If you know that there is a bakery on the corner, the smell of freshly fried doughnuts will tell you that you're getting close to it. The aroma of a shoe store, the sound of a particular revolving door or escalator, the noise of a school bell, a particular piece of rough pavement these can all be indicators which help to pinpoint your location. These are only a few suggestions. There are many other ways to gain the information you need. You can ask a passerby to read a sign or tell you what businesses are nearby.
Blind travelers are also frequent users of public transportation trains, buses, and subways.
Most transportation systems have a telephone number to call for information about routes of travel and times of departure. If you are using public transportation, you may need to be told where to catch the bus or subway. For a newly-blinded traveler, major transportation hubs may seem confusing at first. The National Federation of the Blind has chapters in almost every city of any size. We may be able to help you locate a blind traveler who can give you tips about public transit.