I do not use a cane I’ve been a guide dog users for about 24 years. And I’ve been blind since I’ve been six months old. All I see is a tiny tiny bit of light in a tiny tiny tiny bit of shadow have to be close to my face. And I’m also deaf so I’m considered deaf blind. And you’re probably wondering how I know the video is because with hearing aids in each year and the volume turned all the way up I can make out some things that you are talking about. And without hearing aid I’m totally deaf so I’m considering deaf:blind so for me to travel safely I use a guide dog. When I’m traveling by myself so that means when I go on trains, buses, door-to-door bus, I use my guide dog. Now the only time I don’t have my guide dog is either when I’m with family or if my guide dog is sick. And another reason I pick and choose places I want him to go I will not take him to the movies, because it’s sticky floors but I don’t go to bars so that once you know. So I have a suitcase on wheels so I pulled a suitcase behind me with my right hand and my guide dog is in my left hand. Same with my laundry card on my laundry basket it’s on wheels with the handle so I pull it behind me and my guy dog guy it’s me Fineway with my personal laundry cart I either can push it and hold a harness and a card holder harness with one hand in the cart with the other and it works.
A couple of things I used to never want a wheelchair when they offered it to me but I always take it now. I thank a wheel chair makes life so much easier especially if you travel internationally and you got to go through immigration that’s great. I also do what you do with the yellow Velcro strip on the handle on your luggage I think that’s is also great to identify your luggage but in addition to that I take a picture of my luggage on my iPhone for whomever is helping me find it that has worked out nicely
Greetings from London! Someone I know (a close friend's neighbour) is going blind in her early 60s; macular degeneration I think. She panics and I can't say that I blame her. I will point her at your channel and this video in particular. A large part of your solution seems to be ask for help if you need it which appears to me to be excellent advice.
It's helpful to hear these videos because beginning to use a cane for the first time is really embarrassing. It's really good to know that the cane is there to let other people know that they have the opportunity to give you some awareness; and I've found they usually always will. Not wanting anyone to help is great until I'm getting into the wrong people's cars out in public.
Thanks for this, Sam! I did this when I started to get a migraine at the end of one of my trips in an airport I had never been to before. So, on top of the visual impairment, my migraine made it to where I couldn't see at all. I got into the airport, went to the ticket counter, and they led me exactly to my gate, just as you said. They had someone waiting once I got off the plane to lead me to my connecting flight. This was the first time I had used this service, so I was a little nervous about it, but everyone was so friendly. Overall, it was a very pleasant process, despite my terrible headache.
Great video. I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I missed out on an opportunity to travel to Florida for the Daytona 24hr race this year, mostly out of fear of traversing the airport and security on my own. Wish I'd have found this video sooner, would have given me the confidence I needed I think. Wonderful channel, happy I found it and keep up the good work!
Hey Sam , i too have been legally blind ever since i can remember thanks to Stargardts. I am 33 now. You know what, i have been unconsciously employing all these strategies you advise without even realizing it. Especially tagging my luggage for easier identification, asking for assistance from airport officials, identifying landmarks to avoid getting lost. I have about 20/400 visual acuity. However i still don't find the need to use a cane probably since i have been legally blind since childhood and innately developed different coping strategies.
That’s the cool thing about the vision impairment, we usually find the same methods to help with daily life. I’m about 20/400 as well and don’t use a cane for the most part. It’s only if I’m going in unfamiliar areas or traveling.
When I traveled alone in Europe, the guide books all recommended backpacks with hip straps so that's what I used. I found them super easy to manage with both hands free for holding a cane and having hands free if I needed to open a door or hold a railing. I just carried a soft sided duffel to put around the backpack if I needed to check it. I also carried a "bum bag" in the front so I had magnifier, monocular, maps and whatnot right handy. I read for security, keep your passport hidden inside under your shirt, I had a carry strap and an extra $40 for "emergencies." This was before pay as you go phones were handy, if I went today, I would get one of those for foreign travel. I'm not sure if it works, but I think google maps can also help you find your way around airports too. Like you could pin where you are and have it guide you with the walking setting on.
I'm not visually impaired, but this was in my feed and I clicked for the heck of it. Very fascinating, and I respect you for flying regardless of your challenges 👏
Just travelled solo with my white cane for the first time. It was a crash course in using it as my vision keeps deteriorating and the tips from this video helped a ton! Thanks man
Hey Sam! You and this channel are so great. I appreciate all of the tips and tricks that you use when traveling. I will definitely need to implement some of these that you have recommended even though I am already doing some. Thanks again, you’re an expert when it comes to blind and visually impaired content! Thanks Sam, love the videos! Matt
Great system. Also in some airlines you can inform the help you need in the booking process, so when you get in the airport, you ask for the person an he/she takes you to the check in and all the process. Thanks for all your videos. You are a great helper. Greetings from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
I have never been on a plane. All the travel I have done has been on Greyhound buses and Megabus buses. Yes the white cane is the best tool for letting others know that you are visually impaired. Yes you can put a note on your ticket saying you need assistance, but it may not always be specified.
Great video, Sam. As a VIP who travels frequently for work, these are all good tips. I will also say that Delta flight attendants are wonderful and always look out for me even though I am very independent. I travel through the same airports most of the time and can navigate pretty well, but I’m glad to have the option to ask for assistance if I need it. One thing I’ll add on luggage is that you could add a Tile tracker to your bag and ping it with your phone, but it will probably scare the baggage handler if your bag is still on the cart. It also works for bags in the overhead, because they often get moved around.
