Section 384 of 440
Complete canonical tutorial. This reader section contains the same teaching body as PWR-202 · Sensory substitution. Open the Power dossier.
PWR-202 · SUPERVISED full tutorial
Learn a complete row-and-column sensory code on a nine-cell tabletop board
This specialist-led lesson teaches an exact tabletop code. One, two or three short vibrations mean top, middle or bottom row. After a one-second pause, one, two or three long vibrations mean left, centre or right column. The learner first practises the two components, sees one complete centre code, then decodes all eight other combined locations, traces a three-cell token path, refuses an incomplete signal and compares the coded channel with direct description. No standing or travel occurs.
1 · Permission and limits
Know exactly what you may do
2 · Get ready
Gather what you need and check the starting conditions
What you need
- A non-slip raised 3-by-3 board labelled top/middle/bottom and left/centre/right.
- An approved vibration band controlled by the assistive-technology professional, plus an independent spoken, signed or switch-accessible STOP signal.
- The exact component map: 1 short vibration = top row; 2 short = middle row; 3 short = bottom row. After a one-second pause: 1 long vibration = left column; 2 long = centre column; 3 long = right column.
- Two raised component strips, one for the three rows and one for the three columns, so components can be taught without revealing a complete board location.
- Two foam tokens, a screen and a log with columns for actual cell, reported row, reported column, reversal, missing half-code, correct cell, seconds, workload 0–4, skin response and fallback.
- Trainer-only eight-code strip, kept behind the screen: top-right, bottom-left, middle-right, top-left, bottom-centre, top-centre, bottom-right, middle-left.
- Path A for vibration: top-left → middle-left → bottom-centre.
- Path B for direct description: top-right → middle-right → bottom-centre.
- Delayed Path C: bottom-left → middle-left → top-centre.
- Delayed Path D: bottom-right → middle-right → top-centre.
Before you start
- Remain seated at the non-slip table; this lesson contains no standing, obstacle or travel task.
- The specialist checks skin, contact site, device battery, comfortable distinguishable pulse lengths and the independent STOP signal.
- Place two boxes labelled ROW and COLUMN on the learner’s response sheet.
- Keep direct description available as the fallback throughout.
- End contact immediately for redness, pain, numbness, unusual sensation or increasing discomfort.
3 · The method
Follow these steps in order
- Learn the row component
Using only the raised row strip, the specialist sends one, two and three short vibrations in labelled order. The learner touches or names top, middle and bottom after each signal.
Why: Rows must be recognised before a two-part location can be decoded.
Check: Top, middle and bottom are each identified correctly on three labelled demonstrations.
- Learn the column component
Using only the raised column strip, the specialist sends one, two and three long vibrations in labelled order. The learner identifies left, centre and right.
Why: Separating pulse length and position reduces row-column confusion.
Check: Left, centre and right are each identified correctly on three labelled demonstrations.
- See one complete centre code
The specialist demonstrates middle-centre once: two short vibrations, a one-second pause, then two long vibrations. The learner writes ROW = middle and COLUMN = centre before naming the cell.
Why: One complete example teaches how the two components join while leaving the other eight combined codes unshown.
Check: The learner explains that the first group always gives row and the second always gives column.
- Decode eight unlabelled combined codes
Behind the screen, the specialist uses the exact trainer-only order: top-right, bottom-left, middle-right, top-left, bottom-centre, top-centre, bottom-right, middle-left. After every signal the learner fills ROW and COLUMN, commits a marker, then sees the token.
Why: All eight non-centre combinations test whether familiar components can be joined without answer leakage.
Check: Eight rows exist in the log, including every row error, column error, reversal, time and workload.
- Trace Path A with vibration
Signal top-left, middle-left and bottom-centre in that order. The learner decodes each cell before sliding a second token to it. Correct an error before the next segment.
Why: A sequence tests use of the code rather than isolated recognition alone.
Check: The endpoint, component errors, corrections, seconds and workload are recorded.
- Stage one incomplete code
Send a row group but deliberately omit the column group. The learner must write MISSING and request repetition or direct description.
Why: A safe channel must expose dropouts instead of turning them into guesses.
Check: No cell is named and the fallback is used.
