No, this is not an April Fool’s joke, a trick, or even a figment of your imagination… it is truly the current, much awaited, Paws for GDUI News You Can Use! I realize it was October of 2021 when last your inbox was graced with such, so happy to be back!
While things trending on social media, stuff going viral, is all well and good for Influencers and the antics of nameless puppies and kittens, having my personal life do so is disconcerting to say the least. Never the less, following on the heels of the time-sucking and emotionally draining events of guide retirement, class, and moving came more fun of the not really fun variety. Difficulties with my new guide which I believed would end the partnership, were followed (literally a week after a successful follow-up with an instructor) by my Daddy and Step-Mom being hit by a car, while riding their Harley, and severely injured- doing a great job of impersonating Humpy Dumpty! Now, 7 weeks later, as all the king’s people (surgeons, physical, occupational and speech therapists) have worked their magic to put them back together, I am determined to get Paws out.
My list of apologies …. First, Madame President, I am sorry I have done this in one evening, while waiting for Paratransit to bring me home from the Rehab center where I have been visiting the parental units, hence not getting a president’s message from you. Next, to all of you, I have let you down, again, and I don’t like that at all. I take pride in GDUI, this publication and anything that has my name attached to it. My word is my honor, my promise reliable. I am not doing my best work by any stretch of my, or anyone else’s, imagination. For this I am truly sorry.
Well, having said that, here is your newest issue. Exciting news about the service animal eye exams. A few surveys looking for participants, some interesting learning opportunities, news from NBP, and fun snooze news about our dogs. Enjoy!
Sending cyber hugs and wags,
Andrea and Super T
Announcement: 2022 ACVO/Epicur National Service Animal Eye Exam Event
The 2022 Eye Exam Event is Happening on a Limited Basis!
We are pleased to announce that after working with our diplomate members and our sponsor, the 2022 ACVO/Epicur National Service Animal Eye Exam Event will be taking place in 2022 on a limited basis!
We are grateful to our members and sponsor (Epicur Pharma) for donating their time and resources. Please note that due to limitations/shortages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, not all clinics may be fully staffed and locations and/or appointments may be limited in your area. Due to these limitations, we ask for patience and kindness to the clinics’ staff, as we would love for this event to continue to be a positive experience for everyone involved.
Registrations will take place April 1st – 30th, with the event occurring throughout the month of May. More information about the event and qualification information can be found on the ACVOEyeExam.org website.
Announcement: Demo of BlindShell Accessible Phone available
A demonstration of the updated BlindShell accessible cell phone was presented by J. J. Meddaugh of A T Guys at the January 21, 2022 Roundabout sponsored by the Greater Louisville Council of the Blind.
Over 100 people attended the demo. Many people were unable to get in on the call because the Zoom room was full or for other reasons, and we have received many requests for a link to the recording.
Sound Prints is available as a podcast from the KCB website, through the iTunes store, or on the Victor Stream. Add kentucky-acb.org/soundprints.xml to your favorite podcast device, or subscribe by searching for soundprints under podcasts in the iTunes store or the Victor Stream database, and you won’t miss a single show.
Sound Prints is now available on KCB’s Audio Information Service from any landline or cell phone. Dial (773) 572 – 6318 and select number 2 from the menu.
Visit the Kentucky Council of the Blind website at
Announcement: From National Braille Press- Braille & Brew
We’re hosting Braille & Brews in 2022 to celebrate our 95th birthday! Join us over the course of the year at four different local Boston breweries. The first of our 2022 series will be at Mighty Squirrel in Waltham, MA on Sunday, April 10th. Come with a friend or two to spend a Sunday afternoon at Mighty Squirrel and enjoy the warmer weather!
(don’t worry if you are not local to Boston, you can still participate!)
Your ticket purchase will include a blindfolded flight tasting of Mighty Squirrel’s finest brews paired with some great pizza and bar snacks. This is a fantastic opportunity to socialize with friends while supporting NBP’s work and enjoying great company!
Not local? Tell us your favorite brew and make a donation using the link below to celebrate 95 years of NBP!
You will find below a link to free JAWS scripts for TeamViewer version 15. As of later releases of TeamViewer, it is difficult to find your User ID and password. Once located, pressing the Left and Right arrow keys do not allow you to read the item character by character. With these scripts installed, pressing function key F1 will place the user ID and password into the JAWS virtual viewer for easier reading. When focused on any field, you should also now be able to press the JAWS keystroke to virtualise the focused control, Shift+Insert+V. These scripts are offered freely to the blindness community and were developed for personal use. No support is available:
Mastercard Puts Visual Impairment In The Spotlight
The financial services company’s new campaign is a stylish film that shows how the brand’s new Touch Card makes transactions more accessible for blind and partially-sighted people:
Survey- Help Researchers To Understand The Audio Perception Behavior of People With Visual Impairments
April 25th 2022 deadline to submit. | Hello. We are researchers from Indiana University Bloomington conducting an online survey to understand the audio perception behavior of people with visual impairments. I am inviting you to take part in a 25-30 minutes online survey from a place of your convenience. To participate in the survey, you must identify as visually impaired, must have normal hearing, and should be a native or bilingual speaker of English. You need to have access to a computer or laptop with a screen-reader and Internet connection. You should use headphones and should complete the survey in a quiet environment. For your participation, you will be paid $5 by an Amazon e-gift card. You will receive the URL link of the e-gift card within 3-5 business days after your participation. If you are interested in participating in our survey or have any questions about the study, please fill out the sign-up form below. Once you provide the details, one researcher will contact you via email or phone and send you the web link to participate in the survey. Alternatively, you may email Taslima Akter at takter@iu.edu. Please click here to sign up:
iPhone Chat for Voiceover Users: Beyond the Basics
Andrew Heiskell, Braille And Talking Book Library
April 2nd 2022, 11:30AM PT, 12:30PM, 1:30PM CT, 2:30PM ET, 6:30PM GMT
First Saturdays (April 2, May 7, June 4) from 2:30 – 4:00 PM ET. Talk about customizing gestures and settings, exploring new apps, choosing accessories, dealing with bugs, and whatever else comes to mind. This is a space for any and all Voiceover topics that go beyond the basics of using common gestures and built-in apps. This event will take place online:
First Saturdays (April 2, May 7, June 4) 1:00 – 2:15 PM ET. If you’re new to using Voiceover on the iPhone or if you’re still working toward confidence, this discussion group is for you. We’ll spend some time going over the theory of how screen readers work, gestures everyone needs to know, and some strategies for getting help. Then, we’ll open it up for questions and networking. This event will take place online:
Dogs have many aww-inducing sleep positions that are just too cute not to share. Is it possible these very same sleeping styles might reveal something about our dogs’ moods or needs as well?
Science is sorely lacking in this adorable area of study, but we’ve given it a great deal of thought, and here’s what we think these poses could mean.
Put our theories to the test! Do these interpretations match your dog’s behavior?
The side slumber- Your dog is in deep sleep on their side with their feet out from under them. This is the most relaxed of all sleep positions. Your dog is feeling the Zen.
The sphinx- Just like a sphinx statue, your dog is crouched square on all fours but resting their head on their front legs. Your dog is full of energy and ready to jump into action at any moment.
The superman- It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s your dog taking a nap on their belly with their back legs stretched out behind them and their front legs sticking out ahead. Your little superhero is all tuckered out from a long day of play and is in need of a good stretch to boot.
The curl- Your dog is curled up into a tiny ball. Bonus: the tip of their tail is resting on their cute little nose! Your furry friend is feeling the cold and is keeping warm in this cozy pose.
The feet in the air- Wave your feet in the air like you just don’t care! Maybe that’s what your friend is thinking when they lie on their back with all their limbs sticking straight up. Or maybe they’re a bit on the warm side and letting off steam.
The cuddle- Easily the cutest of all, this sleeping option requires snuggling up with a favorite toy, another pet or—best of all—you! Your cuddle bug is feeling the need for love and connection.
If your dog had a dream journal, what do you think it would say? Although we can’t speak to our dogs to know for sure, scientists studying this fascinating question have deduced some interesting facts about our dog’s dreams.
During sleep, dogs have the same two stages of brain wave patterns as people: a slow, steady wave pattern of quiet, still sleep and a fast, irregular wave pattern of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, when the mind is more active and the eyes dart rapidly beneath the eyelids. Your dog may whine, breath rapidly and move their legs during REM sleep.
We dream, and since dogs have the same sleeping brain wave patterns as people, scientists have concluded that it is safe to assume that our furry companions do indeed dream, too!
What do we know about dog dreams?
During REM sleep, the brain functions much like it does when awake, so people—and it is believed dogs as well—dream about the events of their day. It is a chance for the brain to process all that happened while awake and sometimes even relive it through the dream. So, your dog may “sleep run” as they chase a squirrel or fetch the ball in their dreams.
Puppies, who have a lot of new information to process as they explore their new world every day, tend to dream more often than adult dogs.
Interestingly, a dog’s size also affects the number and length of dreams they have. Smaller dogs have more dreams than their bigger friends. A toy poodle may dream every 10 minutes, while a Labrador retriever may only dream once every 60-90 minutes. However, the poodle’s dream may last only a minute while the Labrador’s dreams may be 5-10 minutes long.
Additionally, dogs who are tuckered out from staying active may sleep more soundly and experience longer phases of REM sleep, giving them more time to dream.
Lastly, just like ourselves, dogs who are startled out of a dream may wake feeling defensive or alarmed. In fact, many of the dog bites thar occur in children happen because the child wakes a sleeping dog.
So always remember to let sleeping dogs lie . . . and dream.
Editor’s note:
announcements and articles, for GDUI- News You Can Use, are culled from a variety of sources; Hence inclusion herein does not imply GDUI endorses, supports or verifies their contents. Information, ideas, or expressed opinions are not advice, therefore should not be treated as such. Factual errors are the responsibility of the listed source.
Well, it has been a few months and lots has happened. It is all the happenings that have kept me swamped and away from this publication.
In early August I learned I had a class date, which meant that Mr. A would be retiring. While I wanted him to have his richly deserved retirement I struggled with the reality of his no longer being my partner. In some kind of cosmic twist, two weeks after the news of my early September class date my apartment flooded. This necessitated my relocation while my belongings were moved out, the flooring was removed and replaced, sanitizing occurred, and my stuff was moved back in (mind you nothing was actually put where it belonged). I guess the universe wanted to take my mind off of the whole retirement thing! *smile* A couple of weeks after the flood I left for San Rafael and training with my seventh guide. Upon returning from GDB I started packing up my stuff because an apartment in a non-flood zone building in my complex was available.
All of this is to say that I have been absent from pretty much everything. It has taken every emotional, and physical, resource I have to get through these three major life changes.
With Mr. A successfully ensconced in his retirement home, having graduated with my new guide, known here as Super T, and my apartment mostly unpacked I feel as if I am emerging from the fog and trying to catch the heap of dangling threads I last addressed in early August.
I am happy to have grabbed up this particular thread and hope you enjoy this issue.
Sending cyber hugs and wags, Andrea and Super T
From the President:
Greetings GDUI members and friends!
Welcome to fall and the fast-approaching holidays! With the cool days, a pleasant breeze, leaves twirling around it is a wonderful time to walk with our guide dogs while we listen to the changes of the season.
For the past few months, many GDUI committees have been quite busy! The membership committee, with the approval of the board, has lowered the annual dues to $15.00 from $25.00, affiliate dues to $10.00 from $15.00 and life time is $300.00 from $400.00! With rising costs of our day-to-day items, GDUI hopes the reduction of dues will help GDUI family and friends remain valued members and/or join this wonderful organization!
