Teaching Echolocation
to the Blind
Daniel Kish, Executive Director of World Access for the Blind
is
teaching a student echolocation with a piece of plexiglass.
The student is listening for echos as they bounce off the glass.
Dan is the first certified blind Orientation & Mobility Specialist in the world.
He is one of the world's foremost experts on echolocation.
The blind can be taught to "see" by using echolocation along
with the latest technological advances in the field.
Information & Publications
World Access for the Blind is testing and making new TECHNOLOGIES
available that may aid the blind to travel and to interact in a fully integrated fashion with
the sighted world. We will make every effort to get the results
of these tests, and an understanding of their significance, into the hands of the blind
as well as sighted individuals who might be able to encourage its use.
Publications & Videos
* * * * * * *
"Seeing Without Sight"The Video
This video describes some of the activities, goals and accomplishments of World Access for the Blind in its first 2 years of operation. There are several versions for download, as well as free copies available on different media such as DVD and VHS. Versions in languages other than English are underway. In the mean time, we have made available the transcript in Spanish in a Microsoft Word format.
* * * * * * *
"New Light" The Annual Report of World Access for the Blind2003: Opening a New Way
* * * * * * *
"When Darkness Lights the Way"
How the blind may function as specialists in movement and navigation
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
Written by Dan Kish, a totally blind Orientation and Mobility Specialist,
(click here for biography) this monograph is
a description of how the blind may function as specialists in movement and navigation. It
serves as a very detailed expose on his experiences both in training, and in the profession.
An exhaustive array of issues are covered in depth. Careful attention is given to the
maintenance of the highest professional and ethical standards.
* * * * * * *
"SONIC ECHOLOCATION: A Modern Review of the Literature"
This scholarly monograph presents an exhaustive review of the literature on human echolocation.
These findings are discussed with relevance to the design of a systematic
echolocation training program. The positive impact of echolocation on blind travel is
thoroughly documented.
* * * * * * *
"Seeing without sight"
This powerful, 25 minute video demonstrates and explains the Vision Replacement approach
of World Access for the Blind. Sonic and ultrasonic echolocation are featured. It is
targeted to helping the blind and the sighted see our world in a new light.
* * * * * * *
WORLD ACCESS FOR THE BLIND has made available a
"Training Guide to Echolocation for the Blind.(pdf version)"
This is a quick start, practical training guide to help teach echolocation.
In addition to the PDF file linked above, there is an unformatted
(text version), and a
version in Spanish formatted for Microsoft Word.
* * * * * * *
"Acoustic Navigation in Premature, Blind Children"
Steve Charles, MD
Charles Retina Institute
Dr. Charles, world renowned vitreoretinal surgeon and engineer, documents his observations
of young infants spontaneously producing oral signals for the apparent purpose of gaining
navigational information.
* * * * * * *
"Facilitating Movement and Navigation in Blind Pre-Schoolers:
A Positive, Practical Approach"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This report, written with many thousands of collective hours of experience with blind
preschoolers discusses the psychology of learning in the preschooler and presents many
practical methods of facilitating movement competence.
* * * * * * *
"Embracing Our World"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This document is a compilation of dozens of presentations delivered to consumers and professionals from all areas of the blindness field covering child-rearing, movement and navigation, psychological and social adjustment, daily living and life skills, multiple disabilities, resources, and general freedom and quality of life.
* * * * * * *
"Der Spiegel - Der Fledermausmann"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version;
German text only An article about Team Bat that appeared in the popular German magazine, Der Spiegel. Reproduced with permission.
* * * * * * *
"Seeing Without Sight"The Video
This video describes some of the activities, goals and accomplishments of World Access for the Blind in its first 2 years of operation. There are several versions for download, as well as free copies available on different media such as DVD and VHS. Versions in languages other than English are underway. In the mean time, we have made available the transcript in Spanish in a Microsoft Word format.
* * * * * * *
"New Light" The Annual Report of World Access for the Blind2003: Opening a New Way
* * * * * * *
"When Darkness Lights the Way"
How the blind may function as specialists in movement and navigation
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
Written by Dan Kish, a totally blind Orientation and Mobility Specialist,
(click here for biography) this monograph is
a description of how the blind may function as specialists in movement and navigation. It
serves as a very detailed expose on his experiences both in training, and in the profession.
