Belmont Rotary - Genoa Services - Genoa Services Updates

The donation of computer equipment and technical expertise from the Logitech Corporation coupled with the Rotary Clubs’ financial assistance facilitated the initiation of beta testing of the Genoa system in the San Francisco Bay Area this month. Three new test subjects, one sighted to act as guide/Assistant and two profoundly blind end users (both members from the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors) participated in the first Genoa beta test. A large room containing tables and chairs with adjacent kitchen facilities was chosen to simulate an everyday indoor living situation. Doc, who has had extensive experience guiding Ed Gallagher over the past year, trained Jango, Tom’s son who was participating as Assistant/Guide at a computer on how to direct the blind end users. Tom and Joy participated as the blind end users using either their usual cane and/or guide dog. For motivation twenty-dollar bills were spread around the room, on the tables, counters, in the refrigerator, in drawers among the utensils, in cupboards among the tableware, in the microwave and on the floor for the end users to find with their partner’s assistance.

The session started with Jango directing Tom to walk in the direction of the kitchen door, which was approximately ten steps away. As Tom entered the kitchen he was directed to walk over to the refrigerator and extend his right hand out in front at shoulder level. Tom did so, touching the refrigerator handle and opening the door. Jango looked into the refrigerator shelves and asked Tom to again extend his arm at waist level and grasp the milk container and bring it up towards the camera. Jango then read that the container was McDonald’s half and half. Next Jango asked Tom to return the container to the shelf and move his hand to the right and grasp a small container. Tom brought it up to the camera lens and Jango then informed him that it was Caesar salad dressing. He then asked him to pick up a small piece of paper on the lower shelf and put it to the camera lens. Jango informed Tom that he had just picked up a Twenty-dollar bill. Tom put it in his pocket and continued being directed around the room opening and discovering everything else in the kitchen, including lots of twenty-dollar bills! Joy was the next end user and after listening to directions given to Tom, she was able to speed through the same maneuvers with ease.

This initial demonstration indicated that it is extremely safe and easy for a blind person to quickly become familiar with a new environment and to be able to function confidently after their initial assistance. The next evaluation of the system will involve traveling outdoors, shopping and preparing dinner.