The advocacy committee is keeping up to date on the new rules and regulations from the Center of Disease Control (CDC), regarding returning to the United States after visiting a high-risk rabies country with your guide dog. These new rules went into effect July 14, 2021 and as of now will end on January 7, 2022. For more information please visit:
The GDUI fundraising committee can help you plan for the holidays with a fresh Holiday wreath and/or a fresh centerpiece! If you are looking for special sweets, GDUI has that covered as well! How about the chance to win $1,000.00! GDUI has a Thanksgiving drawing! For more information on how to participate and order holiday items, candy and a chance to win holiday money, please visit the GDUI website at:
GDUI is planning an after the holiday’s “Chatty Yappy” hour! We can gather by Zoom and tell each other about our holiday fun and surprises with our guide dog, family or friends! The Zoom information, date and time will be sent out soon!
Lakota has found retirement quite nice and is very comfortable living the work free zone lifestyle! Since sniffing anything and everything is no longer off limits, Lakota is catching up on all of the sniffing she passed up while working as a guide dog!
My successor guide dog will be from Gallant Hearts in Mississippi! The school will contact me when they find just the right dog. We all know it takes time, but it’s definitely worth it! I will keep you updated!
It has been fun learning about new guide dog teams from various schools! Please share your adventure’s and stories on the GDUI chat lists!
Enjoy the fall season and have a great Halloween!
Warm regards,
Sarah Calhoun & Lakota
Announcement: Totally cool shirt, only available until November three!
Hi GDUI Members and Friends,
I’m passing this along from another list — and another guide dog advocacy group. Although it’s a creative fund-raiser for the NAGDU chapter in New York State, and this is a GDUI list, I think it’s worth sharing the info with you. No matter our affiliation — or not — we’re all in the same proverbial boat, too often needing to remind the people we meet on route not to distract our working dogs! Enjoy!
Penny
Greetings. The New York Association of Guide Dog Users, is currently selling t-shirts with a meaningful message, wrapped up in a little bit of attitude and a little bit of fun. The t-shirts are a dark but vibrant blue, with bright yellow writing. The message “Sure, of course you can pet my guide dog… just as soon as I am done test driving your car.” Is presented in print, with the first portion in a smaller font, such that the eye of the reader does not catch the first line and immediately result in distracting of the working dog. Rather they catch sight of the second line, glance up to make sense of the phrase with the first line, and get the message loud and clear. The sentiment is repeated in contracted Braille below the print. These shirts are being sold in order to raise funds for NYAGDU to engage in advocacy and educational efforts, but the name and logo for NYAGDU, NAGDU, the NFB, etc., do not appear on the shirt. We are proud of our division and of the NFB, but these shirts are great, and the message is an important one, so we want to ensure that anyone who wants one of these shirts will feel free to purchase and proudly wear the shirt, regardless of their affiliation(s). Further, these shirts are not school or breed specific, intentionally so. While the delivery of this message is a little sarcastic and certainly fun to wear, it is a very real concern, as interference by the public with guide dog teams constitutes a very real problem, an annoyance for sure, and sometimes a legitimate danger. We view these t-shirts as a combination of a public service announcement, an educational effort, an advocacy tool, and, yes, a fund-raiser to help us to do our work on behalf of guide and service dog handlers across New York State and across the country, regardless of which school they attended,, whether or not they owner-trained, and no matter what blindness organizations they choose to, or not to, belong to.
The shirts are $22.00 a piece, which includes shipping, to anywhere in the contiguous United States. Shirts are available in youth and adult, as well as plus sizes. Youth and plus sizes cost a bit more for us to order, but we are not passing along this cost to you, and the $22 includes whatever size you would like, shipped to anywhere within Conus. We are taking pre-orders from today, up until Wednesday, the third of November. Please send PayPal to nyagdudivision@gmail.com in the amount of $22 times the number of shirts that you would like. Then please send an email to the same email address nyagdudivision@gmail.com with your name, the address where you would like your shirt(s) to be sent, the number of shirts you would like, and what size(s) you require. Please email any questions to heather.l.bird@gmail.com or you can call, or text, (585) 739-6473.
Please note, this is a pre-order process. We want to be kind to the environment, and efficient with our own time, space, and efforts, so want to avoid the all-too-familiar situation where several dozen shirts are ordered in a range of sizes, but demand results in a surplus of one or two sizes and a dearth of others. We will take pre-orders for the next two weeks, then place the order for exactly the quantity and sizes of shirts desired, and the printing company has given us a turn-around time of two to three weeks. If you are intending to purchase any shirts for holiday gifts, they should arrive in plenty of time, even with the pre-order process.
Heather Bird, President
New York Association of Guide Dog Users,
Announcement: More about that drawing President Sarah mentioned:
The GDUI Thanksgiving Drawing: Here’s what you need to know!
A donation of just $10.00 to purchase a drawing ticket could make you the winner of a cool $1,000.00 on November 29, the first Monday after Thanksgiving Day! (Think about what you might be able to do with those thousand dollars while browsing all of those tempting cyber-Monday deals!)
Even if yours isn’t the winning ticket drawn that evening, you’ll feel good about contributing to this Guide Dog Users, Inc. fund-raising event, which will help GDUI keep our comprehensive and helpful web site updated with information that’s crucially important to every guide dog handler.
Tickets are $10 apiece, and you can purchase as many as you wish. The more tickets you buy, the better your chances of winning those thousand dollars! Anyone can win, so please encourage your friends to participate, as well.
Click the Purchase Tickets button to pay via PayPal (You don’t even need to have a PayPal account!).
If you experience any problems online, call GDUI’s toll-free phoneline at
866.799.8436, and speak to our GDUI Office Manager, Lynn Merrill. She will be happy to help!
The cut-off date and time for purchasing tickets is Noon, ET, November 22. The winning ticket will be drawn at a special ZOOM event at 7:00 PM, ET, on Monday, November 29.
Announcement: the GDUI Holiday Wreath and Centerpiece Fund-Raising Project, also mentioned by our fabulous president-
This year, Guide Dog Users, Inc. is selling beautiful holiday wreaths and sweet-smelling holiday centerpieces to raise funds which will support our universally accessible elections during the coming year.
These Sherwood Farms Holiday Wreaths are created from an aromatic combination of Noble fir, berried Juniper and incense cedar. Touches of color are provided by red faux holly berries. Each wreath Includes a deluxe, pre-tied checkered tree bow. Price: $45
Our Sherwood Farms Centerpiece is created from
Cedar, noble fir, pine and berried juniper that’s arranged in an oasis block and bowl (approximately 12 inches in diameter) for your table. Faux white snow berries and red holly berries are included for you to customize your arrangement. Each centerpiece also includes a 10-inch tapered LED candle Price: $45
These items will be delivered fresh from the Pacific Northwest directly to your door and make wonderful gifts for friends and family. The last day to order is November 10, 2021. All items will be delivered during the first two weeks following Thanksgiving. Payment can be made through PayPal.
Visit this link to learn more and to place your orders!
If you have any problem accessing the website or ordering products you can contact Denise Weddle at 310-306-8149. She will be happy to help.
Announcement: Missouri Guide Dog Users will be hosting the Top Dog Conference in 2022
Please take a moment to look over the following included information that fully describes the upcoming Top Dog Conference to be held in St. Louis Missouri.
The conference will be held May 19th through the 22nd; of 2022. We hope you will consider joining us for the conference.
Missouri Guide Dog Users, (MGDU), Top Dog Conference update!
Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, we decided in the best interest and safety of our friends and guide dogs, to reschedule the event!
Top Dog will now be held in May of 2022. The new conference dates are: Thursday, May 19, 2022 with check out on Sunday morning, May 22, 2022. Please mark your calendars and save your pennies to enjoy this friendly get together!
Whether you have a guide dog, cane, blind or visually impaired, sighted, a puppy raiser, or just want to join in the fun, everyone is welcome to participate! MGDU will be sending out Top Dog 2022 updates. If you would like to be on our mailing list, please send an email to: Topdog2021.information@gmail.com
Stay well! See you in Saint Louis in 2022!
Missouri Guide Dog Users
Editor’s note- I have been at three of these conferences, they are fabulous!
Article: Lisa Irving and Her Dog Won in Arbitration Against Uber
By Sean Hollister
(From the Spring issue of the FORWARD, newsletter of the Golden State Guide Dog Handlers, Inc)
Uber was sued in 2014 for discriminating against blind people and their guide dogs, and agreed to change that as part of a $2.6 million settlement two years later. But apparently, that didn’t entirely happen.
Uber will now pay an additional $1.1 million to a blind woman who said she missed work, missed her birthday celebration, missed Christmas Eve church services, and was left out in the dark, in the rain, and other such humiliations because Uber drivers refused to carry her and her dog on 14 different occasions — a number of which happened after Uber finalized its 2016 settlement.
“Uber allowed drivers who discriminated against disabled riders to continue driving without discipline,” an arbitrator concluded this week (via The San Francisco Chronicle).
This line from the arbitrator’s report is also worth considering: “When Uber did conduct an investigation, its investigators were trained, in some instances, to coach drivers to find non-discriminatory reasons for ride denials, sometimes even to ‘advocate’ to keep drivers on the platform despite discrimination complaints.”
Lisa Irving, the woman, isn’t suddenly a millionaire, by the way. The arbitrator awarded her $324,000 in damages, with the rest ($805,313) going to legal costs, including attorney fees. She spoke to the Chronicle about her dog and her memories, including one where a driver did pick her up, then got vocally angry about having a dog in the car and threatened to leave them on the side of the road. She says she was rejected at least 60 times.
Uber now has a dedicated support form for issues with service animals. “Was a service animal denied?” is the very first question. Here’s the link for the service animal policy
(From the Spring issue of the FORWARD, newsletter of the Golden State Guide Dog Handlers, Inc)
Does Your Dog Sleep Like This? If you’re a dog parent, I’m sure you’ve noticed that your furry family member sleeps. A lot. Which is normal, by the way. Healthy adult dogs spend an average of 12 to 14 hours a day sacked out. Pups, seniors and dogs with health problems often need even more rest.
Since our dogs spend so much time sleeping, we’re familiar with the wide assortment of positions they take, and this goes double if your pet sleeps on your bed, lap or chest. What you might not realize is there’s sometimes an evolutionary force behind your dog’s body language while snoozing. The following is a cheat sheet for interpreting the meaning behind your pet’s sleep positions.
6 Dog Sleeping Positions and What They Mean
Curled up in a ball (aka the donut or fuzzy bagel position) — Dogs often sleep curled up in a tight ball, with their nose touching their tail. Dr. Katherine Houpt, a behavioral medicine professor at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has observed that this is the preferred position for dogs in shelters. “They almost all sleep that way when they’re undisturbed — in balls, curled up,” Houpt told PetMD. This sleeping position conserves body heat (which is why we tend to see it more often during the cooler months of the year) and also protects internal organs from predators, which is why dogs in the wild tend to dig nests and curl up in them for both warmth and protection.
On the back (aka crazy legs) — This is probably among the weirdest, yet cutest sleeping position dogs assume. If you find your pup stretched out on his back, with one or both front legs stretched out, he’s exposing his belly, which is a sign of submissiveness and vulnerability. His willingness to fall asleep in this position means he’s feeling very secure and relaxed in his environment. On the other hand, he could also just be feeling a bit overheated, and exposing his tummy helps cool his body down. Dogs who sleep in this position regularly are typically independent and calm.
The cuddler — Dogs who cuddle up with their humans, or sleep back-to-back with other pets in the household, are remembering their puppy pasts when they napped with their littermates to conserve body heat. If your dog likes to maintain contact with you while she sleeps, she’s showing she trusts you, and the feeling is probably mutual, since surveys indicate that 56% of dog parents sleep next to their dogs.
