TREKKER BREEZE UPGRADES NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH HUMANWARE

Image of the Trekker Breeze GPS Device Courtesy of Humanware

Humanware has announced free upgraded software available for download to Trekker Breeze users. Veterans that have completed the WBRC GPS Mobility program and have been issued a Trekker Breeze should be aware of the new changes to the software which will expand the functionality of the device and consider using the free upgrade.

The upgrade includes a "What's Around" extended search feature which will allow users to select one of the ten following category groups. The search will announce the 50 closest POIs/landmarks within a distance of 5 miles:
- Landmarks (Personal)
- Transportation
- Food
- Banking
- Health
- Shopping
- Lodging
- Education
- Automotive
- All categories

Users will then be able to select a Point of Interest or landmark from the list presented in the “What’s around” search and the Breeze will provide turn instructions to that destination once users press the “Confirm” key. Other upgrades include enhanced voice, advanced street position accuracy, and more information provided when traveling in a vehicle.

Veterans interested in learning more about the WBRC GPS Mobility program should contact their VIST Coordinator for more information.

PRESS HERE to learn more about the BREEZE upgrades

PRESS HERE to link to the BREEZE software UPGRADE site

SAVE THE DATE!

The WBRC White Cane Awareness Walk will be Friday October 15, 2010, in Downtown Palo Alto at City Hall

(Icon of a traveler using a long white cane)

All are welcome -- white cane users, sighted guides, V-1 scooter users, dog guide users, blindfolded sighted folks (with cane skills or a human guide) -- on a half mile walk around downtown Palo Alto.

Schedule
9:30 am Assemble at Pal Alto City Hall 250 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA.

10:00 am White Cane Awareness Walk starts from City Hall and parades around town.

11:00 am Proclamation Reading at City Hall, Palo Alto.

11:30 Return Home Safely.

Contact Brian Higgins at 650-906-9412 for more information.

WBRC AND VTA HOST VETERAN IN-SERVICE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Image: A veteran participating in the WBRC power mobility program works

with his orientation and mobility instructor to practice

boarding the bus with his power mobility device.

Image: A veteran participating in the WBRC basic program works

with his orientation and mobility instructor on a VTA community

shuttle to increase his public transportation system knowledge.

Veterans who participated in the session worked one-on-one with their WBRC orientation and mobility instructors with drivers available to operate the doors, kneeling features, lifts, and ramps of the stationary vehicles. Veterans were able to become oriented to the vehicle layout while it was ‘out of service’, practice boarding and navigating inside the vehicles, talk to VTA drivers and staff, and learn more about public transportation. One veteran who participated in the session reported that he felt more at ease learning about the public transportation because he had plenty of time to learn the layout of the bus without feeling the pressure of working on a bus which was operating on a route.

 

WBRC is hoping to continue partnering with the VTA to arrange similar opportunities for veterans in the future. Celeste Oda, a VTA Accessible Services Representative, reported that VTA has free programs and training available to persons with disabilities who would like to learn how to access public transportation. She reported that many transit authorities have similar programs and that interested persons should contact their local transit authority for information about such training opportunities. More information about VTA programs can be found at the link below.

Click HERE for a link to the VTA Travel Training Web Page

Veterans participating in the WBRC orientation and mobility program had an opportunity to participate in a public transportation in-service through the Santa Clara Public Transit Authority (VTA). VTA dedicated one community shuttle and one city bus along with VTA drivers and VTA representatives to be present at the VA Palo Alto Veteran’s Hospital Campus for an afternoon in early June.