AMC2010 - Guide Dogs NSW/ACT

The author will also discuss some solutions and
strategies adopted over the duration.
3. Title: The “Kinetic Cane”: Enhancing
Independence for a Woman with Limited
Arm Use
Author: Beth W. Helmers, Regional Manager,
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
Summary: University lecturer, Diane, experienced
a brain injury from a blow to the head, and two
successive spinal fractures in falls, resulting in
spinal damage. She is an incomplete quadriplegic
and her neck is fused from C3-C7, preventing the
head turning which would otherwise allow her to
compensate for a visual field loss and impaired
horizontal eye movement. She walks using a
right forearm crutch. With her right arm occupied
and having virtually no independent movement in
her left arm, the challenge was to devise a cane
which could assist her in locating the low objects
and trip hazards which pose a constant risk to
her independent movement. This study will chart
Diane’s progress with an innovative, personalised
mobility aid which also has applications for people
who have had strokes.
4. Title: “The Spring Loaded Cane”: A Cane
Adaptation for a Client with RSI
Author: Karyn Willins, O&M Instructor, Guide Dogs
NSW/ACT
Summary: Suzanne is a 65 year old with Spinal
degeneration and Arthritis. She uses both an
orthopaedic and mobility cane.
Suzanne recently developed RSI in her left hand.
This resulted in pain each time the cane came
in contact with a rough surface or contacted an
object. The challenge was to:
Adapt the cane to allow body coverage, as
Suzanne had limited wrist movement.
Lessen the jarring felt in her wrist and arm using the
“kinetic cane” as a starting point, &
Ensure that the grip was returned to its original
position quickly.
This presentation will discuss the problems
encountered during the development of this
cane, and detail how those challenges were met.
Attendees will be provided with instructions on how
to make the cane. They will also be encouraged to
“think outside the square” when meeting
clients’ needs.
26
9:00am Session 3, Forum B: Managing
challenging training programs including
innovative program design structure and
execution. Room: Main Common Room
1. Title: Have You Got Your License? O&M with
Scooters and Wheelchairs
Authors: Shelley Pannier and Lil Deverell, Guide
Dogs Victoria
Summary: Motorised mobility scooters are
increasingly a part of the streetscape. O&M
Specialists are sometimes asked to advise clients
on the best model to purchase, or consulted about
low vision considerations in relation to these aids.
The authors have been liaising with various O&M
providers about their recommended practices
regarding scooter and wheelchair use, and believe
it is important to bring together this information
for the profession. A draft statement on scooter /
wheelchair use will be brought to the conference,
with an invitation for members of the profession to
comment and provide feedback before a more final
document is generated.
2. Title: Challenges for Orientation and Mobility
Training on Public Buses with a Low Vision
Client who Mobilises in an Electric Wheelchair
Author: Nathan Burford, O&M Instructor, Guide
Dogs NSW/ACT
Summary: John (pseudonym), a client with
low vision and cerebral palsy, mobilises in an
electric wheelchair. Following prior training and
experience with Miniguide travel, John sought
further independent travel opportunities with public
(wheelchair accessible) buses.
This paper will explore how, for this particular client,
the utilisation of bus travel, and the associated
potential for independence that bus travel offered,
raised a variety of challenges for the delivery
of O&M services, in particular: program design
and delivery; sequence of skill acquisition and
instruction; access/advocacy issues; and defining
instructor role/parameters of service delivery.
3. Title: Is Long Cane Instruction Enough?
Investigating the Benefits of Physiotherapy
Assessment & Intervention in an Orientation
and Mobility Program
Author: Karen Warwick, O&M Instructor, Guide
Dogs NSW/ACT
Summary: The following paper is a case study of a
7 year old child with a significant congenital vision
loss undergoing long cane instruction. Up until
the age of 4, this child remained at home and did
not participate in any early intervention services.
Meeting the family for the first time at the age of 4,
it was determined the child would benefit from long
cane instruction; however, it became apparent that
this instruction alone did not appear to fully address
the child’s gross motor deficiencies. The purpose of
this paper is to further explore the possible benefits
of incorporating a specific set of physiotherapy