The belly flop (aka the superman) — This sleep position is adorably funny, because what’s not to love about a dog lying flat on his tummy with his front and back legs extended straight out? Looking down at him, it’s easy to imagine he’s about to belly flop into a pool or fly away to save the day! Dog behavior expert Dr. Stanley Coren believes this position also relates to temperature. “The fur on the dog’s underside is not as deep and insulating as the fur on the rest of his body,” he tells PetMD. “What you call the ‘Superman position’ — with limbs outstretched and belly against the floor — is also a response to a warm environment, but usually occurs in situations where the surface that the dog is lying on is relatively cooler than the air around him.” Since it’s easy for dogs to get to their feet in this position, they tend only to use it for catnaps and not for serious snoozing.
Side sleeping — This is the most common position dogs take for sleeping, according to Coren. And that’s a good thing, because when your dog naps lying on her side, it means she’s relaxed and comfortable in her environment. Side sleeping pups also tend to be affectionate and share a close bond with their humans.
The lion pose — The lion pose is similar to the belly flop, with two important distinctions: the back legs are under the haunches instead of pushed out, and the muscles of the body are contracted, preventing deep sleep. Dogs generally get into this position to relieve stress and make themselves more comfortable. It’s often seen in dogs with lots of energy to burn, who don’t feel like sleeping and are waiting for an opportunity to leap into action.
Other Ways Your Dog’s Sleep Differs from Yours
Beyond sleeping positions, the major difference between human and canine sleep patterns is the amount of time spent in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is the most restorative stage of sleep and plays a role in learning and memory. In REM sleep, the brain is active and there may be dreaming. Humans spend about 25% of their night in REM sleep, compared to about 10% for dogs. This means dogs need more total sleep to get adequate restorative sleep.
While humans tend to do best with a set sleep-wake schedule, dogs are much more flexible, so you needn’t worry about getting your dog to bed on time or up by a certain hour. Generally speaking, dogs follow their natural impulses, including sleeping when they need it, which is why they don’t often sleep for eight-hour stretches. If it seems your dog can go from deeply asleep to fully alert in the blink of an eye, and in response to even the slightest noise or disruption, it’s not in your head. One Australian study found that during an eight-hour nighttime period, dogs averaged 23 sleep-wake episodes, with the average sleep-wake cycle consisting of 16 minutes asleep followed by five minutes awake. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be aware your dog is awake — he’ll likely lie quietly. It also doesn’t mean he’s not getting quality rest, but if he seems especially restless or is unable to find a comfortable position to sleep in, you should have him checked out by your veterinarian to rule out pain or other symptoms or health conditions that could be keeping him awake.
Something I recommend for all pet parents is a grounding mat, which can help balance your dog’s circadian rhythm, particularly if he doesn’t spend much time outdoors. Wild animals are naturally grounded to the earth, which provides numerous benefits due to the transfer of electrons from the ground to their body. You can also unplug wireless routers at night to give your pet a break from electromagnetic fields (EMFs). For dogs who seem unable to settle down, a grounding mat can be very beneficial. In addition, be sure to provide a comfortable, adequately sized bed, made from natural materials, in a quiet, cozy spot. Depending on your dog’s favorite sleeping position, you can choose a dog bed to match. For instance, dogs who sleep curled up may like a round bed with deep sides, whereas side sleepers may prefer a cushioned, flatter surface to spread out on. For belly or back sleepers, an elevated bed may help keep them cool and supported. Turn off all lights and loud sounds (TVs and radios) when going to bed; this can disrupt your dog’s ability to produce enough melatonin to sleep soundly, but don’t forget to open your blinds and shades in your home the next morning (dogs need access to direct sunlight to produce healthy daytime hormones, too!)
Editor’s note:
announcements and articles, for GDUI- News You Can Use, are culled from a variety of sources; Hence inclusion herein does not imply GDUI endorses, supports or verifies their contents. Information, ideas, or expressed opinions are not advice, therefore should not be treated as such. Factual errors are the responsibility of the listed source.
GDUI Convention 2021 is over and, as for Mr. A and I, much rest did ensue!
I am taking this opportunity to recognize people, without whom, this convention would not have happened, or been so successful!
To the Convention Program Planning team- Deb Trevino, co-coordinator, Sarah Calhoun, GDUI President, Lynn Merrill, Maria Hansen, Maria Kristic, and, last but very much not least, my anonymous (name withheld to protect the innocent) Planning Partner- unnamed but eternally thanked!!! Ladies you made me look clever, creative- like all that and a Kit Kat!! “THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!” To Steve our wonderful web master, you always rise to whatever challenge I throw at you. As a result of your expertise, and prompt response to any and all requests updates and changes to gdui.org happen quickly and accessibly. I am forever grateful for the Steveafacation of the content I send your way! To all of the presenters for giving up time during their summer to share with us and be interesting, informative, and enlightening. To Hava who provided plush guides, Pawz and Rezoom, so beautifully appointed in their hand-crafted gear! To everyone who purchased tickets for the drawing and registered for GDUI at the time of overall conference registration helping raise much needed funds for GDUI to continue the life changing work we do. To the people who hosted each session, making certain untrained people such as myself didn’t derail the doings. To everyone behind the scenes at ACB for making the virtual experience so terrific and unforgettable. To all of you who attended the sessions, causing all the time, energy, and work necessary to make GDUI Convention 2021 happen fade in to a distant memory, replaced with a feeling of having hit one all the way out of the park!
I really enjoyed the program this year! I found it interesting, informative, and thought provoking. It was great fun being part of the team that put it together!
While it was not the intention to create a program that was thematic, that is what happened. Our author, Christie Bane, talked about her book, Forward Together: An Inside Look at Guide Dog Training, which delves in to the raising, training and placement of guide dogs. Dr. Giudice and Paul Fink describe some of their current research and talked about the future of autonomous vehicles (Avs; the many benefits and huge potential of this newest form of transportation, and highlighted some of the challenges that need to be addressed.
We learned of a collaborative video, created to educate TSA, airport, and airline employees. Chelsea White- The Seeing Eye and Rabih Dow- Guide Dogs for the Blind, partners in the video, explained who is the target audience and urged all of us to share it with anyone we know, or anyone we know who knows someone, connected to TSA and airports and airlines.
David Locklin- Leader Dogs for the Blind, Lukas Franck- The Seeing Eye, and Diane Bergeron- CNIB Guide Dogs discussed the importance of knowledge sharing between guide schools. Whether helping each other through the pandemic or with the challenges faced establishing guide dog programs around the world. Additionally, we had more guide dog schools than ever before at the school update session; filling us in on how they have weathered the past year, and the creative, innovative way they have met the unusual circumstances of the pandemic. Of course, let’s not forget, the amazing, inspiring award winners!
So, focus on travel you ask? Yes, each session focused on some aspect of the guide dog world… how they grow and learn, the fabulous lives people lead and things they do while partnered with a guide dog, how the programs that breed and train them are working, individually and together, to meet the needs of their graduates and applicants, how those same guide dog programs are dedicated to bringing the freedom and independence of the guide dog life style to the whole world, we received a new tool, the video, to make air travel less frustrating, and finally, what it might look like for us to be able to “drive” ourselves, and our guides, to a favorite local business and get a celebratory treat or beverage.
Well, space, and your attention, runs short. “Madame President, I apologize, my rhapsodizing has left no room for your usual greetings! “
Enjoy this issue and stay safe and cool!
Sending cyber hugs and wags, Andrea and Mr. A
Announcement: Want to help drive the future of driving?
Contact Dr. Nicholas Giudice to get involved with his research
Download and store these books before they disappear on August 31st!
Though National Braille Press moved exclusively into using the Unified English Braille code (UEB) back in 2016, we still have a handful of useful and/or fun books in downloadable electronic braille format (BRFs) in the old, English Braille American Edition code (EBAE). To help us clean up our database, we plan to remove these older BRFs, but not before we give you a chance to download them at a huge discount!
We’re offering these books as downloads only for $5.00 each between now and August 31, 2021. From cookbooks to kids book, get them now!
Now There’s a Magazine Website Specifically for You
Dorrie Rush, OE’s Chief Content Officer, joins us for a chat about this wonderful online resource chock full of tips for living well with vision loss.
You’ll find great articles on using tech tools, tips for health and well-being, stories from others living with vision loss, a terrific podcast, and more.
Audio Described National Parks
Audio Describe the World! That’s the mantra of UniDescription: a free smartphone app that provides audio descriptions and navigation tips for US National Parks and other public places.
Downloadable transcripts are available at: hadley.edu
Article: Important news about traveling with a guide dog, from the CDC
As of July 14, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) began requiring that people traveling back to the U.S. from countries where rabies is a high risk obtain a permit to return to the country with their dogs. The CDC urges people to apply for the permit 6 weeks before they intend to return to the country with their dogs. This permit requirement does apply to service dogs and you must have the permit even if your dog was vaccinated in the U.S. and you have proof of vaccination. Below is the list of countries the CDC considers to be high risk. If your travel destination is not on this list, you do not need to apply for the permit. You should review the list carefully as you make your travel plans.
Below is a link to detailed information about how to apply for the permit, including information about where to email your completed permit application.
How to Apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit
You must already have the permit when you return from the high-risk country to the U.S. You cannot apply for the permit upon your return to the U.S. If you return without a permit, your dog can be denied entry into the country.
If you have questions about this information, please reach out directly to the CDC either by email at cdcanimalimports@cdc.gov or call (800)-232-4636.
Beginning July 14, 2021, there is a temporary suspension for dogs imported from high-risk countries for dog rabies. CDC has the authority to issue a CDC Dog Import Permit for US citizens and lawful residents relocating from high-risk countries to bring their dogs into the United States. Such permits will be issued on an extremely limited basis.
First 90-Day Transition Process
From July 14 through October 14, 2021, dogs coming from high-risk countries with CDC Dog Import Permits can enter the United States at one of these 18 airports: Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago (ORD), Dallas, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York (JFK), Newark, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan, Seattle, and Washington, DC (Dulles).
After October 14, 2021, dogs coming from high-risk countries with CDC Dog Import Permits must enter only at approved ports of entry.
High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies:
Updated July 14, 2021
Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti
Egypt (Temporary importation suspension of dogs from Egypt until further notice)
If a country or political unit is not listed above, it is not considered high risk for importing dog rabies into the United States. Therefore, if the country is not listed, CDC strongly recommends a rabies vaccine certificate, but it is not required to enter the United States.
Editor’s note: I sent an e-mail requesting more detailed information about how this CDC Dog Import Permit and the restricted entry airports pertains to guide dogs. I did receive an answer, just today, and I am pasting in one line from that message: “At this time, service dogs may travel through the approved airports.” I am no expert; however, it seems careful research needs to be done if your travel includes any of the above-mentioned countries.
Article: Prevent these five common summer paw problems
Spending time outside in the fresh air and sunshine is one of the many joys of summer, but sometimes outdoor play can end up being a bit rough on dog paws. Nothing puts the kibosh on outdoor fun as fast as a paw injury. Keep the good times going by taking these steps to ensure your dog’s feet remain unharmed throughout all their summertime shenanigans. While some cuts and bruises may be unavoidable, these five classic summertime paw problems are perfectly preventable.
Burnt and torn pads:
If you’ve ever run across the street barefoot as a kid, then you undoubtedly remember just how hot and uncomfortable that blacktop can get. Walking or, even worse, running on its scorching and rough surface can easily burn and tear your dog’s paw pads. Protect those tender toes by restricting your walks and runs to the cooler hours of the day and the smoother sidewalk surfaces.
Metal edging injuries:
Metal edging is a common fixture in many backyards, which is probably why it’s also one of the most common causes of cut dog paws. Although it may seem blunt, it’s as good as a knife when a running dog lands on it at high speed. Remove the risk from your yard by opting for pet-friendly edging options like brick or poured concrete.
