[Jo] Columbus State student, Patrick Simmons is using his smartphone to link into a system installed at the university that helps him maneuver through what he calls a concrete jungle.
[Patrick] It's like walking through an ocean of concrete and because of so much concrete out here is very difficult for someone like me to establish landmarks.
[Jo] That's where Blind Square comes in. Columbus State has installed devices through the campus that connect with Patrick's phone, giving him specific coordinates that let him know exactly where he is at any moment.
[Patrick] Once they asked me to participate, it blew me away, I mean, finally my independence has been restored as far as being at school and I feel more a part of my college life now.
[Jo] The head of the state agency charged with improving the lives of disabled Ohioans says that independence cannot be overstated. That's why he says the department gave the college $10,000 to launch the new technology. He says this will ultimately help blind Ohioans get jobs so they can benefit tax payers and help businesses meet their needs.
- When they hire individuals with disabilities, what you find is the employer say, how can we hire more because they're on time, they show up, they're early, they bring a sense of pride for everybody else. I hear people say, wow, I really don't have an excuse, I come in, I'm in a bad mood and here's this young man who's working and he's smiling and he's happy to have a job and he's paying taxes and has some purchasing power.
[Jo] Patrick agrees this program is worth the money, especially when you consider it has allowed him more independence.
[Patrick] Sometimes I don't wanna ask nobody for help. I need to do it on my own.