An exhaustive array of issues are covered in depth. Careful attention is given to the
maintenance of the highest professional and ethical standards.
* * * * * * *
"SONIC ECHOLOCATION: A Modern Review of the Literature"
This scholarly monograph presents an exhaustive review of the literature on human echolocation.
These findings are discussed with relevance to the design of a systematic
echolocation training program. The positive impact of echolocation on blind travel is
thoroughly documented.
* * * * * * *
"Seeing without sight"
This powerful, 25 minute video demonstrates and explains the Vision Replacement approach
of World Access for the Blind. Sonic and ultrasonic echolocation are featured. It is
targeted to helping the blind and the sighted see our world in a new light.
* * * * * * *
WORLD ACCESS FOR THE BLIND has made available a
"Training Guide to Echolocation for the Blind.(pdf version)"
This is a quick start, practical training guide to help teach echolocation.
In addition to the PDF file linked above, there is an unformatted
(text version), and a
version in Spanish formatted for Microsoft Word.
* * * * * * *
"Acoustic Navigation in Premature, Blind Children"
Steve Charles, MD
Charles Retina Institute
Dr. Charles, world renowned vitreoretinal surgeon and engineer, documents his observations
of young infants spontaneously producing oral signals for the apparent purpose of gaining
navigational information.
* * * * * * *
"Facilitating Movement and Navigation in Blind Pre-Schoolers:
A Positive, Practical Approach"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This report, written with many thousands of collective hours of experience with blind
preschoolers discusses the psychology of learning in the preschooler and presents many
practical methods of facilitating movement competence.
* * * * * * *
"Embracing Our World"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This document is a compilation of dozens of presentations delivered to consumers and professionals from all areas of the blindness field covering child-rearing, movement and navigation, psychological and social adjustment, daily living and life skills, multiple disabilities, resources, and general freedom and quality of life.
* * * * * * *
"Der Spiegel - Der Fledermausmann"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version;
German text only An article about Team Bat that appeared in the popular German magazine, Der Spiegel. Reproduced with permission.
The Video
This video describes some of the activities, goals and accomplishments of World Access for the Blind in its first 2 years of operation. There are several versions for download, as well as free copies available on different media such as DVD and VHS. Versions in languages other than English are underway. In the mean time, we have made available the transcript in Spanish in a Microsoft Word format.
* * * * * * *
"New Light" The Annual Report of World Access for the Blind2003: Opening a New Way
* * * * * * *
"When Darkness Lights the Way"
How the blind may function as specialists in movement and navigation
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
Written by Dan Kish, a totally blind Orientation and Mobility Specialist,
(click here for biography) this monograph is
a description of how the blind may function as specialists in movement and navigation. It
serves as a very detailed expose on his experiences both in training, and in the profession.
An exhaustive array of issues are covered in depth. Careful attention is given to the
maintenance of the highest professional and ethical standards.
* * * * * * *
"SONIC ECHOLOCATION: A Modern Review of the Literature"
This scholarly monograph presents an exhaustive review of the literature on human echolocation.
These findings are discussed with relevance to the design of a systematic
echolocation training program. The positive impact of echolocation on blind travel is
thoroughly documented.
* * * * * * *
"Seeing without sight"
This powerful, 25 minute video demonstrates and explains the Vision Replacement approach
of World Access for the Blind. Sonic and ultrasonic echolocation are featured. It is
targeted to helping the blind and the sighted see our world in a new light.
* * * * * * *
WORLD ACCESS FOR THE BLIND has made available a
"Training Guide to Echolocation for the Blind.(pdf version)"
This is a quick start, practical training guide to help teach echolocation.
In addition to the PDF file linked above, there is an unformatted
(text version), and a
version in Spanish formatted for Microsoft Word.
* * * * * * *
"Acoustic Navigation in Premature, Blind Children"
Steve Charles, MD
Charles Retina Institute
Dr. Charles, world renowned vitreoretinal surgeon and engineer, documents his observations
of young infants spontaneously producing oral signals for the apparent purpose of gaining
navigational information.
* * * * * * *
"Facilitating Movement and Navigation in Blind Pre-Schoolers:
A Positive, Practical Approach"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This report, written with many thousands of collective hours of experience with blind
preschoolers discusses the psychology of learning in the preschooler and presents many
practical methods of facilitating movement competence.