Torn nails:
A toenail that gets snagged during rambunctious play or a full-tilt run can end up getting pulled right off—ouch! Keep your dog’s nails trimmed short to prevent them from catching on things. If you’ve been avoiding this task because your dog isn’t a fan of nail trims, check out our tips to de-stress your pet’s pedicures.
Grass awn foreign bodies:
Grass awns, also known as foxtails, may look harmless as they barely cling to your dog’s coat, but these problematic seed pods have the uncanny ability to penetrate the skin and then slowly work their way deeper into the tissue. They often end up between dog toes, making their way into the paw itself. Keep grass awns off your dog by mowing your lawn regularly and avoiding tall grasses on walks.
Ticks:
These crafty parasites like to burrow in tricky places, and one of their common hard-to-find spots is between the toes (in the ears is their other super sneaky hideout). Because finding them can be so difficult, the best way to protect your pet from ticks is to use year-round parasite preventives.
Article: Guide Dog Raised by NHL Team Is Ready to Head to the Paralympics with His New Swimmer Owner
Anastasia Pagonis, 16, and Radar the guide dog are currently at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado
September is National Service Dog Month, but that’s not even the biggest news in Radar’s life.
The Labrador retriever guide dog was recently matched with his owner Anastasia Pagonis, a blind 16-year-old who quickly succeeded at competitive swimming after losing her eyesight two years ago. Two weeks after being introduced, Radar and Pagonis are residing at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Pagonis, one of the top athletes on the U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team, is training for a chance to compete in the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo — now rescheduled to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Even though the pair only knew each other for 4 days ahead of the trip from Pagonis’ home in Long Island, New York to Colorado, the swimmer says that Radar handled travel “really well.” Having Radar by her side was a welcomed change for Pagonis, who had to “rely on other people” for almost everything before being paired with the guide dog.
“Honestly, I couldn’t be like my own person and so now that I have him, I feel so independent,” the teen tells PEOPLE about how Radar has already rapidly reshaped her life.
“I’m gonna conquer the world with him,” she adds.
Pagonis already conquered quite a bit before meeting Radar. At 11, Pagonis, then playing soccer, was starting to lose her vision due to a genetic disease, and while she could see “pretty well at the time” she had a blind spot that caused her to ” get kicked in the face too much with the ball.” Dedicated to keeping athletics as part of her life, Pagonis spoke to her doctor about a different sport she could try that was better suited to her vision loss. Her doctor suggested swimming.
“When I got in the water, I fell in love with it,” Pagonis says of starting the sport. “It was a place where I felt free, where I didn’t need any help getting around, and I didn’t need anything.”
Unfortunately, in 2018, Pagonis’ vision “completely blew” suddenly, leaving her only able to distinguish some variations in light.
“We didn’t understand why this was happening or what was going on,” Pagonis says of the overwhelming moment. “I went back to the doctor and I came back with autoimmune retinopathy, which is another disease on top of my genetic disease. How lucky am I?”
The sudden loss of her vision understandably rattled Pagonis who stopped swimming and went through “a really dark time” as she grappled with what this change meant for her future. With help from her supportive family, Pagonis focused on her mental health and got the help she needed to be ready to start swimming again.
“Then, we could not find a coach that wanted to train me because nobody wanted to train the blind girl,” she says of trying to restart swimming. “Nobody had faith in me.”
Until Marc Danin of Islander Aquatics happily agreed to train Pagonis, even blacking out his goggles to get a better understanding of how Pagonis experiences swimming.
“I figured it out and I got back into it and now it’s my happy place. I love it so much again. It’s honestly my favorite time of the day. My favorite time of everything. It’s my life now,” Pagonis shares.
This passion, and the support of Coach Danin and her team, has helped Pagonis rise to the position she is in now: training for a potential spot in the Paralympics. Pagonis has also embraced her vision loss and has become an advocate for blind people and everything they can achieve, using her Instagram (@anastasia_k_p) to show her support and enthusiastically educate others on what living life as a blind person is really like.
Pagonis says it is not uncommon for followers to slide into her DM to question if she is really blind because of her appearance and everything she has achieved, an impressive amount for any 16-year-old. She relishes replying to these doubters, explaining to them how real blind people, like her, rarely match the helpless stereotypes many have in their heads.
“I get put in a box all the time. I get put in a box that I can’t do this. I can’t do that,” she says. “I just feel like blindness has such a stereotype where you have to look a certain way, and act a certain way, and you can’t be an elite athlete, and you can’t wear makeup, and you can’t dress up. You just have to be what they want you to be.”
Having Radar by her side only makes her feel more fierce and unstoppable.
“He is literally amazing and he is the smartest dog in the world,” she says of the pooch, who goes with her everywhere, including the pool.
“He’ll just sit on the side of the deck and he’ll just chill there.”
If Pagonis heads to Tokyo in 2021 for the Paralympics, Radar will be there too, and he is uniquely prepared for the crowds, sounds, and chaos that comes with big events.
Radar, a guide dog trained by the Guide Dog Foundation, was raised by the New York Islanders hockey team. While Radar was born at the Guide Dog Foundation’s campus in Long Island, New York, and was later trained by their professionals and matched with Pagonis free of charge, the non-profit relies on volunteers to help raise and socialize their puppies before they return to campus for more advanced training.
The New York Islanders, who had partnered with the Guide Dog Foundation before to raise funds for their efforts, decided to take their support one step further by helping the foundation raise puppies, and Radar was their first. The precious pup attended Islanders games, met fans, pawed around the office, and was regularly immersed in all the sounds and sensations that come with a major sports game.
“Essentially a huge portion of what the first few months of guide dog training are is socializing the puppy and introducing them to new things,” says Ann Rina, the senior director of community relations for the Islanders. “And what better way to do that? We have a captive audience of 15,000 fans in our arena, so why not?”
Radar quickly became a team favorite during his puppy raising period with the Islanders, and Rina says the team, and their fans, are overjoyed to see the dog grown up and already making an impact on his owner’s life. The NHL team was so smitten with being part of the process, the are in the process of raising another service puppy, this time for the Guide Dog Foundation’s sister organization, America’s VetDogs.
To keep track of Pagonis’ Paralympics journey, which hopefully ends with a gold medal for her and Radar, follow her on Instagram.
Article: Judge David Tatel’s lack of eyesight never defined him, but his blindness is woven into the culture of the influential appeals court in D.C.
By: Ann E. Marimow
The Washington Post July 8, 2021
When Judge David S. Tatel informed President Biden of his plan to step back from the federal bench this year, he closed his letter on a personal note: “My guide dog, Vixen, is pleased to know that First Dogs Champ and Major are also German Shepherds.”
In nearly three decades on the appeals court in Washington, Tatel’s lack of eyesight has never defined him. But his blindness — and more recently the attentive German shepherd at his side — is now woven into the culture of the courthouse where Tatel has been at the epicenter of consequential cases affecting major aspects of American life.
The latest formal portrait of the court’s black-robed judges features Vixen in the front row.
“For a judge who can’t see, he sees everything. Not just what is going on in the case before him, but how it matters in the future,” said Steve Vladeck, a constitutional law professor at the University of Texas and close observer of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C.
Circuit. “It’s hard to think of a judge who is more highly respected on the federal appellate bench even by those who disagree with him.”
His plan at age 79 to take a lighter caseload or “senior status” once Biden installs his successor winds down the career of a leading, liberal-leaning voice on the bench that has shaped laws affecting voting rights, the environment, Internet regulations and press freedoms.
Biden’s first slate of judicial nominees aims to quickly boost diversity in federal courts Tatel’s tenure on one of the most influential courts in the country has often thrust him into high-profile disputes involving the
government: New York Times reporter Judith Miller’s battle to protect a confidential source; the troubled military trials at Guantánamo Bay; and more recently, his unsuccessful attempt to block the Trump administration from reviving the federal death penalty.
“After so many years in D.C. in the thick of a lot of controversies, it would be easy to be cynical. But he’s never wavered in his faith in the system he’s a part of,” said Goodwin Liu, one of Tatel’s former law clerks who is a justice on the California Supreme Court. “He has always believed he could persuade his colleagues with rational argument and is open to persuasion himself.”
During oral arguments in the wood-paneled fifth-floor courtroom, it is easy to forget that Tatel is blind. He asks penetrating questions and often has a better handle on details from the dregs of thick case files than some of the attorneys arguing before him. The signs are subtle — an elbow from a colleague guiding him to his seat or the request from a fellow judge to the arguing attorney to read a specific statute out loud.
Retired judge Thomas B. Griffith, who served with Tatel for 15 years, never considered Tatel’s blindness a limitation, but rather envied how his work seemed enhanced by technology. On the bench,
Tatel uses a small Braille computer, listening through one earpiece as he clicks through his meticulous notes.
“Our joke in chambers was, I want one of those little black boxes because it’s got all the right answers, it asks all the right questions and has all the right record citations,” Griffith said.
“It’s just amazing.”
‘The brain adapts’
Tatel’s vision first posed a problem when he played baseball as a kid in Silver Spring. Diagnosed with a retinal disease at the National Eye Institute at 15, he stopped driving his third year of law school at the University of Chicago. His eyesight deteriorated dramatically during a family ski trip when he was nearly 30.
Tatel’s wife Edie, and later the couple’s four children, became his “audible artists” — reading to him, describing the world and guiding him on hikes and down ski slopes.
But after Tatel lost his eyesight, his memory improved prodigiously.
The system of workarounds and network of support he developed, in addition to advances in technology and his superior memory, gave Tatel something akin to a superpower.
Early on, when he was a lawyer in private practice in Washington, Tatel needed everything read to him — newspapers, the mail, legal briefs. Now his desk is a tangle of cords for devices that include the Braille computer that converts text to speech and an oversized iPod-like audio reader.
The computer speaks to him in a robotic, male voice that reads everything including Roman numerals and punctuation marks while mispronouncing certain words. The judge listens at a clip four, sometimes five, times the normal speed, and tears through three newspapers daily and at least half a dozen books a month.
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“The brain adapts,” he said.
By necessity, Tatel’s law clerks read drafts of opinions out loud and make edits as they go before he does light edits on his own computer.
“If a clerk read the wrong word or missed a comma, he would know and say, ‘Isn’t there a comma there or isn’t that a different word?’”
recalled Michelle Friedland, a former clerk who is now a judge on the 9th Circuit.
Tatel’s writing is sparse and not prone to rhetorical flourishes. He detests passive voice and considers footnotes clutter. Anything worth saying should be fully explored in the text of the opinion, he says.
“He has tremendous ability to think in complete paragraphs and a great command of the overall picture of what a draft looks like,” Liu said.
President Bill Clinton picked Tatel in 1994 to succeed Ruth Bader Ginsburg. By then, he’d had a long career as a prominent civil liberties lawyer working to desegregate public schools throughout the country. Tatel honed his judicial style in more than 700 opinions and has collaborated with more than 100 clerks, whose photos are prominently displayed in the hallway of his chambers.
Some include college debate champions who Tatel first hired as his human readers before they went on to law school and returned to his chambers. Travis Crum, his first, gave Tatel a pipeline to what Crum jokingly calls “fast talking nerds who want to go to law school.”
“With all due respect to Yale Law School,” said Crum, now a law professor, “it was the best legal education I got.”
‘He plays it straight’
Even as technology has evolved, what has not changed is Tatel’s analytical, energetic approach to the law and appreciation for the real-world impact of his decisions.
In 2012, a significant case landed with Tatel and his colleagues over a central provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that required states with a history of discrimination to seek federal approval before changing voting laws. Proponents said it was needed to protect minority voting rights, but the Supreme Court had already signaled skepticism.
