Student demonstrates Blind Aid Spectacles, London

May 05, 1970 - Sound Pictures For The Blind. 21-Year Old Student Demonstrates Blind-Aid Spectacles: A unique aid for the blind - a pair of spectacles that can give blind people a sound picture of their environment - was demonstrated in London today. Backed by the National Research Development Corporation and developed by Professor Leslie Kay, the spectacles were demonstrated by 21 year-old blind student, Ivan Pivac, who is the first man in Britain to wear these spectacles regularly. Today, Mr. Pivac, who is studying physiotherapy at the Royal National Institute for the Blind and wears the glasses for all types of day to day activities, said: It's rather like sonar on a ship. You pick up reflected sound from obstacles in your path. The spectacles make you more confident of what's in front and you don't have to concentrate so hard on where you are going. I find them very helpful. The glasses have been developed by a team of engineers and orientation-and-moblity specialists at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand under the leadership of Professor Kay, who started research in 1959, when he was at Birmingham University. Photo shows Professor Leslie Kay (L), holds the power pack part of the spectacles - whilst (R) is 21-year old blind student Ivan Pivac, wearing the spectacles at today's demonstration in London

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