SUNDAY EDITION WITH ANTHONY CORONA
ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY. THERE IS NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH.
Featuring Dr. Gene Bourquin and Michael Byington
November 1, 2026
What does independent travel really mean for someone who is blind or
has low vision? And how do the techniques taught in orientation and
mobility training hold up against the unpredictable realities of
everyday travel?
Following a tragic incident in Ruston, Louisiana, where a blind
traveler was struck by a train, Sunday Edition listeners raised
important questions about pedestrian safety, mobility instruction, and
the different approaches used to teach independent travel.
While the circumstances of that incident remain insufficiently
documented for meaningful conclusions, the broader questions inspired
this conversation.
Anthony Corona welcomes Dr. Gene Bourquin and Michael Byington for an
exploration of orientation and mobility, structured discovery,
accessible pedestrian signals, and the importance of individualized
instruction.
Gene Bourquin brings decades of international teaching, research, and
advocacy experience involving blind and Deafblind travelers. His
published work examines pedestrian safety, driver behavior, street
crossings, accessible pedestrian signals, and mobility training.
Michael Byington is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
and President of the Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually
Impaired. He brings extensive hands on teaching experience and a
practical perspective on helping individuals develop independent
travel skills.
Together, they explore how travelers learn to evaluate unfamiliar
environments, interpret traffic patterns, navigate complex
intersections, and make informed decisions.
The discussion also examines the advantages and limitations of
different instructional philosophies, including structured discovery,
and the challenges presented by inconsistent pedestrian
infrastructure.
Anthony contributes his own experiences as a blind traveler and guide
dog handler, bringing the conversation from research and instructional
theory to the realities of everyday travel.
At the heart of this episode is a simple but important principle.
There is no one size fits all approach to orientation and mobility.
Every traveler brings different abilities, experiences, environments,
learning styles, and goals. Effective instruction must recognize those
differences while developing the skills, confidence, and judgment
needed for independent travel.
This conversation is for blind and low vision travelers, guide dog
handlers, orientation and mobility professionals, advocates, families,
and anyone interested in safer, more accessible communities.
RESOURCES FROM DR. GENE BOURQUIN
Gene has generously shared resources for listeners interested in
learning more about pedestrian safety, accessible pedestrian signals,
and orientation and mobility instruction.
BOURQUIN CONSULTING
Explore Gene’s professional work, research, and discussions about
orientation and mobility.
https://www.facebook.com/BourquinConsulting/
BOURQUIN CONSULTING FACEBOOK GROUP
Connect with conversations and resources relating to orientation and
mobility, accessibility, and pedestrian safety.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BourquinConsulting/
FREE SELF STUDY COURSE. CROSSING AT MODERN TRAFFIC SIGNALS
Developed by Dona Sauerburger, Gene Bourquin, and Bonnie Dodson-Burk,
this free educational resource examines modern traffic signals and the
challenges they present for blind and low vision pedestrians.
Designed particularly for orientation and mobility specialists, guide
dog mobility instructors, and travel instructors, the course includes
instructional material and videos.
https://www.sauerburger.org/signal.html
DONA SAUERBURGER ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY RESOURCES
An extensive collection of educational materials, research, videos,
and practical information on pedestrian safety, street crossings,
mobility instruction, and accessible intersections.
Gene has collaborated on several of the research and educational
resources featured here.
https://www.sauerburger.org/find.html
DRIVERS YIELDING BEHAVIOR
An article by Dr. Eugene Bourquin published by the American Council of
the Blind, examining the factors that influence whether motorists
yield to pedestrians who are blind or have low vision.
https://www.acb.org/drivers-yielding-behavior
RESEARCH. YIELDING BEHAVIORS OF RIGHT TURN ON RED DRIVERS TO A WHITE CANE USER
A 2024 peer reviewed research paper coauthored by Gene examining
driver yielding behavior in right turn on red situations involving a
pedestrian using a white cane.
https://doi.org/10.2478/vri-2024-0008
RESEARCH. LEARNING TO SCAN FOR APPROACHING VEHICLES EFFICIENTLY WITH A
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
A research article by Dona Sauerburger and Eugene Bourquin exploring
techniques for teaching people with low vision to scan for approaching
traffic.
https://doi.org/10.21307/vri-2020-004
ABOUT SUNDAY EDITION
Sunday Edition with Anthony Corona brings together meaningful
conversations, compelling personal stories, advocacy, entertainment,
accessibility, and the voices shaping our communities.
Sunday Edition is part of the Anthony Corona Media family of podcasts
and digital media content services, in partnership with Take 2 Radio,
The Remix.
Find Sunday Edition with Anthony Corona wherever you listen to your
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For more information about Sunday Edition, our growing family of
programs, and upcoming conversations, visit www.anthonycorona.com.
Email sundayedition@anthonycorona.com.
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