- Complete Path B by direct description
Through the learner’s normal accessible channel, say or indicate top-right, middle-right and bottom-centre. The learner traces the path while the trainer records endpoint, seconds and workload.
Why: The familiar fallback supplies a practical comparator without pretending to be another mobility test.
Check: Both path records contain the same outcome fields.
- Compare without overclaiming
Compare component errors, endpoint, time, workload, skin response, fallback use and the learner’s provisional preference. Do not call one channel superior from this single order.
Why: One short session contains learning and order effects.
Check: The record states which channel the learner chooses now and that the delayed session reverses channel order.
4 · Worked example
See the whole method used once
Scenario
Sam remains seated at the board while an assistive-technology specialist controls an approved forearm band.
Walkthrough
- Sam learns the three short row signals on the row strip and the three long column signals on the column strip.
- The specialist demonstrates only middle-centre as a complete code.
- On the trainer-only eight-code strip, Sam records six correct cells, one row-column reversal and one wrong column.
- Sam traces vibration Path A, corrects the reversal before the second segment and reaches bottom-centre.
- When the specialist omits the column group, Sam writes MISSING and requests direct description instead of guessing.
- Sam completes direct-description Path B nine seconds faster with lower workload and chooses direct description for current use while agreeing to one delayed coded retest.
Result
Sam has produced an honest tabletop decoding record and used a safe fallback. The result is not mobility training, restored vision or evidence that the device should replace ordinary support.
5 · Right and wrong
Compare correct or safer execution with the common wrong version
| Moment | Right / safer | Wrong / riskier | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code order | Write the short-vibration row first, wait through the pause, then write the long-vibration column. | Add every vibration into one total. | The same total can represent several different cells. |
| Test answer | Commit ROW and COLUMN before the token is revealed. | Use the trainer’s hand, voice or visible strip to infer the answer. | Answer leakage can imitate learning. |
| Incomplete signal | Write MISSING and request repetition or direct description. | Guess the absent column. | Guessing hides device or transmission failure. |
| Channel comparison | Compare endpoint, component errors, time, workload, skin and preference. | Declare vibration better because one isolated cell was correct. | A useful channel must support the complete tabletop task at acceptable burden. |
| Scope | Describe the result as seated nine-cell code learning. | Call it independent navigation or restored vision. | No standing, obstacle detection or travel was tested. |
6 · Common mistakes
Spot the error and apply the correction
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| The learner combines all vibrations into one number. | Fill separate ROW and COLUMN boxes before naming a cell. |
| The trainer reveals complete corner codes during component teaching. | Teach rows and columns on separate strips and demonstrate only middle-centre as a full code. |
| The eight test cells are described as unseen even though complete codes were previously shown. | Show only the centre combination; keep all eight non-centre combined codes unlabelled until testing. |
| A missing half-code receives a guessed answer. | Give MISSING its own logged outcome and use the fallback. |
| One path order is treated as proof of channel superiority. | Call the choice provisional and reverse channel order at the delayed session. |
7 · Practice
Turn the steps into a usable skill
First session
- Confirm the seated-only boundary, contact check and independent stop signal.
- Teach all three row components on the row strip.
- Teach all three column components on the column strip.
- Demonstrate one complete centre code.
- Run the exact eight unlabelled combined codes behind the screen.
- Trace Path A with vibration and record every component and correction.
- Stage the missing-column signal and require MISSING or fallback.
- Trace Path B by direct description.
- Compare the two path records, inspect skin and record a provisional channel choice.
Repeat plan
After at least seven days, keep the same specialist-approved contact site, pulse map, table and log. Before reviewing the map, sample four shuffled non-centre combined codes. Then reverse channel order: complete delayed Path C by direct description first and delayed Path D by vibration second. Record delayed accuracy, endpoint, time, workload, skin and preference separately from the first session.
Progress when
- Row and column are written separately before every cell name.
- All eight immediate combined-code trials and four delayed trials have complete logs.
- An incomplete code is never guessed.
- Both immediate paths and both delayed paths have endpoint, time and workload records.
- Skin remains unchanged and the learner freely chooses the coded channel, direct description or no further trial.
Do not progress when
- Redness, pain, numbness, unusual sensation, increasing discomfort or a device warning appears.
- Repeated row-column reversals continue or workload exceeds the agreed ceiling.