“I’ve read the briefs, and I realize the Supreme Court has hinted where it’s headed,” Judge Stephen F. Williams, a nominee of President Ronald Reagan, wrote in an email to Tatel. “But I remain uncertain.
What’s your view, David?”
What followed were memos, phone calls and meetings in Tatel’s chambers overlooking the National Gallery of Art in which the judges grappled over the law and the issues in a collaborative back-and-forth.
“You can’t predict how he’s going to decide based on who the plaintiff is or what the issue is. He plays it straight,” said Griffith, the third judge on the panel.
Tatel could not persuade Williams, his close friend who died last summer. But Griffith, a nominee of President George W. Bush, joined Tatel’s majority opinion upholding the law. The courts had no reason, Tatel wrote, to second guess Congress when it came to ensuring that “the right to vote — surely among the most important guarantees of political liberty in the Constitution — is not abridged on account of race.”
But, as Williams predicted, the Supreme Court reversed Tatel the next year in a 5-to-4 decision written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.
Republican-led state legislatures have since passed a flurry of new voting restrictions.
Geoffrey Stone, a professor and former dean of the University of Chicago Law School, said Tatel’s opinion “captured perfectly the reasons why the act was constitutional, why it was sensible and why we as a nation needed it.”
Tatel’s work has also impacted major environmental policies and shaped the future of the Internet. He was initially on the losing side when the full D.C. Circuit refused to rehear a lawsuit from Massachusetts and other states saying George W. Bush’s administration was not doing enough to fight global warming.
“If global warming is not a matter of exceptional importance, then those words have no meaning,” Tatel wrote, after delving into climate science.
He was vindicated in 2007 when the Supreme Court embraced his view and said in a 5-to-4 decision that the Clean Air Act empowers the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gases.
A few years later, Tatel ended up reviewing a trio of critical cases affecting the Internet. In 2016, he and Judge Sri Srinivasan wrote a rare joint opinion upholding strict rules banning Internet providers from blocking or slowing traffic to consumers.
“Given the tremendous impact third-party Internet content has had on our society, it would be hard to deny its dominance in the broadband experience,” the judges wrote. “Over the past two decades, this content has transformed nearly every aspect of our lives, from profound actions like choosing a leader, building a career, and falling in love to more quotidian ones like hailing a cab and watching a movie.”
‘What a good dog’
On the back roads of rural Virginia, where the Tatels relocated during the pandemic, the judge and his dog log many miles exploring together. Tatel firmly grasps Vixen’s harness as she gently steers him to the side of the road, standing guard between him and the large trucks that rumble by. And during virtual court hearings or while Tatel edits an opinion, Vixen collapses on an oversized pillow awaiting the judge’s next move.
Tatel was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 1957 as a teen attending Montgomery Blair High School. As he studied political science at the University of Michigan and later met Edie, his vision problems did not initially interfere with biking, skiing, reading or work.
After law school, he became an investigator for the Chicago mayor’s commission to study the 1968 riots, which cemented his commitment to civil rights and education. He would go on to lead the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the national committee in D.C. During the Carter administration, he revived the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
By his early 30s, Tatel had lost his eyesight.
He learned to use a mobility cane from a woman who taught tap dancing at the Chevy Chase Community Center. But for years, he resisted getting a guide dog in part because he thought it would require a lengthy training period away from court. Some in his family were also reluctant — partly fearing they would be displaced by a dog.
“All these years, we’ve walked together,” Tatel said of Edie. “My children, too. We never walk anywhere without holding on.”
But Tatel’s thinking changed as his movements became more prescribed.
Edie walked with him from their apartment in Friendship Heights to the Metro. Law clerks took turns meeting him at Judiciary Square to walk with him to the gym to swim laps and then on to court.
Tatel first met Vixen in the summer of 2019, after his grandson shared a podcast describing a guide dog program with on-site, at-home training.
“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” said Tatel, who has run three marathons. “You have to give up all the techniques you’ve learned to get around and turn them over to a dog.”
Commands, hand signals, listening to traffic. Tatel engaged in two weeks of around-the-clock, painstaking work with a trainer and Vixen.
The communication slowly began to feel more instinctive as they practiced walking city streets. But it would take six months to click and they are still learning from each other.
There were minor mishaps. When Vixen took a wrong turn during an early visit to the courthouse, the U.S. marshals had to steer the judge in the right direction.
During a recent trip to the courthouse, Tatel stood with Vixen on the Metro platform in Friendship Heights and waited. The double doors of the rail car slid open and Vixen guided the judge inside.
“What a good dog,” Tatel said, patting her head as she sat at his feet for the ride.
In his letter to Biden in February, Tatel characterized his tenure on the bench as “the highest honor of my professional life. But he said after 27 years, it was time to “make room for a new generation.”
After their Metro ride to Judiciary Square, Vixen took Tatel past a homeless encampment and then slowed down to signal caution as she expertly navigated between two cylindrical jersey barriers to arrive at the courthouse doors.
Even after more than a year away, Vixen needed no prompting from the judge.
She took him into the elevator and then trotted through the warren of private hallways until they reached Tatel’s light-filled chambers with a view of the Mall.
The judge exuberantly greeted his legal assistant, Amanda Grace, and with his hand on Vixen’s head, said: “Guess who knew the way?”
Article: Fabulous weekly e-newsletter full of great stuff!
Top Tech Tidbits. The world’s #1 online resource for current news and trends in adaptive technology.
Case For Not Using Accessibility Overlays, With Added Privacy Concerns
A.) A lot of accessibility professionals have endorsed or contributed to this document explaining why AccessiBe and similar products harm accessibility efforts:
Game On | 1 New Endorsement | Top Tech Tidbits BVI Technology Game Directory | 10 Games Listed
If you are a blind or visually impaired gamer and you play a game that you would like to tell other blind or visually impaired gamers about, please submit your game to the Top Tech Tidbits BVI Technology Game Directory today. And remember, if you come across a game in the Directory that you agree is awesome, please be sure to endorse it by submitting it yourself so that it moves up the list where more people will notice it:
Paid Research Project | Exploring the Experiences and Needs of People with Visual Impairments in a Kitchen | Closes: August 3rd 2021
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is conducting a research project to explore how blind and low-vision people cook in the kitchen so that we can understand their challenges, and design technologies to support cooking activities. In a study session, we will be observing participants cooking, and interviewing them about their cooking experiences. You may qualify if you are: 18+ years old AND blind or low vision for at least one year AND a US resident. (We can only offer research compensation to US residents for now due to tax requirements. Sorry for that!). We will provide a $15 Amazon gift card per hour as compensation. The study will last about 2 hours, so the total compensation will be $30. If you are interested in our study, please fill in the questionnaire in the link to sign up:
A Controversial Tool Calls Out Thousands of Hackable Websites
Say Yes To The Dress: Who is Shaela Warkentin? Meet TLC’s blind bride on Instagram
“Say Yes to The Dress” featured the second episode of its brand-new season on Saturday, July 24th 2021. The episode took many viewers by surprise as it featured the blind bride, Shaela Warkentin, whom Randy Fenoli and the other store managers assisted to find a bridal gown:
New Award-Winning App Helps the Visually Impaired Manage Their Wardrobe
Two Industrial Design students from Carleton University have won an Innovative Designs for Accessibility (IDeA) student competition award from Universities Canada for their concept Closet, a label system that enables people with visual disabilities to independently manage their clothes:
H&M Tops List of Accessible Websites, As Most Retailers Fail to Cater for The Visually Impaired
Clothing retailer H&M’s homepage topped the table for accessible websites, registering a perfect score of 100 on Google Lighthouse — the only site to cater for all types of visual impairments:
Deaf-Blind Swimmer Withdraws From Paralympics After Being Denied Access To Personal Care Assistant
Becca Meyers, a six-time medallist, has been forced to withdraw from the competition after officials denied her access to have her Personal Care Assistant with her in Japan:
Blind YouTube Star Molly Burke Wants To Help Young Disabled People Navigate Wellness
Molly Burke has been on YouTube for six years, sharing her life as a young blind woman to nearly two million people on a regular basis — including daily routines, unique challenge videos and anecdotes about losing her sight as a result of an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa. With her recent partnership with Schick, however, the 27-year-old aims to do more than to share her life experiences on her platform, but also to use it to make wellness more accessible:
Introduction to Audio Description from 3Play Media
August 12th 2021 | 11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT | This webinar will cover the basics of how to add audio description to online video, legal requirements for audio description, video player compatibility, examples and demos, how to create audio description, and benefits of audio description outside of accessibility:
Technology User Group Helps You Prepare for the Changes Coming to Your iDevice and Computer
August 14th 2021 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT | On Saturday, August 14th 2021 the Technology User Group helps you prepare for the changes coming to your iDevice and computer. This September, iOS 15 will be released. Is your phone eligible for the upgrade? What new features can you expect? Is Siri going to have added skills and abilities? Also, we will look at the expected changes to Jaws and Zoomtext as they move toward a new Beta version debuting in October. You do not have to RSVP for this event. The presentation will last about 90 minutes. We look forward to meeting with you virtually and hope that you will join us for other exciting events we have planned for 2021. This presentation will be virtual and may be joined by calling:
319-527-4994
Editor’s note:
Material for GDUI- News You Can Use, is culled from a variety of sources; Hence inclusion herein does not imply GDUI endorses, supports or verifies its contents. Information, ideas, or expressed opinions are not advice, therefore should not be treated as such. Factual errors are the responsibility of the listed source.
Sincerely,
Sarah Calhoun, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Andrea Giudice, Editor
Penny Reeder, Co-editor and GDUI Immediate Past President
Well, it has been busy and this is coming out a bit later than anticipated so I will let the content speak for itself. There is lots to this issue, studies to participate in, tips for taking better pics, a good idea for your next read, and really interesting information about recycling. Stay tuned, another Paws for GDUI News You Can Use is coming very soon full to bursting with all things convention!
Until then, keep your leash loose and our shoulders back!
Sending cyber hugs and wags, Andrea and Mr. A
From the President: Greetings everyone!
I hope this note finds you well! It has been nice getting out and about more with our guide dogs, those working with a new four-legged partner, and just enjoying the ability to visit family and friends!
Thank you to all who voted! We certainly have a wonderful, secure and easy to use system through VoteNow!
With summer just around the corner and outdoor activities being available to everyone this year, I hope you and your guide dog enjoy the sun and fresh air! If you have any fun and interesting encounters, please let us know by sending them to the GDUI chat list!
We are still compiling experiences completing the Department of Transportation forms prior to traveling by air with your guide dog. Whether you have a positive or negative encounter, please let us know! You can send your story to:
Remember to register for the GDUI convention presentations on the ACB convention registration form. To be eligible to win a door prize during one of GDUI’s convention presentations, you need to pay the registration fee of $15.00.
Thank you for being a valued member, friend and supporter of GDUI! Not only are you supporting this wonderful organization, but the schools and people who afford us the opportunity to travel with these spectacular guide dogs! Wishing you fun, enjoyable and safe travels, four paws at a time!
Fondly,
Sarah Calhoun & Lakota
Announcement: The market research company, Eye Square, is currently conducting a new nation-wide project to help improve map and search apps for visually impaired users.
We are looking for visually impaired map and search app users to talk to us via Zoom and give us their feedback. We are especially interested in finding people who use Android mobile phones. Interviews will last about an hour, and participants will be compensated for their time.
The basic qualifications to participate are that individuals be 18 years or older and that they use a screen reader on their smartphone. Those interested will be required to go through a short screening process by phone to determine if they meet the study’s eligibility criteria
Contact Katie, if you are interested in the project or have any questions.
