STAFF WRITER kwhitney@republicanherald.com
POTTSVILLE Leonard "Lenny" A. McHugh, 59, is relishing the new advantages of getting lost. With his new Trekker GPS system a software program that runs through a handheld DELL Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), the lifelong Pottsville resident is able to map out walking and driving routes as well as learn about streets and sites he never even knew existed. "In the beginning, I was a little doubtful about purchasing it," McHugh said of his new equipment. "There's a 30-day trial period, but it's not going back."
McHugh has been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that's left him legally blind since he was a child. "Well, I knew that I could sit in a corner and feel sorry for myself or do what everybody else does," McHugh said. McHugh, a retired computer systems analyst and father of two daughters; Kelly, 31, and Susan, 29, is also an avid woodworker which makes Karen, his wife of 32 years, only slightly nervous. But McHugh's new device appeals to his spirit of independence.
The Trekker had its beginnings four years ago with a Canadian company called VisuAide, Inc. Since then, it's merged with New Zealand-based HumanWare, a company dedicated to bringing new technology to the blind and visually impaired. Virtual Vision Technologies, Aldan, is the only distributor in the state. Many of its employees including Angie Giltanin are blind, and have been with the project since its inception. "Everything used to be wired on a big strap it drew attention to the handicap," said Giltanin, sales and training manager. "But the map details got better and more accurate. About a year ago, it went wireless which is much less obtrusive." The new system uses a mini-receiver for GPS coordinates, which "talks" to the PDA using Bluetooth technology. The Trekker then speaks to the user, via a small speaker, alerting them to their location, where they're headed, and points of interest along the journey. Matthew Janusauskas, Technical Support and Training Manager for Humanware, Chicago, said company employees often laugh about the time their co-worker André came into the office after testing the Trekker system. "He was very excited," Janusauskas said. "He had just found out that there was a Pizza Hut on his walk to work even though he had been using the same route for three years."
Janusauskas said the approach was rather low-tech, but effective. The initial problem with the PDA device was that blind people were having difficulty with the touch screen. The solution, a 50-cent piece of plastic with tactile buttons that slips over the device and allows users to accurately operate the system. The system evolved after extensive testing and retesting. The latest version Trekker 3.0 was released at the end of October.
"I feel much more independent," Giltanin said. "And I have a greater sense of self-esteem." Giltinan said one of her favorite success stories was about a woman who broke down in tears, knowing that she could walk her daughter to her elementary school and explore the community with her. "Blind people just get overwhelmed by all of the new stuff around them," Giltinan said. "I would never want to be without it." However, this system is not a replacement for seeing-eye dogs or the traditional white cane. Giltinan said the Trekker is an invaluable tool for direction, but it will not tell you when a street is safe to cross or whether a curb is approaching.
"It's designed for how blind people travel," Janusauskas said, "When you're about 25 to 30 feet from the street corner, it will announce the intersection not when you get there." Janusauskas said the designers were conscientious of the blind having to use their hearing at corners to listen for approaching traffic a safety precaution on the part of the software. Janusauskas said much of the appeal is that the Trekker can be used by both the computer savvy and the technologically illiterate. "It's a completely automatic process," Janusauskas said. "The blind person doesn't really need to press the buttons unless he needs more info." The Trekker can also provide phone numbers of businesses and points of interest. The Trekker also allows users to make their own points of interest. For example, if a user wanted to take a walk in the woods, they could make their car or another landmark a point of interest, allowing them to walk freely and be able to find their way back.
At the fairly hefty price of $1695, it's not readily affordable for the estimated 10 million blind and visually impaired Americans. Lucia Gomez, product manager for HumanWare, Quebec, Canada, said the company has only sold approximately 1,800 units in North America, but hopes to see the product made readily available to the blind in the future via government assistance. Giltanin said Lions Club grants and loans are available to interested persons. McHugh purchased his Trekker through Guide Dog Users, Inc. As a member, McHugh was able to have $100 shaved off the price.
"There's so much it can do," McHugh said. "I've lived in Pottsville my entire life and I'm learning about things I never knew." "It's absolutely fabulous," Janusauskas said. "And it's not science fiction, it's not Star Trek."
©The REPUBLICAN & Herald 2006
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