I totali agree with you, you are making me accept my sight problem and find a way to live with it. thank you very much man. I hope we can meet and talk. I really do. is like a reunion to "see" each other in person. for me would be a great occasion to talk about another point of you.
My daughter had a terrible accident in Orlando and I had to go and stay in hotels for the next 22 months just about. The first thing I found out is that after being at a hotel for a month I didn’t realize they had a Uber service for free from 8 AM to 8 PM so that I could go to different places within 5 miles for free. I also couldn’t read the signs on the desk when I checked in they said there were a special coffee events or even cocktail events for free at different times a Hawaiian afternoon with food and beverage. I missed all of those things. They had cookies every evening at between 5 and 6 PM and that also was on a card on their counter but no one thought to read it to me and I couldn’t see it. And I got up into the room I couldn’t figure out how do use the microwave. I couldn’t figure out how to change the temperature. I couldn’t tell the difference between the shampoo conditioner and body wash they were all in the same shape and size container. Even after learning about these things on the first month of her staying at a hotel, the following months were also difficult in similar and various ways. Least I was able to tell the next people at the next hotel some of the issues I ran into and if they would be kind enough to help me. One hotel actually offered free breakfast every morning but because it was on another card and they did not tell me, for a week I went without breakfast that was available. I’m glad you had this video on RUclips glad people are able to see or hear and learn different things to pay attention to and maybe change. A friend of mine has a podcast called the Tactile Traveler four sided and incited people. It has a lot of information as well.
Thank you very much for sharing this information! I’ve done several videos about hotel hacks and what to do when staying at a hotel. I’ll definitely mention some of these things in the next one.
❤️❤️❤️ Thank you so much for doing this video. My son took his first solo trip last year to Baltimore to the National Federation for the Blind Engineering Camp and it was challenging for him. We are hoping he will again get to go this year which is in Las Vegas. These tips are going to be beneficial for a better experience. Thank you for being awesome and sharing your experiences. Garret is finishing his freshman year in college where he knew no one and was 2.5 hours away from family and friends. It has been a very challenging year. Your videos are inspirational in letting others know that they are not alone. Again thank you.
I think that’s great! The best way to overcome anxiety about something is to just get in there and try it! There’s a chance I will be at the conference in Las Vegas, if I am he will have to stop by the booth and say hi
I recently had a slightly bigger problem- found my gate, buthad my on phone boarding alert sound. My plane had been pulled and my flight moved to another flight. The bigger problem: not only am i a VIP, but i use a non-folding power wheelchair! Uh oh! The gate agent could not have been nicer- not only did she help me find the new gate, she also assured me that me and my chair would get to DC together! And we did!! White canes are much easier to replace on the go than a power chair! This is why i use my older chair when i travel!!👍🏽😎
i love the video. we definitely have to be our best advocates. always speak up when you need help. you are dropping so many gems. i dont use a cane but I always use some type of markers when getting back somewhere. I pay attention to my surroundings and use the markers as well. I actually never considered it a system because i have just learned to do that. but its so true it really is a system. I always put a long colorful scarf on the handle of my luggage. thank you for the video.
If you a dependent of military you can ask if they have a special welcome room for you. They have everything you need and than some for makeing you trip enjoyable . Food,TC,drinks, even video gameing and sometimes the therapist is there giving massages for free everything in that room is free for military and their dependence. Always a great place to kill time if you have a layover and if you ask anybody like at the counter, they can tell you where that room is at and just thought you should know.
I do all of these things when traveling, with varying degrees of stress involved. Depending on the airport, when I explicitly tell the staff just what type of assistance I need, I’ve had a few act as if one, I’m a child or two, am legally insane, and after a five hour flight, they’re probably right to assume the second one, but in all seriousness air travel is very stressful to me. Preboarding is awesome! Being jostled and manhandled doesn’t work out well for anyone. I know many blind people who refuse assistance at the airport of any kind and look down on those who accept it. To each their own, but don’t knock someone for doing what works for them.
I took a trip to oakland and was checking a bag. Once i arrived, i went to baggage claim and found my luggage with a dark red ribbon i tied on which worked well.
Yup! I always have my cane with me. I have decent central vision in one eye and peripheral vision in my other eye. I don’t have any depth perception. And my husband likes to go to a local buffet that is extremely busy on Sundays. I basically don’t need it to get around in the restaurant, but I always use it because it’s so busy and to let people know I’m visually impaired.
Going on a bus tour in a group for the first time on my own. Funny that you are posting this video now. Sounds like you would do things the same way I would. Good tips! Greetings from The Netherlands.
Sam, thank you for another great video. I plan on using some of these tips soon as I take a trip. When I first lost my vision, I actually had to fly back and some of those tips I used as a literally one week old blind person and but some of those tips are new and fresh and great ideas.
A lot of awesome and useful information in this video Sam. The company I worked for makes fire suits so I because I was a sewing machine mechanic have an awesome sewing machine at home. I will have my wife so reflective fire suit trim to my bag. That will make it very easy to detect. Great video Once Again Sam.
I’ve always been too worried about missing gate changes to go too far from my gate. I usually just find the restroom and some food, then stay at my gate. The cane is a good tip though-I usually don’t use one, but carry it most of the time. I’d also mention looking up maps of the airport ahead of time and to prioritize getting tickets with a decent layover time.