We have great news for Verizon customers! You can now connect directly with Verizon through Be My Eyes to get your questions about accessibility features for Verizon products and services answered. As one of the leading telecom providers in the US, we’re thrilled to be partnering with Verizon to help you get the most out of your phone plan and all the accessibility features.
The Verizon service is already available through the Be My Eyes app – just enter the Specialized Help menu in the Be My Eyes app, locate Verizon in the Technical category and give them a call. To start, the Verizon Accessibility Support team is available to answer your Be My Eyes calls Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5 to 7 PM ET.
But wait, there’s more! To make things even more exciting, we’ve announced our first Careers partner, Jobs for Humanity. With the launch of their new job board, blind.jobs, they already have more than 1,000 positions available around the world, where employers have committed to interviewing the top visually impaired candidates. This is pretty amazing stuff, and they’re holding open office hours on Specialized Help a few hours per week to help people get familiar with the service they provide.
Announcement: Study relating to face coverings and mobility
COVID-19 has introduced many new barriers. This study explores the impact of face masks on echolocation and the ability to draw on other environmental cues during independent travel. We want to hear from you, even if you have not encountered barriers. You will have the opportunity to share strategies that have worked for you, which will contribute to the development of recommendations. We invite you to participate and share widely!
Mobility with Face Masks Study – Need Participants!
Attention to all persons who are blind, deafblind or who have Low Vision! We are seeking individuals 18 years or older to complete a short online survey about your experience with face masks or facial protection and with independent travel during COVID-19. This research has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Montreal. Results from this survey will inform important recommendations to address barriers related to orientation and mobility during COVID-19. Visit https://communications.guidedogs.com/e/896181/835673-lang-en/p69q/137262015?h=MVodVDWyS5PBY_PBrW4WF8e4ijt3lsQ_zHO6R19fglw to learn more or to participate! If you encounter difficulties, you may also call (514) 343-7962 to request assistance by phone.
Announcement: Book by guide dog handler Nominated for an Audio Book Award!
BY: Betsy Folwell with Hartlyn
“Short Carries: Essays from Adirondack Life” was my pandemic project says Betsy Folwell, a GDB graduate working with Hartlyn an eight-year-old black Lab. The book is a collection of articles on nature, outdoor recreation, local history and small-town life that was published as a paperback in 2009. “After visiting some GDB folks in Montreal in January 2020 I realized that my book is just not accessible to my new friends, nor, for that matter, to me as a blind person.”
“Using the Audible Creative Exchange, a platform that connects authors and narrators, I selected a price range for production and posted samples for auditions. I was blown away when 60 MP3 files came in, all women reading the same sample I chose,” Linda Jones, who has narrated scores of books for major publishers had just the right delivery for the book, which runs 8 hours and 18 minutes.
In April Jones notified the author that Short Carries is a finalist for the Independent Audiobook Awards in the nonfiction category. The winner will be announced at the Hear Now Festival in June.
(Excerpted from: Guide Dogs for the Blind ALUMNI NEWS- Volume 29 – Number 2)
Are you itching to capture those perfect, post-pandemic memorable moments with your dog back out at a favorite spot? Here are some pro tips from GDB’s marketing team and photo maven, Morry Angell.
Photograph people and dogs in close proximity; eg: rather than have a person standing next to a dog (where the person is tall, and the dog is short), get the dog and person’s faces in closer proximity – it may mean having the person kneel or the dog get on a bench.
Photograph dogs at their eye level, rather than from above.
If appropriate, get the dog’s attention so that they look alert. Particularly in the case of Labradors, they look best in photographs when their ears are “up” or flagged. If their ears are lying back on their head, they can look sad, nervous or scared – even if that is not the case.
While the gear- leashes, bait bags, leash luggage, etc.- serves valid purposes, it can clutter up photographs. When it is safe to do so, consider discreetly tucking said items off to the side or behind the dog. Remember- Safety first- Always!
Be aware of the surroundings in your photographs. What is in the background and foreground? Can you move your subject or your camera to get a cleaner background or foreground? Can you remove clutter (garbage cans, odd furnishings, etc.)? Are there people in your background that shouldn’t be?
Be aware that taking your photo in front of an open window or door where the light is behind the subject can create a backlight effect where everyone looks like a shadow and is difficult to see in the image. Instead, try switching the positioning so your subject is facing the window, door or light source.
Most important, be safe and live in the moment with your dog while having fun.
Editor’s note: I included these tips because, unlike many of you, I am a total novice at taking pictures of my guide. Mr. A is tired of me prominently featuring his toes, the tip of his tail, or one nostril in my photos. When I read the above tips recently I found them helpful and thought others might too. Please remember they are simply suggestions and, while originally published by Guide Dogs for the Blind, I have excerpted the original
Article: Sustainability Through an Inclusive Lens
BY: Hillary Scanlon
(Excerpted from: Guide Dogs for the Blind ALUMNI NEWS- Volume 29 – Number 2)
When I suddenly and unexpectedly lost my vision in 2016, I felt that I was thrown into a world that I had never known before. Certainly, this world has always existed, but I did not have the time or desire to notice it until I needed to. This world, the world of inaccessibility and exclusion, is full of hurdles and hoops for people with disabilities to navigate, understand, fight against.
When I first lost my vision, I was extremely frustrated with my inability to complete seemingly simple tasks such as reading a book, texting a friend, putting toothpaste on a toothbrush, and throwing out my waste when I was in public. I never imagined that being able to dispose of waste properly in public spaces was tied to a certain level of privilege and ability. If I went to grab tea on my university campus, I had to think about what I was going to do with the cup, the lid, the tea bag, and the cardboard sleeve that I had now acquired. Should I walk up and down the hallway with my cane to see if I can into anything that feels like a waste container? If I happen to find one, should I try and determine the proper waste stream for each of the cup components? This would require me to touch and feel the containers and try to decipher which waste stream was which. If I went this route, I often ended up touching something sticky, and was then tasked with finding a hand sanitizing station and/or a washroom. If I was determined and had time that day, I would do what I described above. If I didn’t, I had a few options. First, I could just try and find the waste unit and throw out my cup in whichever stream I could find. The second option was to litter. The third option was to put my cup in my bag (which often resulted in a mess), bring it home with me, and dispose of it at home where I am familiar with the locations of the garbage, organics, and recycling. All of these options are not only inconvenient, but they are also unacceptable.
In 2019, I received my first guide dog, Margarita. She is a 60lb Yellow Lab who is the perfect combination of a co-worker, a friend, and a dog. When her harness is on, she has her game face on. When her harness is off, I usually have to convince people that she is indeed a guide dog because she is so silly and goofy. The perfect combination. I would do anything for her, and I know she would do anything for me.
As all guide dog users are aware, one of our responsibilities as a handler is to clean up after our dogs, “do their business.” Picking up waste and keeping spaces clean is part of being a community member and a steward of the environment. Properly disposing of this waste, however, is a barrier. Whether you have a bag of poop, a cup of tea, a tissue, etc., you are asked and expected by society to dispose of this waste properly. Unfortunately, society has not provided all of its members with the tools necessary to do this. That is why I developed STIL Solutions (Sustainability Through an Inclusive Lens).
At STIL Solutions, we aim to bridge the gap between sustainability and accessibility by making waste disposal more accessible to people with vision loss and other disabilities. We do this by providing communities, institutions, business, etc. with a product known as the WasteFinder. The WasteFinder is a two-part system that uses a technology similar to tactile walking surface indicators (i.e., similar to what you may interact with at a crosswalk or at the top of stairs). The first component, the Vicinity Indicator, goes on the ground (like a large mat), surrounding the waste container and alerts individuals who pass over it that they are in the vicinity of a waste container. The Vicinity Indicator is light blue and contains raised outlines of flat triangles. This unique colour and texture make it easy for individuals of all abilities to determine that they are in the vicinity of (or close to) a waste container.
The second component of the WasteFinder is the Stream Indicators. Stream Indicators are also placed on the ground, however, they are located directly in front of the appropriate waste stream, thereby enabling people with vision loss, and those of all abilities, to identify which waste stream they are directly in front of without having to touch the waste container. This is done by seeing or feeling the unique design of each Stream Indicator under your feet, mobility device, etc. STIL currently provides 3 types of Stream Indicators, the Recycling Stream Indicator, the Garbage Stream Indicator, and the Organics Stream Indicator.
The Recycling Stream Indicator
The Recycling Stream Indicator is a royal blue 12” x 12” indicator that is placed on the ground directly in front of the recycling stream. It contains a large, raised outline of a equilateral triangle, a shape that resembles the recycling symbol. If the tip of the triangle is pointed towards you (i.e., away from the waste unit), that indicates that you are directly in front of the plastics and containers waste stream. If the tip of the triangle is pointed away from you (i.e., towards the waste unit), that indicates that you are directly in front of the paper and cardboard waste stream.
What does it feel like?
If you were to stand on the Recycling Stream Container or move your mobility device over it, it may feel somewhat like a Toblerone (a pyramid-like candy bar). In other words, the top surface of the raised outline of the triangle is not flat, but rather, it is triangular.
The Garbage Stream Indicator
The Garbage Stream Indicator is a black or dark grey 12” x 12” indicator that is placed on the ground directly in front of the garbage stream. It contains a large, raised outline of a square.
What does it feel like?
If you were to stand on the Garbage Stream Container or move your mobility device over it, it may feel somewhat like a miniature step. The top of the raised outline of the square is smooth and parallel with the ground.
The Organics Stream Indicator
The Organics Stream Indicator is a forest green 12” x 12” indicator that is placed on the ground directly in front of the organics stream. It contains a large, raised outline of a circle, a shape that is often used to represent the Earth or organic materials. The circle also resembles the letter “O,” which is a great way to remember that “O” is for “organics.”
What does it feel like?
If you were to stand on the Organics Stream Container or move your mobility device over it, it may feel like you are interacting with a solid hose that has been cut in half lengthwise and placed in a circular formation. In other words, the top surface of the raised outline of the circle is not flat, but rather, it is rounded.
Product characteristics
AODA compliant
ADA compliant
Weather resistant – whether you are in California or Ottawa…
7 Principles of Universal Design
The use of shapes, textures, colours, rather than text, makes the product usable/accessible to people whose first language may not be English, to young children who cannot yet read, to individuals with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, to people with developmental disabilities who often rely on shapes and colours to understand and communicate with their environment.
If you are interested in the WasteFinder and would like to implement it in your space, we invite you to visit our website at www.stilsolutions.ca. We are always open to feedback and we welcome your contributions to the development of a more sustainable and accessible world.
Sincerely,
Sarah Calhoun, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Andrea Giudice, Editor
Penny Reeder, Co-editor and GDUI Immediate Past President
Alas, my hope for March going out like a lamb has not come to fruition. Well, Spring is officially here so consistently warmer days should be ahead- no joke!
Turning to this issue…, there is a wide range of topics to keep you engaged- including, but not limited to, more audio description on HBO, an opportunity to give your input on autonomous vehicles, Webinars offered in April, words from GDUI’s President and more.
Sending cyber hugs and wags, Andrea and Mr. A
From the President: Hello GDUI members and friends!
Welcome to spring, nice weather and long walks with your guide dog!
It has been a challenging year dealing with the pandemic, isolation, lack of activity and keeping our guide dogs happy, healthy and keen on their training! Now we can grab the harness, leash and start traveling around again!
GDUI will be holding two candidate forums for members to meet the candidates before voting begins in May. The dates, time and Zoom information will be shared on the email lists.
The GDUI program committee is working hard on the 2021 virtual convention! A list of the programs will be announced shortly after the committee has finalized their schedule. I know for sure we will have the Guide Dog School Update! This is one of the favorite programs GDUI has each year. Don’t miss the update, it will be spectacular!
