Personally I think there has to be a lot of work on transport etc. The talking GPS systems are a start, and I did hear about a device to tell you what stop you're at on a bus but I think a lot more here would help.

Of course this depends what sort of area you're in and how much sight you have. I'm in an area where I would need to use bus/train to get anywhere useful, not being able to drive, and having no sight I just can't get my head around counting the stops either. As to "ask the driver", pah you ever tried that? They ever remember to tell you when you're there?

Sounds like the Trekker/Meistro set up would be what you're looking for

Not saying it couldn't be improved though, or the price reduced. Heck instead of paying for a taxi for me when I went to college they could have bought me a Trekker for far less, and just given me a little route training then I would be able to go on the bus with any luck.

I agree with ya CJ, and
The braille superstore/Future aids
Has a money brailler there so that resolves your money problem.

I personally would love a gps system that I could use myself properly, I enjoy walking and the amount of times I have to order taxis to places just because I do not know where they are is a real pest, ---- in fact, if anyone can recommend me a relatively cheap one (not requiring me to buy a palm top or synth for my phone), that'd be very helpful.

I get trains a heck of a lot, and apart from the usual troubles with delays they work fairly well, ----- though I often wish platform numbers were marked in braille, sinse this would mean I don't have to hastle station staff for assistance when I need to get a train from an unusual platform who's location I don't know (and locating said station staff at ten at night can be really fun as well).

I really dislike busses, for not announcing stops, and for random journey times (you can work out usually how long a train takes to get somewhere), and most trains (including the metro in newcastle), also announce stops, which makes life easier. then, if by chance I were to miss the stop on a train, finding a train going in the other direction is infinitely possible (though might require a long wait), where as if I missed a buss stop, I'm mildly stuck for finding another one going back to where I need.

I believe in London though they are actually testing busses with an auto stop announce system like trains, ---- so hopefully this will catch on.

as for shopping, well supermarkits have a move round so often that any sort of isle markers would be a pest, ---- and the amount of time it would take to read all those lables in braille or even scan barcodes would be rather extensive I think, and that's before getting into offers etc.

It would however be really nice if things came with cooking instructions in braille, usually (assuming I can find a relatively inteligent shop assistant), I have to ask them for the time and temperature of items I'm not familiar with, and then record it on my parrot.

Of course though, hopefully the Laforge esque viser will be developed soon, making this sort of thing less needed ;D.

Oh, actually there is work being done on both nervous regeneration and stimulating the visual cortex through a camera, but it is stil I think in the experimental stage thus far.

Which trains are those Cx2? all the national trains I've used have, as to the metro trains iin newcastle.

I thought the gps thing might be a bit rediculous, ---- which is stupid being as a tom tom for a car (wich can also be set to walking mode), is only about

Well, I can understand about local trains being a pest. Luckily, even though Durham is fairly local from newcastle it's on the main line so I get all the national trains while going there, ---- ditto for going back to nottingham to see my parents.

A gps is something I'd really like, ---- in fact a friend of mine said that for me a Gps would be like owning a car, sinse my freedom to go to random places I'd not been before would just be massively increased, ---- not to mention getting back to familiar places from different ones without needing to irritate my friends, and to walk off in random directions for pleasure, and be able to get back successfully.

ok...I have the money brailler but thanks Andy,
I wish i could have a gps system that doesn't go on my braille note so its not a hastle to have with me because I just love to walk places in my town and just listen to the noises around me like especially stuff in the background
say from like a block away, you know what I'm saying?
I only get this plessure when I walk home from school by myself, and I don't know where else to walk.

Well, as I said I've love one, ---- but I do not have a spare thousand pounds on me at the moment, which is annoying, ---- especially given the relative price of the tom tom.

ha, yes

Hmmmm, Cx2, which they is providing taxis? I can use my Phd disabled student allowence to pay for transport and or assistance at going to conferences related to my research, ---- bbut all other transport is payed for by me, ---- the only concession I get particularly is a disabled rail card.

Ah, that makes sense, I got similar taxis to and from the school where I was doing my A-levels.

Lol. You could get lost. Sure there's nothing to hit. But you could get lost. I dont really have any suggestions to that.