Point you to a restaurant? Beyond my imagination on how a person who is totally blind would be able to figure that out! Anyhow I like your videos they are very educational and informative. Thank you very much 🤗
It's interesting that you say you like the isle seat. I feel like it's such a polarizing topic amongst my visually impaired friends. I for example will always ask for the window seat and even purchase it ahead of time because airport staff see disability and immediately thingk isle. My reason is that if I board first, and exit last because I'm waiting for assistance, I don't want to have to get up for other people to come in and out because then I have to think about where I can step and are they done can I go back to my seat. I also generally don't like using the restroom on the airplane so I know that if I sit by the window, I won’t be disturbed or have to worry about moving. And I’ve done this on intercontinental flights and generally I’ve been fine and not needed to use the restroom if I just use it at the airport before and after.
What I do when it comes to luggage is I use Emoji stickers and I place them on the sides the front and the back of my luggage so that's when I'm at the airport and someone is asking if they can help me find my luggage coming off the camera sound I just told him to look for the bag covered in emoji stickers they're really cheap on Amazon and if you use enough of them even if some fall off. Are plenty that are still on the bag and the people at the airport who were helping me thought that it was one of the most ingenious ideas they had seen in a long time But I also definitely like your yellow velcro handle idea 😁👍
Great video. I typically do not travel by myself through airports, however, I have BlindSquare and turned it on at Denver airport and it actually does work inside the airport pretty well. My daughter double checked and the restaurants or whatever it was identifying for the most part were accurate. Also I have made arrangements through TSA cares for somebody to help assist me through security and that varies from airport to airport but is a great option.
Just wanted to say thanks for the tips I’m visually impaired as well and was thinking of going on a trip and this has help me be less stressed about it
Luggage tags are great. You can place them to your seat, but you could also put it on your bags then you push the remote to hear it. Also good for hotel room, no counting rooms in a long hallway.
Thanks for posting this! Didn't actually see this in the couple years that I've been following your channel. I am in a similar position to you where I can see a decent amount. I have Nystagmus, Convergent Squint among other impairments and also have lack of depth perception. So I carry a long cane depending on whether I know my surroundings or not and how tired my eyes are. This video has actually helped me to figure out what's best for me in terms of traveling. Here in the UK we have a green lanyard with sunflowers on for people with hidden disabilities including visual impairment. I have tried this in train stations and it does help in asking for assistance, so thank you!
I am so glad I happened upon your channel. I just started working on my COMS license this month. I've had exactly two lessons with the cane. It's cool that I understand a lot of the 'lingo' you are using. Thanks a lot for your work. I have a lot to learn and I am certain your channel will be involved. Godspeed.
This video was also really helpful to hear... I had been wanting to do some travelling but have been really, really anxious about having to navigate through an airport on my own. Just knowing that someone will be happy to help me out with all that takes a huge burden off just thinking about all of it. Then its more about logistics and less about "can I even do this?"
Something I do for whenever I have to check in a bag, asides from marking it, I take a picture of ny bag. Then you. An show the picture to the person that is there assisting you, and they can helo you find the bag too.
I fly from Indianapolis to Atlanta to see my aunt and she helped me find my bag by putting bright colored Pipe cleaners on the handles. I also did not know we could pre-bored so thanks for that tip.
There are also "luggage finders" you hold the remote and put part in your bags. When the bags come out push the button and you will hear it.. look on Amazon for them Love them.
Hi Sam I always love your videos. I could still see them when I was legally blind, but now I’m blind with no light perception. I want to go on a cruise next year in 2024, but I guess I’m scared to travel since I won’t be able to see anything. I will be travelling with my husband who can see, but he’ll have a lot of things to deal with. I just want to be able to travel where I don’t always have to depend on my husband. My biggest fear is getting separated from my husband somewhere really busy like an airport or at the cruise terminal. It’s only been a year since I became blind. So I have lots of anxiety about traveling. I know so many blind in visually impaired people travel on their own, but I don’t think I could manage that. How do you travel anywhere like a foreign country when you can’t see anything?
Wow man, you are amazing. I really wish I had your confidence to use an airport alone. They are the WORST place for me as I get so stressed and panic, with all the noise, people, obstacles etc that are at an airport... even when I am travelling with my partner. My biggest fear is if my partner died I would be stuck and not able to use an airport to travel back to my family in Europe.
Hi Sam, since traveling from BWI to CWI airport I have used your advice regarding assistance & etc. I’m glad I did however from BWI lay over Chicago O’Hare airport they put me in a wheelchair. (Not necessary!) Other than that my flight was smooth sailing! thanks for the advice.
This was a great video! I have never flown on a plane before and I want to go to the NFB convention, so bad! These tips will help if I do end up going. Thank you for the video! XX Chelsey
VIBlind Resources oh i hope you can come. The convention is so great. Are you connected with your state chapter? Sometimes people travel together to the convention. I also recommend coming a day early so you can acclimate to the hotel, etc. It is a big place and can get quite hectic. If you can come early and explore with less pressure, it can be very helpful.
M M thank you for the advice! I am not involved in my state chapter. Do I just go to the meeting and that’s how I get involved? If I don’t end up going this year I would definitely go the next year because I’m not sure if I can get money for this year.xx Chelsey
VIBlind Resources yes each state has monthly meetings and some have them in various cities around the state or some have a remote call in meeting if you live in a rural area. If you call the NFB headquarters in Baltimore, they can help you get connected with people in your area. The phone number is 410-659-9315. What state are you from? Every state has a state convention, too. So if you wanted to start with that, it might be a great way to get connected with people locally before going to national. Please let me know if you have other questions. Happy to help.