Please share with your fellow GDUI members your thoughts, adventures, traveling tips or anything you and your guide dog happen upon! You can post to the GDUI chat list; If you have a story, poem or a guide dog related article you want to have published in, “Paws for GDUI- News You Can Use” please send it to:
Lakota and I wish everyone very happy holidays and a wonderful spring!
Sarah Calhoun, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Announcement: (short notice) Audio Described Performance
Saturday, April 3 at 4 PM.
The American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) is presenting an of their live, online show, The Conjuror’s Club.
This multi-magician event is presented live, online, via Zoom. You don’t need any special equipment beyond a computer that is Zoom compatible. All description users will gather in one Zoom breakout room, where Cori Couture will provide description. Once you’ve booked your ticket, you will receive detailed instructions via email in the days leading up to the show.
Also, a recorded pre-show description will be available on the A.R.T. website toward the end of the week.
Tickets are $58 per Household, but to increase accessibility, a limited number of discounted tickets are available for $25 per household!
More About the Show… Join us for an intimate and interactive multi-magician experience, performed live nightly.
For the first time in 100 years, the secretive magic society, The Conjurors’ Club, pulls back the curtain for an interactive experience that redefines the face of modern magic. Take a front-row seat and immerse yourself in the arcane and mysterious with three different magicians. Physical distance can’t keep the amazing mind-reading, reality-bending illusions, and extraordinary transformations from reaching through the screen and directly into your home. As honorary members of the Club, you’ll receive your own secret package for use during your visit that is guaranteed to surprise and delight all of your senses—but you must promise to keep the secrets… (Visual details of the secret package and its contents will be included in the recorded pre-show description.)
Learn even more about the show, read reviews, and further explore the world of magic at:
Announcement: Dr. Nicholas Giudice and the VEMI Lab at the University of Maine are seeking input on their research to make autonomous vehicles (AVs) accessible and usable for blind and visually impaired people and older adults.
In their ‘AVs for all’ initiative, they will be conducting a range of studies, focus groups, and interviews and are seeking input, feedback, and guidance from blind and visually impaired folks on the research. This user-driven approach is critical to ensure that their work, and future AV development, is based on real needs and addresses actual concerns of blind and older adult end-users. As such, they invite you to become involved and hope you will consider signing up as a potential participant in their research.
If you are interested in participating in future research, you are invited to fill out the information intake survey at the URL below. Your data will be kept confidential and you will only be contacted when openings in experiments, focus groups, interviews, or other types of research become available in the future. We hope you make your voice heard and are willing to give your input. If interested, please fill out the voluntary intake survey at:
We are proud to present our next series of HumanWare Live webinars for the month of April. This month, it’s all about braille. Our experts, Andrew Flatres and Peter Tucic, will guide you through our Brailliant BI X series of braille displays and the benefits of using the BrailleNote Touch Plus for teaching blind students.
A discovery of our intelligent braille displays
Date: Tuesday, April 6th
Time: 8 PM (EST)
Intended for: Braille device users
During this webinar, you will gain an insight into product features and explore the software and hardware that set the new Brailliant BI 20X and the Brailliant BI 40X apart from any other stand-alone braille displays available today.
Teaching and monitoring the progress of students learning braille
Date: Thursday, April 8th
Time: 3 PM (EST)
ACVREP approved continuing education hour: 1 CE credit
Intended for: Teachers for the visually impaired, assistive technology specialists, parents, BrailleNote Touch Plus students and users.
This HumanWare Live webinar will focus on the Take Off Unified English Braille (UEB) curriculum that teachers can use to teach braille. Participants will learn how to use this free braille curriculum that is integrated into the BrailleNote Touch Plus via the Duxbury Learning Tables. Participants will then take a tour of the HumanWare Buddy App to learn how to track student progress through personalized and pre-determined lessons.
Announcement: Verizon Media Announces Media Donation for ACB and Other Disability Organizations
On Tuesday, March 23, 2021, Verizon Media announced that they will be donating $5 million in media to a number of disability organizations, including the American Council of the Blind (ACB). ACB is excited to further our mission driven brand and message through the generous support of Verizon Media. Along with other nonprofits committed to expanding opportunity and equality for individuals with disabilities, the advertising grant provided through Verizon Media will allow ACB to amplify the voices of persons with disabilities at a time when the hardships of social isolation born out of the global pandemic have reverberated throughout our community. We wish to thank Verizon Media for their continued support as ACB fosters voice, choice, and community for people who are blind and visually impaired. For more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2ev7juyu.
Announcement: ACB Quoted in WSJ Article on Accessible Currency
We thought you may find interesting an article published this Friday in the Wall Street Journal, which announced Britain’s newest tactile currency and reported on the U.S. Department of Treasury’s continued failure to provide accessible currency in the United States.
ACB’s own Executive Director Eric Bridges was quoted in the article, and we think it did an excellent job highlighting the issue we continue to struggle with in the U.S. as other countries move forward with recognizing the value in producing accessible currency for people who are blind and visually impaired.
We hope you, too, will enjoy the article, and please share through your own social networks if possible.
How do they do that? How do they audio describe a show?
Please pass along –
A unique opportunity for blind and low vision middle and high school students. Come and learn. For middle and high school students who are blind and low vision, learn a dance from the Nutcracker and the techniques to describe the dance.
Article: HBO Max Rolls Out Audio Described Content: Customers Who are Blind Will Notice Many New Features, With More on the Horizon
March 26, 2021 – Advocates for people who are blind applaud WarnerMedia’s first delivery date of significant upgrades in the landmark agreement signed last October by WarnerMedia; the American Council of the Blind (ACB); the Massachusetts-based Bay State Council of the Blind (BSCB); and individual claimants Kim and Brian Charlson. These blind individuals and advocacy organizations were represented by Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), a national non-profit legal center, and Disability Law Center, the Protection & Advocacy agency for Massachusetts.
WarnerMedia has pledged to increase the accessibility of HBO Max, and in the first phase of delivering on that promise, the streaming platform rolls out major enhancements this week, including:
Nearly 1,500 hours of audio described content on Web and Mobile platforms including select HBO originals, Max Originals, Warner Bros films, and some acquired content. Audio description is a separate audio track that, when activated, provides a verbal description of visual elements on screen. For more on audio description, visit ACB’s Audio Description Project.
An Audio Description category will be prominently featured in the navigation menu. This prominent browse location will also increase awareness about the importance of audio description and accessibility.
Improvements to the accessibility of the HBO Max website and mobile applications for individuals who are blind or have low vision and use screen reader software to navigate and interact with digital content. Screen reader software enables people who are blind or have low vision to access online services by rendering the content displayed visually on the screen as large print, synthetic text-to-speech, or as digital braille on a braille display. Programming for compatibility with these types of assistive technologies is something website and app developers need to keep in mind.
Addition of articles to the HBO Max help site specifically supporting customers with disabilities, including detailed instructions on how to perform certain tasks that may be unclear for some users.
Training for HBO Max customer service specialists to help them better support customers with disabilities, including sensitivity training and training on assistive technology.
Providing 1,500 hours of audio described content is a major commitment to access for WarnerMedia. Select programming released in the launch with audio description includes His Dark Materials, Genera+ion, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Dunkirk, Euphoria, Love Life, Sesame Street and many more titles.
WarnerMedia will continue building on these improvements in the months and years to come. Later this year, HBO Max plans to make audio description available across all supported Internet-connected TVs. Furthermore, audio description is now being created for all new HBO and Max Original programming, and customers can expect 3,000 hours of described content to be available by the end of March 2022, doubling again to at least 6,000 hours in total by the end of March 2023.
In addition, over the next few months, accessibility of the HBO Max website, mobile apps, and applications for supported Internet-connected TVs will continue to be improved for individuals who are blind or have low vision and use screen reader software to navigate and interact with digital content. While screen reader users may still experience difficulties with setting up an account following this week’s updates, those problems should be resolved in coming months.
Dan Spoone, President of the American Council of the Blind, commented, “This process has been extremely positive, and will open many doors for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to both enjoy what HBO Max has to offer in terms of entertainment and education, while also allowing our community to share equally with family and friends in the truly universal pastime of viewing television and movies. By working together to bring thousands of additional hours of audio description content to HBO Max, along with the improved accessibility of the website, mobile apps, and smart TV interfaces, WarnerMedia and blind advocates are providing meaningful access to a significant aspect of our modern-day world.”
“At HBO Max, our goal is to let storytelling take center stage, and for each and every subscriber to be able to enjoy world-class content, regardless of how they access the platform,” said Sarah Lyons, Executive Vice President, Direct-to-Consumer Global Product Management. “This month’s initial accessibility improvements are only the first of many steps we plan on taking to improve the experience for all users. We encourage continual consumer feedback, as it is critical to evolving the product and supporting all of our valued customers.”
Staff Attorney Meredith Weaver of Disability Rights Advocates said, “We are excited to see the fruits of WarnerMedia’s investment in accessibility over the last year and are encouraged by their demonstrated commitment to creating an exceptional experience for all customers.”
Tatum A. Pritchard of the Disability Law Center, said, “WarnerMedia’s commitment to these improvements is a welcome and significant step towards greater accessibility for people who are blind or visually impaired to streaming content that serves as an important source of both entertainment and information for our society.”
Blindness community members are encouraged to reach out to HBO Max customer service representatives with feedback and questions. The HBO Max Help Center has been made accessible and all feedback about audio description and screen reader access will make its way to HBO Max’s accessibility team to guide them in prioritizing their work.
Contacts
Meredith Weaver, Staff Attorney, Disability Rights Advocates: 510-665-8644, mweaver@dralegal.org
Tatum A. Pritchard, Director of Litigation, Disability Law Center: 617-723-8455,
Kim Charlson, Immediate Past President, American Council of the Blind: 617-501-5752, kimcharlson@acb.org
Article: Exciting News!!
The Helen Keller National Center is excited to announce:
FeelingThrough, the first film ever to star a deafblind actor has made the OSCARS shortlist in the category of best live action short film! It went from 179 films to the top five!
FeelingThrough is written and directed by Doug Roland. Doug worked with HKNC to produce the film. If you have not seen it already we invite you to enjoy the short 18-minute film. It is captioned for persons interested. Just click to watch!
Finally, “Connecting the Dot” is a short documentary that shares the story behind the scenes, the filmmaking in progress and authenticates the partnership between Doug Roland and the Helen Keller National Center. We invite you to enjoy the documentary, the link and password are below. This film is also captioned.
Finally, more exciting news. Award winning actress and producer Marlee Matlin has partnered with Doug Roland to produce a feature length film of FeelingThrough. More to come on this exciting development. You can find fascinating interviews and discussion every Friday by viewing the FeelingThrough FaceBook page. https://www.facebook.com/feelingthrough
Sincerely,
Sarah Calhoun, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Andrea Giudice, Editor
Penny Reeder, Co-editor and GDUI Immediate Past President
Here in Connecticut, March has come in like a lion and, one can hope, will go out like a lamb. While the wind howls and the temperatures make me glad for a parka, there is a new issue of “Paws for GDUI- News You Can Use” to enjoy along with a cup of tea or cocoa. Yes, if you are from one of those hot places you can make it an ice tea or a frozen “hot” chocolate.
This month we have announcements, sometime sensitive, interesting articles, information about open GDUI board positions (last article) and words from our president.
Sending cyber hugs and wags, Andrea and Mr. A
From the President: Greetings GDUI members and friends!
I hope this newsletter finds you well! We have been thinking about our Texas members and friends, everyone across the country who have suffered a terrible snowy winter, lack of water and electric for several days to weeks. Hopefully, our friends have been able to recover and return to their day to day living.
We hope you and your four-legged loveable furry guide dog celebrated a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Our dogs love getting that extra treat or toy to join in on the human special events! Don’t forget March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day! Think green!