* * * * * * *
"Embracing Our World"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This document is a compilation of dozens of presentations delivered to consumers and professionals from all areas of the blindness field covering child-rearing, movement and navigation, psychological and social adjustment, daily living and life skills, multiple disabilities, resources, and general freedom and quality of life.
* * * * * * *
"Der Spiegel - Der Fledermausmann"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version;
German text only An article about Team Bat that appeared in the popular German magazine, Der Spiegel. Reproduced with permission.
"New Light" The Annual Report of World Access for the Blind2003: Opening a New Way
* * * * * * *
"When Darkness Lights the Way"
How the blind may function as specialists in movement and navigation
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
Written by Dan Kish, a totally blind Orientation and Mobility Specialist,
(click here for biography) this monograph is
a description of how the blind may function as specialists in movement and navigation. It
serves as a very detailed expose on his experiences both in training, and in the profession.
An exhaustive array of issues are covered in depth. Careful attention is given to the
maintenance of the highest professional and ethical standards.
* * * * * * *
"SONIC ECHOLOCATION: A Modern Review of the Literature"
This scholarly monograph presents an exhaustive review of the literature on human echolocation.
These findings are discussed with relevance to the design of a systematic
echolocation training program. The positive impact of echolocation on blind travel is
thoroughly documented.
* * * * * * *
"Seeing without sight"
This powerful, 25 minute video demonstrates and explains the Vision Replacement approach
of World Access for the Blind. Sonic and ultrasonic echolocation are featured. It is
targeted to helping the blind and the sighted see our world in a new light.
* * * * * * *
WORLD ACCESS FOR THE BLIND has made available a
"Training Guide to Echolocation for the Blind.(pdf version)"
This is a quick start, practical training guide to help teach echolocation.
In addition to the PDF file linked above, there is an unformatted
(text version), and a
version in Spanish formatted for Microsoft Word.
* * * * * * *
"Acoustic Navigation in Premature, Blind Children"
Steve Charles, MD
Charles Retina Institute
Dr. Charles, world renowned vitreoretinal surgeon and engineer, documents his observations
of young infants spontaneously producing oral signals for the apparent purpose of gaining
navigational information.
* * * * * * *
"Facilitating Movement and Navigation in Blind Pre-Schoolers:
A Positive, Practical Approach"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This report, written with many thousands of collective hours of experience with blind
preschoolers discusses the psychology of learning in the preschooler and presents many
practical methods of facilitating movement competence.
* * * * * * *
"Embracing Our World"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This document is a compilation of dozens of presentations delivered to consumers and professionals from all areas of the blindness field covering child-rearing, movement and navigation, psychological and social adjustment, daily living and life skills, multiple disabilities, resources, and general freedom and quality of life.
* * * * * * *
"Der Spiegel - Der Fledermausmann"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version;
German text only An article about Team Bat that appeared in the popular German magazine, Der Spiegel. Reproduced with permission.
2003: Opening a New Way
"When Darkness Lights the Way"
How the blind may function as specialists in movement and navigation
* * * * * * *
"SONIC ECHOLOCATION: A Modern Review of the Literature"
This scholarly monograph presents an exhaustive review of the literature on human echolocation.
These findings are discussed with relevance to the design of a systematic
echolocation training program. The positive impact of echolocation on blind travel is
thoroughly documented.
* * * * * * *
"Seeing without sight"
This powerful, 25 minute video demonstrates and explains the Vision Replacement approach
of World Access for the Blind. Sonic and ultrasonic echolocation are featured. It is
targeted to helping the blind and the sighted see our world in a new light.
* * * * * * *
WORLD ACCESS FOR THE BLIND has made available a
"Training Guide to Echolocation for the Blind.(pdf version)"
This is a quick start, practical training guide to help teach echolocation.
In addition to the PDF file linked above, there is an unformatted
(text version), and a
version in Spanish formatted for Microsoft Word.
* * * * * * *
"Acoustic Navigation in Premature, Blind Children"
Steve Charles, MD
Charles Retina Institute
Dr. Charles, world renowned vitreoretinal surgeon and engineer, documents his observations
of young infants spontaneously producing oral signals for the apparent purpose of gaining
navigational information.
* * * * * * *
"Facilitating Movement and Navigation in Blind Pre-Schoolers:
A Positive, Practical Approach"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This report, written with many thousands of collective hours of experience with blind
preschoolers discusses the psychology of learning in the preschooler and presents many
practical methods of facilitating movement competence.
