Advanced Orientation and Mobility: Tactile Maps and Fine Motor Skills

Friday, October 13 - 8:30 am - 2:30 pm

When you have vision loss, a tactile map can be a great way to orientate yourself to unfamiliar areas where you might want to explore. Tactile maps are designed to be read by touch and feel. They are used to guide you in new surroundings like malls, airports and even museums. Tactile maps use raised lines, points and textures to represent objects, locations or specific areas. Interpreting these maps using your sense of touch can take some time and practice. It is also easier when you have acquired good fine motor skills which can be developed in a variety of ways.

Gardening uses many manual skills and is a great way to enhance your fine motor skills. During a gardening activity, you are identifying plants and soil by touch. You use a variety of tools for digging, cutting or potting plants. By using your sense of touch when gardening, you are honing your fine motor skills which can help you better interpret tactile maps. Gardening has also been shown to have positive effects on mental, social, and physical health and provides a sense of community.

Our next advanced orientation and mobility outing is to the Chicago Botanic Gardens. You have the opportunity to take a hands-on class at the Buehler Enabling Garden. This gardening experience promotes universal design, tools, equipment and techniques to engage people of all abilities and ages in gardening.

Itinerary:
8:30 am: Arrive at Second Sense
8:45 am: Uber rides depart for the Garden in Glencoe
10:00 to 11:00 am: Buehler Enabling Garden class
11:00 am to 12:00 pm: Lunch at the garden
12:00 to 1:00 pm: Time to wander gardens (if desired)
1:00 pm: Depart for Second Sense
2:00 to 2:30 pm: schedule ride pickups from Second Sense

Special Notes:

• Second Sense is providing transportation to and from Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe with Uber.
• If you are bringing a guide dog, please have your gentle leader with you since this is a very distracting environment.

***If you would like to arrange your own transportation to and/or from the garden, please note the following:

• Let us know as soon as possible you are not traveling with the group.
• If not traveling with the group, you will be responsible for your own transportation expense.
• The address of Chicago Botanic Garden is 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022.
• Please be at the Garden by 9:45 am and arrange your pick up time for 12:30 pm.

Registration is required for this workshop. Space is limited to 6 participants.

To register please call Kathy Austin at 312-236-8569 or email email Kathy Austin.