell them; the top of the range is the Trekker Breeze at about £325 pounds which under DWP ruling excludes itself as an aid because it costs a bomb!!!!!
For someone who needs to follow an unfamiliar route this might be classed as specialist as its for pedestrians.
However for visually impaired people the landmarks(pedestrian crossings,permanent hazards, street furniture) required to follow a route have to be imputed on first use; so you would need someone with you to identify them for you.
Hope this is relevant and not waffle.
Regards Matchseller.

Matchseller, this sounds like what I've been looking for. It didn't occur to me to look on the RNIB website. I've been at the mobility shop today but they didn't have anything.

I agree, in part, it would be very hard for anyone who is not visually impaired to qualify for more than 8 points in this descriptor. And almost impossible for someone who drives.

However, someone with a brain injury / alzheimers / down syndrome might also have problems with planning and following a route.

For me personally, I have a visual memory impairment: I have trouble with visual recall, processing visual information, topographical disorientation to name a few things... I get lost a lot (even in my own neighbourhood and going to places I've been to hundreds of times) and I find my way around by using text mostly so if someone was to come along and paint over all the shop signs in my street then I would not recognise where I was.

Anyway, thanks for this. So far, all I've found when looking online are references to 'safer walking devices' for people with alzheimers - of course there is no reason why these wouldn't work for me because I have some of the same sort of difficulties.

I think if this device you've mentioned works for me then I will ask my parents if they could give me some money towards it for xmas

Oh, and additionally, Headway (organisation for people with brain injury) have a brainy dogs program where they train rescue dogs to help people who have difficulty with finding their way around - I've not personally accessed it because I am not allowed a pet in my flat but I think it's a great idea.