- The learner or provider proposes standing, obstacle travel or removal of an established aid.
8 · Check the result
Measure what changed
Tabletop code accuracy, component error type, path endpoint, completion time, workload, skin response, fallback use and chosen channel.
How: Score the eight immediate combined-code trials, vibration Path A, the staged dropout and direct-description Path B. After at least seven days, score four shuffled codes plus Paths C and D in reversed channel order. Keep immediate and delayed records separate.
Good result: Every signal has separate row and column entries, incomplete codes are never guessed, all path endpoints and corrections are logged, skin remains unchanged and the learner can make an informed provisional channel choice.
This does not prove: It does not prove independent navigation, obstacle avoidance, restored vision, safe travel or superiority over an established assistive route.
Self-check
- Which vibration group always means row and which always means column?
- Why are middle-centre and the eight non-centre combinations different teaching stages?
- What must I write when half the code is absent?
- Which fields allow a fair tabletop comparison between channels?
- Why must the delayed session reverse channel order?
9 · Stop, adapt or get help
Keep the safety boundary practical
Stop and get help
- End contact immediately for redness, pain, numbness, unusual sensation or increasing discomfort.
- Pause after repeated missing signals, row-column reversals, device warning or workload above the agreed ceiling.
- This lesson never authorises standing, obstacle travel, street use or replacement of a mobility aid.
Accessibility and adaptations
- Lengthen the one-second pause or pulse spacing while preserving row-first and column-second order.
- Allow responses by speech, pointing, switch, eye gaze, braille labels or raised ROW and COLUMN boxes.
- If vibration remains unreliable, retain direct description or use another professionally approved channel.
10 · Evidence and limits
Why these instructions are here
- primary research
Sensory-substitution research supports testing specific configured tasks, but it does not validate this exact vibration map or a claim of restored vision.
Navigation aid for blind persons by visual-to-auditory sensory substitution: a pilot study - primary research
Assistive-device performance can vary by obstacle and configuration; this supports retaining ordinary aids and keeping the present lesson at a tabletop.
Blindness and the Reliability of Downwards Sensors to Avoid Obstacles: A Study with the EyeCane - official guidance
WHO and UNICEF place user goals, access, fitting, support and alternatives at the centre of assistive-technology provision.
Global report on assistive technology
Limits
- The result applies only to the declared seated nine-cell board, device map and support.
- A successful tabletop result does not establish restored vision, obstacle detection or safe travel.
- Configuration changes require a new specialist check and a new baseline.
- The learner’s choice to retain direct description or stop using the added channel is a valid outcome.
Open the complete canonical research register
- Primary empirical supportLimiting / contraryNavigation aid for blind persons by visual-to-auditory sensory substitution: a pilot study
A. Neugebauer; K. Rifai; M. Getzlaff; S. Wahl · 2020 · Primary research
- Primary empirical supportLimiting / contraryBlindness and the Reliability of Downwards Sensors to Avoid Obstacles: A Study with the EyeCane
M. Bleau; S. Paré; I. Djerourou; D. R. Chebat; R. Kupers; M. Ptito · 2021 · Primary research
- Primary empirical supportLimiting / contraryThe Unfolding Space Glove: A Wearable Spatio-Visual to Haptic Sensory Substitution Device for Blind People
Jakob Kilian; Alexander Neugebauer; Lasse Scherffig; Siegfried Wahl · 2022 · Primary research
- Limiting / contraryOfficial boundary contextGlobal report on assistive technology
World Health Organization; United Nations Children's Fund · 2022 · Official report
Read the complete evidence interpretation on the Power dossier.
Tutorial delivery controls
Learn, adapt, troubleshoot and resume
Progress is saved only in this browser on this device.
Step-by-step learner mode
Each activity includes its success check, a nearby accessible alternative and an “I’m stuck” correction path. Alternatives preserve the target where possible; when they change the task, Titan labels them as related rather than equivalent.
Learn the row component
Using only the raised row strip, the specialist sends one, two and three short vibrations in labelled order. The learner touches or names top, middle and bottom after each signal.
Rows must be recognised before a two-part location can be decoded.
Top, middle and bottom are each identified correctly on three labelled demonstrations.