Thank you for this!. I am going on my first independant trip in July to the blind convention in Vegas.. I am a little nervous. I have never been anywhere without my wife
Great video! Thank you for the tips. This makes me want to work even harder so I can achieve my dream of traveling worldwide. My vision is not going to stop me. :)
I actually talk about it in this video. Whenever I get to the gate I go up to the gate booth and let them know that I’m there and that I would like to pre-board. When I pre-board and get down to the airplane, I ask one of the flight attendants who are usually standing there to help me find my seat. I let them know that I can see fairly well but not well enough to read the seat numbers. They’re always happy to help me.
Great adivce I will remember keep in mind myself just wonder what kind of pack pack for safe travel sam I am rosalind feit fr nova scotia Canada and I have usher syndrome myself too and have a disability blance myself
Awesome video. I have a question, the tips you talked about in the video could they still be implemented even when traveling with a sighted person? I travel a lot with my mom especially if it is by plane due to a phobia of falling because of an accident I had when I was little.
Absolutely! These tips could be used to fill in the parts that your cited guide doesn’t do! Or could be used to not have to completely rely on your site to guide.
I am a high VIP. When I travelled with my sister, and I was going home after the trip, she asked for help for me. I was embarrassed, because they wanted to push me in a wheelchair. I can walk so that is annoying. The question I am asking is do some airports permit you to walk with the assistant while others use the wheelchair? Your take on this issue, please. Thanks
Every single airport I’ve been in has brought out the wheelchair. I always tell them that it’s not necessary, I can walk. I am able to follow the assistant to the gate. If needed, I could probably hold onto the wheelchair and be led that way as well. They never give me a hard time about not wanting to ride in the wheelchair.
I’m not fully blind (I’m stereoblind with 5% vision in my right eye) so I don’t need a cane, but I keep walking into people and thinks😂😅 But it’s really interesting to hear how you get around
Sakely exactly I told him I’m deaf line and they are quick to help me and I will put it on my ticket for the next people to help me. And I told them my guide dog can follow you with it no problem. Or if it’s too crowded they’ll pull my suitcase in their right hand and I will hold their left elbow like that but they definitely know and I’ll make sure they know I’m deaf blind greyhound or Amtrak so they will know that so that means I get to get seated first
••••• Can you do a video on Legally blind expats, living on SSDI abroad?... (I'm getting priced out of Florida due to inflation) U.S. citizens living on SSDI in South America, South East Asia, The Philippines, etc...
Good video. My wife would cheerfully shoot me with my own gun if I ever traveled without her LOL! We recently went to NYC on Amtrack. The people were very helpful. Times Square and the surrounding aria were simple to navigate and we were able to find anything we wanted once I figured the layout. She said she'd never live it down that her partially blind Husband was leading her around New York.
I really like using the home button so I would go for an iPhone 8 Plus. After the eights, they got rid of the home button and went to jesters only. They still work but it’s a little harder to navigate with voiceover.
![[DRAGON BALL LEGENDS REVEALS ＆ STUFF] LEGENDS FESTIVAL 2024 Special Edition Part 1](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/mV5bGIswTtQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I agree Sam... We have to be our own advocate when traveling alone. My eyes may not work normally, but my mouth works perfectly! LOL
"Not obvious enough" That will always amaze me. People always seem to say things like "So you are blind?" My usual response is "What gave it away"
I do not use a cane I’ve been a guide dog users for about 24 years. And I’ve been blind since I’ve been six months old. All I see is a tiny tiny bit of light in a tiny tiny tiny bit of shadow have to be close to my face. And I’m also deaf so I’m considered deaf blind. And you’re probably wondering how I know the video is because with hearing aids in each year and the volume turned all the way up I can make out some things that you are talking about. And without hearing aid I’m totally deaf so I’m considering deaf:blind so for me to travel safely I use a guide dog. When I’m traveling by myself so that means when I go on trains, buses, door-to-door bus, I use my guide dog. Now the only time I don’t have my guide dog is either when I’m with family or if my guide dog is sick. And another reason I pick and choose places I want him to go I will not take him to the movies, because it’s sticky floors but I don’t go to bars so that once you know. So I have a suitcase on wheels so I pulled a suitcase behind me with my right hand and my guide dog is in my left hand. Same with my laundry card on my laundry basket it’s on wheels with the handle so I pull it behind me and my guy dog guy it’s me Fineway with my personal laundry cart I either can push it and hold a harness and a card holder harness with one hand in the cart with the other and it works.
A couple of things I used to never want a wheelchair when they offered it to me but I always take it now. I thank a wheel chair makes life so much easier especially if you travel internationally and you got to go through immigration that’s great. I also do what you do with the yellow Velcro strip on the handle on your luggage I think that’s is also great to identify your luggage but in addition to that I take a picture of my luggage on my iPhone for whomever is helping me find it that has worked out nicely
Thank you so much for these tips! May God bless you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!❤️
@@cassidysoares3479 He's not god
Greetings from London! Someone I know (a close friend's neighbour) is going blind in her early 60s; macular degeneration I think. She panics and I can't say that I blame her. I will point her at your channel and this video in particular. A large part of your solution seems to be ask for help if you need it which appears to me to be excellent advice.
It's helpful to hear these videos because beginning to use a cane for the first time is really embarrassing. It's really good to know that the cane is there to let other people know that they have the opportunity to give you some awareness; and I've found they usually always will.
Not wanting anyone to help is great until I'm getting into the wrong people's cars out in public.
Thanks for this, Sam! I did this when I started to get a migraine at the end of one of my trips in an airport I had never been to before. So, on top of the visual impairment, my migraine made it to where I couldn't see at all. I got into the airport, went to the ticket counter, and they led me exactly to my gate, just as you said. They had someone waiting once I got off the plane to lead me to my connecting flight. This was the first time I had used this service, so I was a little nervous about it, but everyone was so friendly. Overall, it was a very pleasant process, despite my terrible headache.
