A preliminary followup study of electronic travel aid users.

The history of electronic travel aids (ETAs) for blind travelers is not lengthy, particularly the period of commercial availability. However, during these few years there have been many modifications to the aids and to methods of instructing potential users . The C-5 Laser Cane has replaced the C-4 Laser Cane and the Sonicguide is today 's name for the Binaural Sensory Aid, while the training of Orientation and Mobility Specialists has been refined and systematized with university-based ETA programs . Training methods have been improved as a result of these programs and the accumulation of experience and research in the use of the devices . Yet there remain many areas in which a paucity of accessible information exists. For example, given the variety of ETAs and the many potential users, how does one match an aid with an individual? What factors should be considered? How is an aid integrated (or not integrated) into a user 's lifestyle? In general these questions have not been answered because the primary focus of effort has been on developing useable aids and delivery of those aids to potential users—with little emphasis on the longer-term consequences. Since 1971 the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) has participated in delivery of ETAs to selected veterans . During this time 26 veterans have been trained with, and issued, either a Laser Cane or Sonicguide, and a much larger number have been evaluated