I’m stuck on this step
Reset: Re-read this authored instruction — “Using only the raised row strip, the specialist sends one, two and three short vibrations in labelled order. The learner touches or names top, middle and bottom after each signal.” — and its success check, then attempt only this step.
Possible snag: The result from “Using only the raised row strip, the specialist sends one, two and three short vibrations in labelled order. The learner touches or names top, middle and bottom after each signal.” does not yet meet this declared check: Top, middle and bottom are each identified correctly on three labelled demonstrations.
Correction: Return to the start of “Learn the row component”, reduce complexity or pace, and repeat only the part needed to satisfy: “Top, middle and bottom are each identified correctly on three labelled demonstrations.”
Stop / get help: End contact immediately for redness, pain, numbness, unusual sensation or increasing discomfort.
Learn the column component
Using only the raised column strip, the specialist sends one, two and three long vibrations in labelled order. The learner identifies left, centre and right.
Separating pulse length and position reduces row-column confusion.
Left, centre and right are each identified correctly on three labelled demonstrations.
I’m stuck on this step
Reset: Re-read this authored instruction — “Using only the raised column strip, the specialist sends one, two and three long vibrations in labelled order. The learner identifies left, centre and right.” — and its success check, then attempt only this step.
Possible snag: The result from “Using only the raised column strip, the specialist sends one, two and three long vibrations in labelled order. The learner identifies left, centre and right.” does not yet meet this declared check: Left, centre and right are each identified correctly on three labelled demonstrations.
Correction: Return to the start of “Learn the column component”, reduce complexity or pace, and repeat only the part needed to satisfy: “Left, centre and right are each identified correctly on three labelled demonstrations.”
Stop / get help: End contact immediately for redness, pain, numbness, unusual sensation or increasing discomfort.
See one complete centre code
The specialist demonstrates middle-centre once: two short vibrations, a one-second pause, then two long vibrations. The learner writes ROW = middle and COLUMN = centre before naming the cell.
One complete example teaches how the two components join while leaving the other eight combined codes unshown.
The learner explains that the first group always gives row and the second always gives column.
I’m stuck on this step
Reset: Re-read this authored instruction — “The specialist demonstrates middle-centre once: two short vibrations, a one-second pause, then two long vibrations. The learner writes ROW = middle and COLUMN = centre before naming the cell.” — and its success check, then attempt only this step.
Possible snag: The learner combines all vibrations into one number.
Correction: Fill separate ROW and COLUMN boxes before naming a cell.
Stop / get help: End contact immediately for redness, pain, numbness, unusual sensation or increasing discomfort.
Decode eight unlabelled combined codes
Behind the screen, the specialist uses the exact trainer-only order: top-right, bottom-left, middle-right, top-left, bottom-centre, top-centre, bottom-right, middle-left. After every signal the learner fills ROW and COLUMN, commits a marker, then sees the token.
All eight non-centre combinations test whether familiar components can be joined without answer leakage.
Eight rows exist in the log, including every row error, column error, reversal, time and workload.
I’m stuck on this step
Reset: Re-read this authored instruction — “Behind the screen, the specialist uses the exact trainer-only order: top-right, bottom-left, middle-right, top-left, bottom-centre, top-centre, bottom-right, middle-left. After every signal the learner fills ROW and COLUMN, commits a marker, then sees the token.” — and its success check, then attempt only this step.
Possible snag: The trainer reveals complete corner codes during component teaching.
Correction: Teach rows and columns on separate strips and demonstrate only middle-centre as a full code.
Possible snag: The eight test cells are described as unseen even though complete codes were previously shown.
Correction: Show only the centre combination; keep all eight non-centre combined codes unlabelled until testing.
Stop / get help: End contact immediately for redness, pain, numbness, unusual sensation or increasing discomfort.
Trace Path A with vibration
Signal top-left, middle-left and bottom-centre in that order. The learner decodes each cell before sliding a second token to it. Correct an error before the next segment.
A sequence tests use of the code rather than isolated recognition alone.
The endpoint, component errors, corrections, seconds and workload are recorded.
I’m stuck on this step
Reset: Re-read this authored instruction — “Signal top-left, middle-left and bottom-centre in that order. The learner decodes each cell before sliding a second token to it. Correct an error before the next segment.” — and its success check, then attempt only this step.