Great video. I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I missed out on an opportunity to travel to Florida for the Daytona 24hr race this year, mostly out of fear of traversing the airport and security on my own. Wish I'd have found this video sooner, would have given me the confidence I needed I think. Wonderful channel, happy I found it and keep up the good work!
I liked the idea of using the cane for identification. I think that even I don’t needing it yet, it’s a great identification.
Hey Sam , i too have been legally blind ever since i can remember thanks to Stargardts.
I am 33 now.
You know what, i have been unconsciously employing all these strategies you advise without even realizing it.
Especially tagging my luggage for easier identification, asking for assistance from airport officials, identifying landmarks to avoid getting lost. I have about 20/400 visual acuity. However i still don't find the need to use a cane probably since i have been legally blind since childhood and innately developed different coping strategies.
That’s the cool thing about the vision impairment, we usually find the same methods to help with daily life. I’m about 20/400 as well and don’t use a cane for the most part. It’s only if I’m going in unfamiliar areas or traveling.
When I traveled alone in Europe, the guide books all recommended backpacks with hip straps so that's what I used. I found them super easy to manage with both hands free for holding a cane and having hands free if I needed to open a door or hold a railing. I just carried a soft sided duffel to put around the backpack if I needed to check it. I also carried a "bum bag" in the front so I had magnifier, monocular, maps and whatnot right handy. I read for security, keep your passport hidden inside under your shirt, I had a carry strap and an extra $40 for "emergencies." This was before pay as you go phones were handy, if I went today, I would get one of those for foreign travel. I'm not sure if it works, but I think google maps can also help you find your way around airports too. Like you could pin where you are and have it guide you with the walking setting on.
I'm not visually impaired, but this was in my feed and I clicked for the heck of it. Very fascinating, and I respect you for flying regardless of your challenges 👏
Thank you very much!
Great tips Sam. Love the counting the tile stripes on the floor technique for navigation.
I've also had really positive experiences with airport staff. It's fun to hear about your systems for airport navigation success!
Just travelled solo with my white cane for the first time. It was a crash course in using it as my vision keeps deteriorating and the tips from this video helped a ton! Thanks man
Hey Sam! You and this channel are so great. I appreciate all of the tips and tricks that you use when traveling. I will definitely need to implement some of these that you have recommended even though I am already doing some. Thanks again, you’re an expert when it comes to blind and visually impaired content! Thanks Sam, love the videos! Matt
Great system. Also in some airlines you can inform the help you need in the booking process, so when you get in the airport, you ask for the person an he/she takes you to the check in and all the process.
Thanks for all your videos. You are a great helper.
Greetings from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
I have never been on a plane. All the travel I have done has been on Greyhound buses and Megabus buses. Yes the white cane is the best tool for letting others know that you are visually impaired. Yes you can put a note on your ticket saying you need assistance, but it may not always be specified.
Great video, Sam. As a VIP who travels frequently for work, these are all good tips. I will also say that Delta flight attendants are wonderful and always look out for me even though I am very independent. I travel through the same airports most of the time and can navigate pretty well, but I’m glad to have the option to ask for assistance if I need it. One thing I’ll add on luggage is that you could add a Tile tracker to your bag and ping it with your phone, but it will probably scare the baggage handler if your bag is still on the cart. It also works for bags in the overhead, because they often get moved around.
Great recommendation, thanks!
I totali agree with you, you are making me accept my sight problem and find a way to live with it.
thank you very much man.
I hope we can meet and talk. I really do. is like a reunion to "see" each other in person.
for me would be a great occasion to talk about another point of you.
My daughter had a terrible accident in Orlando and I had to go and stay in hotels for the next 22 months just about. The first thing I found out is that after being at a hotel for a month I didn’t realize they had a Uber service for free from 8 AM to 8 PM so that I could go to different places within 5 miles for free. I also couldn’t read the signs on the desk when I checked in they said there were a special coffee events or even cocktail events for free at different times a Hawaiian afternoon with food and beverage. I missed all of those things. They had cookies every evening at between 5 and 6 PM and that also was on a card on their counter but no one thought to read it to me and I couldn’t see it. And I got up into the room I couldn’t figure out how do use the microwave. I couldn’t figure out how to change the temperature. I couldn’t tell the difference between the shampoo conditioner and body wash they were all in the same shape and size container. Even after learning about these things on the first month of her staying at a hotel, the following months were also difficult in similar and various ways. Least I was able to tell the next people at the next hotel some of the issues I ran into and if they would be kind enough to help me. One hotel actually offered free breakfast every morning but because it was on another card and they did not tell me, for a week I went without breakfast that was available. I’m glad you had this video on RUclips glad people are able to see or hear and learn different things to pay attention to and maybe change. A friend of mine has a podcast called the Tactile Traveler four sided and incited people. It has a lot of information as well.
Thank you very much for sharing this information! I’ve done several videos about hotel hacks and what to do when staying at a hotel. I’ll definitely mention some of these things in the next one.
Amazing video😊
This is really helpful.
Make more videos on travelling
❤️❤️❤️ Thank you so much for doing this video. My son took his first solo trip last year to Baltimore to the National Federation for the Blind Engineering Camp and it was challenging for him. We are hoping he will again get to go this year which is in Las Vegas. These tips are going to be beneficial for a better experience.