* * * * * * *
"Embracing Our World"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This document is a compilation of dozens of presentations delivered to consumers and professionals from all areas of the blindness field covering child-rearing, movement and navigation, psychological and social adjustment, daily living and life skills, multiple disabilities, resources, and general freedom and quality of life.
* * * * * * *
"Der Spiegel - Der Fledermausmann"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version;
German text only An article about Team Bat that appeared in the popular German magazine, Der Spiegel. Reproduced with permission.
This scholarly monograph presents an exhaustive review of the literature on human echolocation.
These findings are discussed with relevance to the design of a systematic
echolocation training program. The positive impact of echolocation on blind travel is
thoroughly documented.
* * * * * * *
"Seeing without sight"
This powerful, 25 minute video demonstrates and explains the Vision Replacement approach
of World Access for the Blind. Sonic and ultrasonic echolocation are featured. It is
targeted to helping the blind and the sighted see our world in a new light.
* * * * * * *
WORLD ACCESS FOR THE BLIND has made available a
"Training Guide to Echolocation for the Blind.(pdf version)"
This is a quick start, practical training guide to help teach echolocation.
In addition to the PDF file linked above, there is an unformatted
(text version), and a
version in Spanish formatted for Microsoft Word.
* * * * * * *
"Acoustic Navigation in Premature, Blind Children"
Steve Charles, MD
Charles Retina Institute
Dr. Charles, world renowned vitreoretinal surgeon and engineer, documents his observations
of young infants spontaneously producing oral signals for the apparent purpose of gaining
navigational information.
* * * * * * *
"Facilitating Movement and Navigation in Blind Pre-Schoolers:
A Positive, Practical Approach"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This report, written with many thousands of collective hours of experience with blind
preschoolers discusses the psychology of learning in the preschooler and presents many
practical methods of facilitating movement competence.
* * * * * * *
"Embracing Our World"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This document is a compilation of dozens of presentations delivered to consumers and professionals from all areas of the blindness field covering child-rearing, movement and navigation, psychological and social adjustment, daily living and life skills, multiple disabilities, resources, and general freedom and quality of life.
* * * * * * *
"Der Spiegel - Der Fledermausmann"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version;
German text only An article about Team Bat that appeared in the popular German magazine, Der Spiegel. Reproduced with permission.
"Seeing without sight"
This powerful, 25 minute video demonstrates and explains the Vision Replacement approach
of World Access for the Blind. Sonic and ultrasonic echolocation are featured. It is
targeted to helping the blind and the sighted see our world in a new light.
* * * * * * *
WORLD ACCESS FOR THE BLIND has made available a
"Training Guide to Echolocation for the Blind.(pdf version)"
This is a quick start, practical training guide to help teach echolocation.
In addition to the PDF file linked above, there is an unformatted
(text version), and a
version in Spanish formatted for Microsoft Word.
* * * * * * *
"Acoustic Navigation in Premature, Blind Children"
Steve Charles, MD
Charles Retina Institute
Dr. Charles, world renowned vitreoretinal surgeon and engineer, documents his observations
of young infants spontaneously producing oral signals for the apparent purpose of gaining
navigational information.
* * * * * * *
"Facilitating Movement and Navigation in Blind Pre-Schoolers:
A Positive, Practical Approach"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This report, written with many thousands of collective hours of experience with blind
preschoolers discusses the psychology of learning in the preschooler and presents many
practical methods of facilitating movement competence.
* * * * * * *
"Embracing Our World"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version
This document is a compilation of dozens of presentations delivered to consumers and professionals from all areas of the blindness field covering child-rearing, movement and navigation, psychological and social adjustment, daily living and life skills, multiple disabilities, resources, and general freedom and quality of life.
* * * * * * *
"Der Spiegel - Der Fledermausmann"
Plain Text Version
PDF Version;
German text only An article about Team Bat that appeared in the popular German magazine, Der Spiegel. Reproduced with permission.
WORLD ACCESS FOR THE BLIND has made available a "Training Guide to Echolocation for the Blind.(pdf version)" This is a quick start, practical training guide to help teach echolocation. In addition to the PDF file linked above, there is an unformatted (text version), and a version in Spanish formatted for Microsoft Word.
"Acoustic Navigation in Premature, Blind Children"