Possible snag: The result from “Signal top-left, middle-left and bottom-centre in that order. The learner decodes each cell before sliding a second token to it. Correct an error before the next segment.” does not yet meet this declared check: The endpoint, component errors, corrections, seconds and workload are recorded.
Correction: Return to the start of “Trace Path A with vibration”, reduce complexity or pace, and repeat only the part needed to satisfy: “The endpoint, component errors, corrections, seconds and workload are recorded.”
Stop / get help: End contact immediately for redness, pain, numbness, unusual sensation or increasing discomfort.
Stage one incomplete code
Send a row group but deliberately omit the column group. The learner must write MISSING and request repetition or direct description.
A safe channel must expose dropouts instead of turning them into guesses.
No cell is named and the fallback is used.
I’m stuck on this step
Reset: Re-read this authored instruction — “Send a row group but deliberately omit the column group. The learner must write MISSING and request repetition or direct description.” — and its success check, then attempt only this step.
Possible snag: A missing half-code receives a guessed answer.
Correction: Give MISSING its own logged outcome and use the fallback.
Stop / get help: End contact immediately for redness, pain, numbness, unusual sensation or increasing discomfort.
Complete Path B by direct description
Through the learner’s normal accessible channel, say or indicate top-right, middle-right and bottom-centre. The learner traces the path while the trainer records endpoint, seconds and workload.
The familiar fallback supplies a practical comparator without pretending to be another mobility test.
Both path records contain the same outcome fields.
I’m stuck on this step
Reset: Re-read this authored instruction — “Through the learner’s normal accessible channel, say or indicate top-right, middle-right and bottom-centre. The learner traces the path while the trainer records endpoint, seconds and workload.” — and its success check, then attempt only this step.
Possible snag: The result from “Through the learner’s normal accessible channel, say or indicate top-right, middle-right and bottom-centre. The learner traces the path while the trainer records endpoint, seconds and workload.” does not yet meet this declared check: Both path records contain the same outcome fields.
Correction: Return to the start of “Complete Path B by direct description”, reduce complexity or pace, and repeat only the part needed to satisfy: “Both path records contain the same outcome fields.”
Stop / get help: End contact immediately for redness, pain, numbness, unusual sensation or increasing discomfort.
Compare without overclaiming
Compare component errors, endpoint, time, workload, skin response, fallback use and the learner’s provisional preference. Do not call one channel superior from this single order.
One short session contains learning and order effects.
The record states which channel the learner chooses now and that the delayed session reverses channel order.
I’m stuck on this step
Reset: Re-read this authored instruction — “Compare component errors, endpoint, time, workload, skin response, fallback use and the learner’s provisional preference. Do not call one channel superior from this single order.” — and its success check, then attempt only this step.
Possible snag: One path order is treated as proof of channel superiority.
Correction: Call the choice provisional and reverse channel order at the delayed session.
Stop / get help: End contact immediately for redness, pain, numbness, unusual sensation or increasing discomfort.
Correct versus incorrect execution
These accessible process diagrams are built from the tutorial’s own right/wrong teaching. They are not anatomical illustrations and do not add technique beyond the canonical tutorial.
Write the short-vibration row first, wait through the pause, then write the long-vibration column.
Add every vibration into one total.
Commit ROW and COLUMN before the token is revealed.
Use the trainer’s hand, voice or visible strip to infer the answer.
Write MISSING and request repetition or direct description.
Guess the absent column.
Compare endpoint, component errors, time, workload, skin and preference.
Declare vibration better because one isolated cell was correct.
Describe the result as seated nine-cell code learning.
Call it independent navigation or restored vision.
Method-structure checklist
10 of 10 structural checks present
- Ordered, Power-specific instructions — present
- Every activity has a success check — present
- Materials or supplied records are declared — present
- Measurement or assessment rule is present — present
- Tutorial-specific troubleshooting is present — present
- Stopping or escalation boundary is present — present
- Every activity has an adjacent alternative — present
- Correct-versus-incorrect comparison is present — present
- Evidence context is bound to the Power record — present
- Planning metadata is present — present
The method-readiness band and presence checklist assess tutorial presentation and are separate from evidence quality for the underlying Power. They are automated editorial aids, not human approval.
Manual editorial sign-off: Pending. This tutorial must not display a human-approved state until an identified editor signs the exact content hash.