Thank you for being awesome and sharing your experiences. Garret is finishing his freshman year in college where he knew no one and was 2.5 hours away from family and friends. It has been a very challenging year. Your videos are inspirational in letting others know that they are not alone. Again thank you.
Great idea to have him try it in his own, this build SO much independence!! I know he is so excited to attend a conference like that.
I think that’s great! The best way to overcome anxiety about something is to just get in there and try it! There’s a chance I will be at the conference in Las Vegas, if I am he will have to stop by the booth and say hi
I recently had a slightly bigger problem- found my gate, buthad my on phone boarding alert sound. My plane had been pulled and my flight moved to another flight. The bigger problem: not only am i a VIP, but i use a non-folding power wheelchair! Uh oh! The gate agent could not have been nicer- not only did she help me find the new gate, she also assured me that me and my chair would get to DC together! And we did!! White canes are much easier to replace on the go than a power chair! This is why i use my older chair when i travel!!👍🏽😎
i love the video. we definitely have to be our best advocates. always speak up when you need help. you are dropping so many gems. i dont use a cane but I always use some type of markers when getting back somewhere. I pay attention to my surroundings and use the markers as well. I actually never considered it a system because i have just learned to do that. but its so true it really is a system. I always put a long colorful scarf on the handle of my luggage. thank you for the video.
Thanks for the trick.
You encourage us to be more independent .
My love from cyprus 🇨🇾
If you a dependent of military you can ask if they have a special welcome room for you. They have everything you need and than some for makeing you trip enjoyable . Food,TC,drinks, even video gameing and sometimes the therapist is there giving massages for free everything in that room is free for military and their dependence. Always a great place to kill time if you have a layover and if you ask anybody like at the counter, they can tell you where that room is at and just thought you should know.
Thank you so much for doing this video I'm going to be traveling for the first time since I became visually impaired and this was extremely helpful ❤
Love the airport landmark system!! I often do the same thing!
I do all of these things when traveling, with varying degrees of stress involved. Depending on the airport, when I explicitly tell the staff just what type of assistance I need, I’ve had a few act as if one, I’m a child or two, am legally insane, and after a five hour flight, they’re probably right to assume the second one, but in all seriousness air travel is very stressful to me.
Preboarding is awesome! Being jostled and manhandled doesn’t work out well for anyone.
I know many blind people who refuse assistance at the airport of any kind and look down on those who accept it. To each their own, but don’t knock someone for doing what works for them.
Taking a picture is a great idea!
I took a trip to oakland and was checking a bag. Once i arrived, i went to baggage claim and found my luggage with a dark red ribbon i tied on which worked well.
Yup! I always have my cane with me. I have decent central vision in one eye and peripheral vision in my other eye. I don’t have any depth perception. And my husband likes to go to a local buffet that is extremely busy on Sundays. I basically don’t need it to get around in the restaurant, but I always use it because it’s so busy and to let people know I’m visually impaired.
Going on a bus tour in a group for the first time on my own. Funny that you are posting this video now. Sounds like you would do things the same way I would. Good tips! Greetings from The Netherlands.
Sam, thank you for another great video. I plan on using some of these tips soon as I take a trip. When I first lost my vision, I actually had to fly back and some of those tips I used as a literally one week old blind person and but some of those tips are new and fresh and great ideas.
A lot of awesome and useful information in this video Sam. The company I worked for makes fire suits so I because I was a sewing machine mechanic have an awesome sewing machine at home. I will have my wife so reflective fire suit trim to my bag. That will make it very easy to detect. Great video Once Again Sam.
Great idea!
I always get scared doing this and I would love to yravel
Omg! Thank you so so much! I cannot wait to Travel by air now ❤ Never been on a plane
I’ve always been too worried about missing gate changes to go too far from my gate. I usually just find the restroom and some food, then stay at my gate. The cane is a good tip though-I usually don’t use one, but carry it most of the time.
I’d also mention looking up maps of the airport ahead of time and to prioritize getting tickets with a decent layover time.
i wrapped brightly colored yellow taple around the four outside areas of my suitcase on the front and back. :D
Point you to a restaurant? Beyond my imagination on how a person who is totally blind would be able to figure that out! Anyhow I like your videos they are very educational and informative. Thank you very much 🤗
Thanks mate for your tips! I’ll use them during my next trip!!❤
Sam- another great video!! I will show this to my high school kid, but also my families that travel with children with blindness/ VI
It's interesting that you say you like the isle seat. I feel like it's such a polarizing topic amongst my visually impaired friends. I for example will always ask for the window seat and even purchase it ahead of time because airport staff see disability and immediately thingk isle. My reason is that if I board first, and exit last because I'm waiting for assistance, I don't want to have to get up for other people to come in and out because then I have to think about where I can step and are they done can I go back to my seat. I also generally don't like using the restroom on the airplane so I know that if I sit by the window, I won’t be disturbed or have to worry about moving. And I’ve done this on intercontinental flights and generally I’ve been fine and not needed to use the restroom if I just use it at the airport before and after.
What I do when it comes to luggage is I use Emoji stickers and I place them on the sides the front and the back of my luggage so that's when I'm at the airport and someone is asking if they can help me find my luggage coming off the camera sound I just told him to look for the bag covered in emoji stickers they're really cheap on Amazon and if you use enough of them even if some fall off. Are plenty that are still on the bag and the people at the airport who were helping me thought that it was one of the most ingenious ideas they had seen in a long time
But I also definitely like your yellow velcro handle idea 😁👍
Great vid, I just went to D.C. recently and used many of these tips!
