Kelvingrove park Glasgow – 08.22

We recently organised a small group of visually impaired people, with volunteer sighted guides, to go a lovely walk in our local park.

We wanted to get each pair to try all our Ramble Tag range, while we listened and recorded feedback and photos.  It was a lovely morning, and we want to share the feedback and results from the day.  We encouraged honesty, we’ve heard it all, but we were delighted at the 100% positive feedback.

Some of our VIP guests were used to using their guide dog, or white cane to get around but what we found, is that even if you do use these methods for guiding, there is still room for improvement with the Ramble Tag guidance aid.  A handy, low-tec bit of kit, for anyone who requires guidance from a sighted guide.

Linda loved the idea of using the Ramble Tag on a quiet peaceful walk, and not having to listen to her white cane rolling on the pavement.
We had never considered the noise of a rolling cane being an issue, but now understand that there are times when you just need peace and quiet.  Linda had reasons for liking both Tags.  The Metro Tag was good for the feeling of closeness to the guide and their subtle signals, but she liked the Original Tag for the level that the handle sat.  She decided the Metro Tag was her favourite.  Joe liked the small one on the wrist, but Linda did not, and she’s boss!!

SIDE NOTE (To Sighted Guides and OM officers.) 

We believe that the person being guided has to make the choice, if the VIP feels good using a Ramble Tag then we have to listen.   Of course the guides opinion matters too but ultimately they have to listen to the person they’re guiding.  Traditional guiding, guide dogs and white canes are great, we just want to add to the range of helpful tools.   If your motivation is to help VIP’s feel more empowered and independent, then giving each individual the choice to experience how one feels is another step towards achieving that.

Trying one is the only way to find out!

Tom’s Millbank Meander 08.22

I suppose a sighted person who reads a book gets an image of the story in his or her head. Equally well, someone who is visually impaired and listens to an audio book also shares that experience.  The same applies to art.  Having someone who is knowledgeable and can relay the theme of the art in a manner that is descriptive and informative enables the image to be visualised as that of a sighted person.   

My first experience of this was an audio description of J.M.W. Turner’s ‘Rain, Steam and Speed’. I had never seen this painting before or after my sight loss, however, the audio description of the painting was so good that the image has remained with me ever since. The train speeding over the country-side towards the viewer, its sharpness softened by billowing steam and Turner’s vivid expression of the rain will stay with me forever. Not forgetting the hare in the field, which I imagine, is racing the locomotive.

Sculpture is a different ball-game, especially when it is in front of you.  On a recent visit to Tate Britain London, before me stood Perseus – complete with Hermes’s winged sandals, Zeus’s sword and the Head of Medusa in his outstretched arm. Below him lies Andromeda, chained to the rocks shielding her eyes from Medusa’s gaze. Above her lies the terrifying sea monster writhing with out-stretched wings. This sculpture depicts a scene from Greek mythology.  It was described to me by Marcus Dickie-Horley on a hot summer day, while on the Millbank Meander AD and touch tour, 18th July, 2022. Marcus guided me using the Ramble Tag which enhanced the whole experience in many ways.  The Ramble Tag was not only practical but it allowed me flexibility to touch and feel the exhibit whilst not being restricted by Marcus.  This freedom enabled me to touch, measure and realise the enormity of the sculpture. Each piece of the work was individually cast in bronze of approximately one inch thick then pieced together by the artist. The Rescue of Andromeda by Henry Charles Fehr (presented to the Tate, 1894). 

If you are visually impaired and happen to end up in London, I would highly recommend an AD and touch tour at the Tate.  You will not get many other opportunities to caress Andromeda’s back!

Lack of sight does not have to stop a visually impaired person learning about and appreciating art in its many formats.  Accessibility and inclusion are there to enable people like myself to continue to  enjoy art. The fact that I have never seen Turner’s painting yet still have the image in my head gives me great pleasure.  I now feel confident to speak to anyone about Turner’s painting or Fehr’s sculpture.  Laura has just said to me that my description of Turner’s ‘Rain, Steam and Speed’ and Fehr’s sculpture was more exciting than the art itself! Hopefully this will motivate some of you to visit your local museums and galleries.  Go now, regardless of your thoughts about art.  Try it – you might find it impacts you more than you expect.   

By Tom Forsyth CEO Ramble Tag Ltd

Laura’s How To – Part 1. – 07.22

If you’ve ever wondered how to get something from idea to market, (in our case in just 6 months) we’re here to share all the juicy details with tips and pointers.

Neither myself or Tom had ever done anything like this before,  all we had was belief in our idea and the overwhelming urge to make it happen.  

Lightbulb moments can ping at any time, don’t let a good one drift into the cosmos!  For us, the idea came about while we were walking our dogs.  Traditional guidance methods were cumbersome and not practical for us with our daft furry pals pulling us around.  After Tom lost his grip on my elbow, we joked around, being silly and exaggerating the situation.  This lead to the climatic suggestion of a handle being stuck to my arm.  We elaborated on how this could be possible, and that was the ball was rolling.

We hope to give some guidance and inspiration, so you can be prepared to nurture any idea with confidence.  It wasn’t easy, and we had many bumps on the road, but the key is perseverance.  

LESSON 1 – PREPARE TO PERSEVERE

Luckily our idea was pretty low-tech.  We knew it would be made from fabrics, and I had a sewing machine plus lots of bits n bobs around the house.  Before jumping ahead of ourselves, we did multiple Google searches for our idea using phrases like, a “harness guidance aid”, a “handle for an arm” etc.  We found nothing, and even tried alternative languages, finding it very hard to believe it didn’t already exist.

Waiting a day was too long!  On the night we came up with the idea I made a rough prototype from a knee pad and a bag, chopping perfectly good items up, but it was worth it to make this exciting thing.  We had to test the concept asap.

The next morning I knocked on Tom’s door wearing it, and we went for a walk with our dogs. The feeling of independence became immediately apparent to Tom. The simple act of holding a handle attached to my arm, allowed him to walk more freely and naturally.  For me as his guide, it felt amazing.  My fear of him losing contact was gone, it felt safe and we were walking more freely and securely.

Luckily my partner Ross is a photographer, and we knew this was a day we’d want to remember.  He captured this magic moment when we were undoubtedly committed to perfecting our idea and helping others.

STEP 1 – TEST CONCEPT

It’s great to look back on it all and share our journey, we hope you enjoyed the first nugget.

By Laura Maclean CEO Ramble Tag Ltd