Engineering Students at Cal Poly have accepted a novel challenge from Pacific West Music of the Blind to design and develop a wearable marching device. We are in early stages to procure, design, integrate and test concepts, moving through preliminary design review to eventually, critical design review. The ultimate goal is to support this unique drumline so they can perform in a parade and have the appearance like any other conventional sighted marching band or drumline!

Cal Poly, EMPOWER Team

This initial phase integrates new technologies into a never-been-done-before device for visually impaired and blind people to participate like any other marching unit in a parade. This current design and testing is where the heavy lifting is going to be done to ensure among other things safety for the marchers in this drumline.

Testing phase is very important to ensure spacing for columns and row marching straight as well as commencing turns in the parade route.

Conceptual Haptics Device

Are YOU ready to see visually impaired and blind people in a drumline marching in a parade?

Think about a time when you were told that you couldn’t do something, yet, you knew you could if you were just given the chance. Do you remember those feelings? Sad. Depressed. Frustrated. Disturbed. Unloved. This project is attempting to undo and change this for a part of our community that has plenty of musical talent!

This is not a short term project. We need this small funding to move forward and achieve a planned target of a parade entry by the summer of 2026. A crucial success step is this GoFundMe cause. Current social support is coming from several areas; Lions Clubs, a couple of county chapters for Councils of the Blind, the Washington State School for the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind. Would you please join us?

Think about how much fun for these individuals who thought they would NEVER participate in something like a parade and are now doing it! The smiles I have seen while presenting and sharing this vision are priceless!

What will you say and experience when you see this Pacific West Music of the Blind Drumline marching in a parade in which you helped make come to reality? We think it is possible! Do you want to be a part of this NEW adventure?

Please come march with us, I think you will really enjoy this!

Here is a short 2 minute video https://youtu.be/tUewUWbyMJw

Thank You!

Brent Boon, Conductor (exec. dir.)

Pacific West Music of the Blind

pwmotb.com

PS: With your permission and if this GoFundMe exceeds this target, we would like to apply excess funds for the production phase that will include technical support equipment as well as the purchasing and manufacturing of these marching haptics devices.