Thanks for the great info. I pkan on using these techniques next week when i fly. I tie s bright colored ribbon on my luggage handle. Helps me a lot.
Great video. I typically do not travel by myself through airports, however, I have BlindSquare and turned it on at Denver airport and it actually does work inside the airport pretty well. My daughter double checked and the restaurants or whatever it was identifying for the most part were accurate. Also I have made arrangements through TSA cares for somebody to help assist me through security and that varies from airport to airport but is a great option.
Great video, think I will be traveling alone for the first time soon and this is very helpful
These are great. I haven’t traveled alone on a plane yet but I’m going to have to keep these in mind when I do.
I really think you would have no problems Juan!
Just wanted to say thanks for the tips I’m visually impaired as well and was thinking of going on a trip and this has help me be less stressed about it
Good, glad it has helped!
I use colored ribbons or fluorescent tape it’s really bright so I can identify my bags
Tus is for these advices! Greetings from Peru! 🇵🇪
Luggage tags are great. You can place them to your seat, but you could also put it on your bags then you push the remote to hear it. Also good for hotel room, no counting rooms in a long hallway.
Great idea!
Thanks for posting this! Didn't actually see this in the couple years that I've been following your channel. I am in a similar position to you where I can see a decent amount. I have Nystagmus, Convergent Squint among other impairments and also have lack of depth perception. So I carry a long cane depending on whether I know my surroundings or not and how tired my eyes are. This video has actually helped me to figure out what's best for me in terms of traveling. Here in the UK we have a green lanyard with sunflowers on for people with hidden disabilities including visual impairment. I have tried this in train stations and it does help in asking for assistance, so thank you!
Really cool, thanks
I've been employing some of your strategies, as a totally blind person!
Great video! Very helpful! I haven’t gotten adventurous enough to travel by myself this really helpful 👍
Thanks Sam. Once again a very practical share. .. and I got gopro dizzy for free...whilst watching under my desktop magnifier 😂
Very helpful. I just posted it to a vision support group I belong to.
Great, thanks!
I am so glad I happened upon your channel. I just started working on my COMS license this month. I've had exactly two lessons with the cane. It's cool that I understand a lot of the 'lingo' you are using. Thanks a lot for your work. I have a lot to learn and I am certain your channel will be involved. Godspeed.
That’s great! I hope you find the videos helpful!
Great informative video. Thanks a lot for the tips.
That's awesome Sam! We do the same... Sometimes though, they ask is to go in wheelchairs which really ticks me off. Lol
Live Accessible that happens often in India
Yeah, they try that with me too and I always say no! LOL
The Blind Life actually we should enjoy a free ride not take these things seriously 😜
Fab video! I'm Partially blind! I have a question: how can i go on the plane first before of Anyone else? I needed this video thx❤
Great job Sam! I count rows when I travel!
This video was also really helpful to hear... I had been wanting to do some travelling but have been really, really anxious about having to navigate through an airport on my own. Just knowing that someone will be happy to help me out with all that takes a huge burden off just thinking about all of it. Then its more about logistics and less about "can I even do this?"
Lmao just for the security tip .. I am going to try that... I hate security because of my low vision lol.. The dark tile trick
. I do that too
My son 11 year old is 100% blind due to brain tumour surgery. He is fighting with brain tumour for last 6 years. Can you give any advice for my son
Something I do for whenever I have to check in a bag, asides from marking it, I take a picture of ny bag. Then you. An show the picture to the person that is there assisting you, and they can helo you find the bag too.
Great idea!
I fly from Indianapolis to Atlanta to see my aunt and she helped me find my bag by putting bright colored Pipe cleaners on the handles. I also did not know we could pre-bored so thanks for that tip.
There are also "luggage finders" you hold the remote and put part in your bags. When the bags come out push the button and you will hear it.. look on Amazon for them
Love them.
@@lesliebailiff7738 Awesome thanks
Incredible video Sam. Keep them up. Thank you.
I think I have lower vision than you. I bought a really bright green bag to use when I need to chaeck one. It has been a great help on many trips
Great tips Sam, thank you
Lots of helpful tips here.
did you know that if you're nice and kind with the Crue they will help you more during the trip? anyway I will use those tips. thanks you my friend
Hi Sam
I always love your videos. I could still see them when I was legally blind, but now I’m blind with no light perception. I want to go on a cruise next year in 2024, but I guess I’m scared to travel since I won’t be able to see anything. I will be travelling with my husband who can see, but he’ll have a lot of things to deal with. I just want to be able to travel where I don’t always have to depend on my husband. My biggest fear is getting separated from my husband somewhere really busy like an airport or at the cruise terminal. It’s only been a year since I became blind. So I have lots of anxiety about traveling. I know so many blind in visually impaired people travel on their own, but I don’t think I could manage that. How do you travel anywhere like a foreign country when you can’t see anything?
Wow man, you are amazing. I really wish I had your confidence to use an airport alone. They are the WORST place for me as I get so stressed and panic, with all the noise, people, obstacles etc that are at an airport... even when I am travelling with my partner. My biggest fear is if my partner died I would be stuck and not able to use an airport to travel back to my family in Europe.
I completely understand, it can be very overwhelming! But, if you want it, you can get help from the very start, all the way to the end.
Hi Sam, since traveling from BWI to CWI airport I have used your advice regarding assistance & etc. I’m glad I did however from BWI lay over Chicago O’Hare airport they put me in a wheelchair. (Not necessary!) Other than that my flight was smooth sailing! thanks for the advice.
