RECOVERY TECHNIQUES

FIVE OPTIONS-”TAPIN”

A sequential methods of regaining orientation.

PRESENTED BY THE STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY O&M FACULTY

Bill Bryan, COMS Bob Bryant, COMS Barry Stafford, COMS Assistants: Laura Watson, Undergraduate O&M

Student Brenda Lee, Graduate O&M Student

RECOVERY-CANE CHECKING PROCEDURE

1. Move toes to grass.2. Check straight in front3. Check 45º away from parallel

street4. Clear toward parallel street until

cane is pointed toward the street

OPTION ONE-(toward street)

If there is a sidewalk, turn 90 degrees facing the parallel street

Shoreline on the side of the desired direction of travel

If a sidewalk is located take it and clear both sides

If the street is located, turn 180º and shoreline away from the street.

If there is not a sidewalk toward the parallel street try option two.

OPTION TWO (away from street)

If grass or street is located on the street side, check 180º away from the parallel street.

If there is a sidewalk, turn 90 degrees and shoreline on side of desired travel. If there is no sidewalk away, try option three

OPTION THREE (Plow through)

If there is grass locate at 90 degrees on both sides, try to continue straight ahead.

Clear 180º every three to four steps to check for sidewalk

If surface becomes unsafe to travel on try option four.

OPTION FOUR(residential curb travel)

ONLY USE IF:ON LEGAL SIDE (LEFT) OF STREETSTREET IS SAFE TO TRAVEL ON

Travel to street, walk along the edge and use touch trail technique until sidewalk or corner is located.If cannot use safely, go to option five.

OPTION FIVE

Plan a new route

ADVANTAGESTHESE OPTIONS WILL CORRECT:

Veering into and out of driveways Off-set sidewalks toward and away

from the street Sidewalks covered with sand, grass,

leaves, etc. Dead end sidewalks

STREET RECOVERY

Option one of sidewalk recovery will also work when veering to the left or right of the sidewalk after a street crossing.

The three point will be utilized instead of shorelining.

RECOVERY FROM THE PARALLEL STREET Stop and turn at least 90 degrees away

from the parallel street. Travel to the curb and clear 180 degrees

checking for a sidewalk. If sidewalk is not located, turn 90 degrees

in the same directions as you turned to get out of the street and 3 point until a sidewalk is located.

VERIFYING PROPER DIRECTION OF TRAVEL Place parallel traffic on the correct side If there is no traffic or it is on the wrong

side, shoreline on the side the parallel street should be on

Take the first sidewalk, it will either take you to the parallel street or you will be on the correct sidewalk