This was a great video! I have never flown on a plane before and I want to go to the NFB convention, so bad! These tips will help if I do end up going. Thank you for the video! XX Chelsey
VIBlind Resources oh i hope you can come. The convention is so great. Are you connected with your state chapter? Sometimes people travel together to the convention. I also recommend coming a day early so you can acclimate to the hotel, etc. It is a big place and can get quite hectic. If you can come early and explore with less pressure, it can be very helpful.
M M thank you for the advice! I am not involved in my state chapter. Do I just go to the meeting and that’s how I get involved? If I don’t end up going this year I would definitely go the next year because I’m not sure if I can get money for this year.xx Chelsey
VIBlind Resources yes each state has monthly meetings and some have them in various cities around the state or some have a remote call in meeting if you live in a rural area. If you call the NFB headquarters in Baltimore, they can help you get connected with people in your area. The phone number is 410-659-9315. What state are you from? Every state has a state convention, too. So if you wanted to start with that, it might be a great way to get connected with people locally before going to national. Please let me know if you have other questions. Happy to help.
M M thank you so much for the information! I’m from California. I will definitely have to call! :-) xx Chelsey
Great! Thank you so much !
Thank you for this!. I am going on my first independant trip in July to the blind convention in Vegas.. I am a little nervous. I have never been anywhere without my wife
There’s a chance I will be at that conference. If I am, you’ll have to stop by the booth and say hi!
Thank you this video was very helpful.
Great video! Thank you for the tips. This makes me want to work even harder so I can achieve my dream of traveling worldwide. My vision is not going to stop me. :)
You can do it!
Awesome video man love the channel
I mention you in my Q&A video
That’s awesome, thanks man!
Thank you for this
Thank you!
Great video. I have a seeing eye wife who "drags" me through airports.😁 Oh the stories I could tell.
How do you go about preboarding? My biggest worry traveling alone soon is finding my seat! It’s always so hectic boarding :(
I actually talk about it in this video. Whenever I get to the gate I go up to the gate booth and let them know that I’m there and that I would like to pre-board. When I pre-board and get down to the airplane, I ask one of the flight attendants who are usually standing there to help me find my seat. I let them know that I can see fairly well but not well enough to read the seat numbers. They’re always happy to help me.
Great adivce I will remember keep in mind myself just wonder what kind of pack pack for safe travel sam I am rosalind feit fr nova scotia Canada and I have usher syndrome myself too and have a disability blance myself
Awesome video. I have a question, the tips you talked about in the video could they still be implemented even when traveling with a sighted person? I travel a lot with my mom especially if it is by plane due to a phobia of falling because of an accident I had when I was little.
Absolutely! These tips could be used to fill in the parts that your cited guide doesn’t do! Or could be used to not have to completely rely on your site to guide.
I am a high VIP. When I travelled with my sister, and I was going home after the trip, she asked for help for me. I was embarrassed, because they wanted to push me in a wheelchair. I can walk so that is annoying. The question I am asking is do some airports permit you to walk with the assistant while others use the wheelchair? Your take on this issue, please. Thanks
Every single airport I’ve been in has brought out the wheelchair. I always tell them that it’s not necessary, I can walk. I am able to follow the assistant to the gate. If needed, I could probably hold onto the wheelchair and be led that way as well. They never give me a hard time about not wanting to ride in the wheelchair.
When I flew back to DC I had my cane, but they STILL did make me go through security.
Hi I really enjoyed u tips. Can u tell us if u ate doing shoping whee there are numbering on some Ile
sam this was a great video
I’m not fully blind (I’m stereoblind with 5% vision in my right eye) so I don’t need a cane, but I keep walking into people and thinks😂😅
But it’s really interesting to hear how you get around
Do have a guide dog or are you a full-time cane user
What do you do or say when people just grab you by the arm or put their hands on you without saying anything?
Sakely exactly I told him I’m deaf line and they are quick to help me and I will put it on my ticket for the next people to help me. And I told them my guide dog can follow you with it no problem. Or if it’s too crowded they’ll pull my suitcase in their right hand and I will hold their left elbow like that but they definitely know and I’ll make sure they know I’m deaf blind greyhound or Amtrak so they will know that so that means I get to get seated first
••••• Can you do a video on Legally blind expats, living on SSDI abroad?...
(I'm getting priced out of Florida due to inflation)
U.S. citizens living on SSDI in South America, South East Asia, The Philippines, etc...
Good video. My wife would cheerfully shoot me with my own gun if I ever traveled without her LOL! We recently went to NYC on Amtrack. The people were very helpful. Times Square and the surrounding aria were simple to navigate and we were able to find anything we wanted once I figured the layout. She said she'd never live it down that her partially blind Husband was leading her around New York.
I am currently in New York City and have been navigating all over Manhattan today. The fact that the city is laid out in a grid system helps!
HI SAM.
I HAVE A QUESTION THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS VIDEO. WHAT IS THE RUclipsR NAME THAT DEALS WITH IPHONE FOR THE BLIND. THANKS.
AN ODYSSEY OF STEVEN ruclips.net/p/PLcIupCht58IcZ8m3fS4fScuB8phKEcdSi
Derek Daniel does a lot with iPhone. I do as well.
THANKS SAM. I AM THINKING ABOUT GETTING A IPHONE, BUT I AM NOT SURE WHAT MODEL TO GET. WHAT IS YOUR SUGGESTION? THANKS.
I really like using the home button so I would go for an iPhone 8 Plus. After the eights, they got rid of the home button and went to jesters only. They still work but it’s a little harder to navigate with voiceover.
THANKS SAM!!! @@theblindlife
🗽