GDUI has a busy schedule on our calendar with elections, Membership renewal and the 2021 virtual convention! To keep up to date, please visit the GDUI website at www.guidedogusersinc.org
Please consider running for a position on the board of directors. This is a wonderful way to get involved, learn more about GDUI and be a part of keeping this organization terrific!
Coming up soon will be an announcement of several exciting fundraising events! They will be announced on GDUI email lists, social media platforms and of course, our website!
Spring is just around the corner and we can begin to plan those enjoyable long walks outside with our guide dogs as we soak up the sun, get exercise and breathe the fresh air!
Lakota and I hope you and your families and friends are well! Hopefully this year will not be as challenging as last year.
From our house to your house, Lakota and I wish you and your guide dog many happy tails and trails!
Sarah Calhoun, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Announcement: March 10, GDUI Community Call
Getting a Guide Dog During COVID-19: PM ET, PM PT, PM HT
Thinking about getting your first or successor guide dog but unsure whether now might be the best time because of COVID-19? Come hear from clients of several guide dog schools who will share their experiences of training with new guides in these most unique of times.
To download all or any of my titles. To make this guide dog related, my memoir, Follow Your Dog a Story of Love and Trust, is free.
I hope you come along for the word journey with me and share this link, it’s only free from March 7 until March 13, 2021.
#smashwords #ebookweek21
Ann Chiappetta, Author
Announcement: Patient Safety Week Webinar by En-Vision America
March 18, 2021 11 am PT/PM ET
What does it take to Make Change Happen??? Join us during Patient Safety Week for a conversation about advocating for medical error prevention and effective communication at the pharmacy counter. This will be a great opportunity for anyone who is planning a visit to the hospital, patient advocates, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, English as a second language advocates, and anyone working a grassroots legislation campaign looking for ideas and encouragement!
Register today! Registration gives you access to the webinar the day of the event and the recorded version and resources afterward.
For information about 100 years of AFB and our ongoing series of Centennial Conversations, visit: afb.org/100
Announcement: Hadley presents – Painting Blind with Artist John Bramblitt
Painting Blind
We are so excited to welcome world-renowned artist John Bramblitt to the podcast! In this episode, John shares how vision loss has shaped his painting and his life.
A downloadable transcript is available on our site, hadley.edu.
App will help visually impaired, seniors enjoy ride-sharing with self-driving cars
Self-driving cars will offer access to ride-sharing and ride-hailing with their suite of modern conveniences. However, many people with visual impairments who use these services rely on a human driver to safely locate their vehicle.
A research group led by the Virtual Environments and Multimodal Interaction Laboratory (VEMI Lab) at the University of Maine is developing a smartphone app that provides the navigational assistance needed for people with disabilities and seniors to enjoy ride-sharing and ride-hailing, collectively termed mobility-as-a-service, with the latest in automotive technology. The app, known as the Autonomous Vehicle Assistant (AVA), can also be used for standard vehicles operated by human drivers and enjoyed by everyone.
AVA will help users request, find and enter a vehicle using a multisensory interface that provides guidance through audio and haptic feedback and high-contrast visual cues. The Autonomous Vehicle Research Group (AVRG), a cross institutional collective led by VEMI lab with researchers from Northeastern University and Colby College, will leverage GPS technology, real-time computer vision via the smartphone camera and artificial intelligence to support the functions offered through the app.
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $300,000 to AVRG for the AVA project through its Inclusive Design Challenge. The initiative sought proposals for design solutions that would help people with disabilities use autonomous vehicles for employment and essential services. AVRG was one of the semifinalists.
“This design challenge was exciting to us as it falls so squarely in our wheelhouse” says Nicholas Giudice, a professor of spatial Computing at UMaine. “We have worked in the areas of multimodal information access and navigation for visually impaired people and older adults for years, and have recently started a research program investigating human-vehicle collaborations for increasing the trustworthiness and accessibility of autonomous vehicles. This development project connects the dots by allowing us to bridge several areas of expertise to ensure that the technology of the future is ‘accessible for all.'”
Users will create a profile in AVA that reflects their needs and existing methods of navigation. The app will use the information from their profiles to find a suitable vehicle for transport, then determine whether one is available.
When the vehicle arrives, AVA will guide the user to it using the camera and augmented reality (AR), which provides an overlay of the environment using the smartphone by superimposing high-contrast lines over the image to highlight the path and verbal guidance, such as compass directions, street names, addresses and nearby landmarks. The app also will pinpoint environmental hazards, such as low-contrast curbs, by emphasizing them with contrasting lines and vibrating when users approach them. It will then help users find the door handle to enter the vehicle awaiting them.
“This is the first project of its kind in the country, and in combination with our other work in this area, we are addressing an end-to-end solution for AVs (autonomous vehicles) that will improve their accessibility for all,” says Giudice, chief research scientist at VEMI Lab and lead on the AVA project.
“Most work in this area only deals with sighted passengers, yet the under-represented driving populations we are supporting stand to benefit most from this technology and are one of the fastest growing demographics in the country.”
AVRG studies how autonomous vehicles can meet various accessibility needs. VEMI lab itself has explored tactics for improving consumer trust in this emerging technology.
AVA advances both groups’ endeavors by not only providing another means for people with visual impairments and other disabilities and seniors to access self-driving vehicles, but also increases their trust in them. The project also builds on a seed grant-funded, joint effort between UMaine and Northeastern University to improve accessibility, safety and situational awareness within the self-driving vehicle. Researchers from both universities aim to develop a new model of human-AI vehicle interaction to ensure people with visual impairments and seniors understand what the autonomous vehicle is doing and that it can sense, interpret and communicate with the passenger.
The app will offer modules that train users how to order and locate rides, particularly through mock pickup scenarios. Offering hands-on learning provides users confidence in themselves and the technology, according to researchers. It also gathers data AVRG can use during its iterative, ongoing development for AVA and its integration into autonomous vehicles.
“We are very excited about this opportunity to create accessible technology which will help the transition to fully autonomous vehicles for all. The freedom and independence of all travelers is imperative as we move forward,” says VEMI lab director Richard Corey.
VEMI Lab, co-founded by Corey and Giudice in 2008, explores different solutions for solving unmet challenges with technology. Prime areas of research and development pertain to self-driving vehicles, the design of bio-inspired tools to improve human-machine interaction and functionality, and new technology to improve environmental awareness, spatial learning and navigational wayfinding.
Article: Social distancing while blind takes dogged perseverance
Jake Koch works to socially distance during the pandemic with the help of a guide dog, white cane
Everyone has had to adapt at a rapid pace over the past year because of the COVID-19 crisis. Many adults are working from home while students school from home; many go-to pastimes are on pause and we’ve all had to learn to make masking and social distancing second nature.
But for those with visual impairment or blindness, social distancing is no easy task.
Jake Koch, Gresham resident and community outreach specialist for Guide Dogs for the Blind’s Boring campus, has experienced this first-hand. Even with his guide dog, Koch, who has bilateral microphthalmia — a physical disorder of the eyes, resulting in small, partially developed eyes, which renders him legally blind — Koch says he sometimes has to rely on other people to help him keep his distance.
“Apart from being a professional in the industry, I do also travel with a guide dog and am visually impaired myself,” Koch explained. Koch travels with a 6-year-old black lab named Forli. “Pretty quickly, I realized that (socially distancing would be a challenge). I’m an avid traveler. I travel both for work and for pleasure, whether it’s local, regional, national, so I’m out and about. I’m an extrovert. I enjoy being out and about in the city and around friends and in public places, so at first it was a bit overwhelming. (At first) nobody really knew anything about the novel coronavirus, including myself.”
What also became quickly and overwhelmingly apparent was that guide dogs would not be able to perceive all of the safety precautions humans have in place during the pandemic.
“In the past 10 months of traveling through public spaces, what I’ve learned is the dogs, unfortunately, don’t understand the concept of social distancing,” Koch said. “I think the primary reason for that, in my personal and professional opinion, is social distancing is a social construct; it’s a social norm. It’s not black and white; it’s not factual like a curb or a set of stairs that are really obvious (obstacles that signal) you need to stop here or you’re going to get hurt. The way a dog perceives social constructs is they go ‘what is the safest, easiest path of least resistance that I can get my handler and myself through the environment.'”
“Our guide dogs don’t understand directional arrows, signage and taped-off measurements to ensure social distancing, and our white canes don’t feel them,” added Dorianne Pollack, alumni board member for Guide Dogs for the Blind. “Unlike sighted people who have learned to navigate in a socially distanced world, we’ve been left to fend for ourselves.”
An added challenge that makes navigating social spaces during the pandemic even more difficult for those with visual impairment, is because everything has evolved so quickly, yet the ADA hasn’t been able to catch up. This has led to inconsistencies in markings and signs for distancing in public places like grocery stores and to Koch, seeking supplemental ways to better get around and safely.
“I’ve ended up taking a hybrid approach,” Koch said, explaining that he has been using both Forli and a white cane to navigate. While guide dogs see and avoid objects, white canes can help the user detect and avoid would-be obstacles and people. This way, Koch has the dog to get him to his destination and the cane helps him orient himself to other people.
“The average cane offers 4 to 5 feet of detectable space,” Koch explained. To achieve 6 feet of separation, he added, sometimes he will simply ask someone around him if he is distanced enough. He also always wears a mask for safety when he has to be in public places.
For the most part though, like many who are immunocompromised, have other conditions that make them at greater risk or are simply trying to help slow the spread, Koch has grown accustomed to using things like grocery delivery instead of shopping in the store. He has also taken to walking, when he can, to avoid public transportation where it is harder to make sure others are keeping their distance.
“The people moving around me is where it gets tricky,” Koch said.
In “normal” times, Koch says he typically gets quite a few people who come up to him and want to pet Forli, offer help or ask questions. Nowadays, while petting Forli is discouraged, Koch said: “Pandemic or not, if anybody wants to help, I appreciate people asking: ‘May I assist you?’ and self-identifying.”
Koch explains that while saying “How can I help you?” tends to sound somewhat ableist, implying the person with visual impairment needs help, asking “May I assist you?” is a more empowering offer of help.
Folks who wish to help someone with visual impairment in public spaces might be of assistance by kindly approaching the person and saying “I just wanted to inform you that you aren’t six feet away. May I help you?” Use specific directions such as “take two steps left” and never touch the person.
At Guide Dogs for the Blind, staff have worked very hard to ensure clients who must visit are safe and also offer guidance and assistance to their 2,200 graduates out navigating similar circumstances to Koch.
“We use video conferencing to help navigate people,” Koch explained. He added that Guide Dogs for the Blind has also partnered with the ‘Be My Eyes’ app, which offers assistance to those with visual impairment to do everyday things like reading labels and navigating.
“My normal is managing my blindness in a sighted world,” said Guide Dogs for the Blind client Bruce Gilmour. “However, COVID-19 has imposed big changes and adjustments to my normal. Aspects such as curbside pick-ups, online ordering, social distancing, language barriers, using touch to see in a no touch world, knowing where to stand appropriately at a transit stop, etc., have challenged my normal. Consequently, daily affairs developed around being independent and self-reliant have resulted in isolation, increased anxiety, and some really compromising scenarios where the public have lacked a complete sense of civility. Yes, indeed, we are all in this pandemic together which has put a lot of pressure on the nice values of normal like being kind, calm, and patient.”
“Change is hard for everybody,” Koch said. “Things changed very quickly. I think that’s what was very overwhelming. Be kind, be compassionate and offer assistance if it is needed. Also, feel free to step back or forward (from a person with visual impairment) to keep distance.”
Article: GDUI is SEEKING NOMINATIONS
GDUI 2021 Election Announcement
Do you know someone who has made significant contributions to dog guides and their handlers? Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) wants to hear from you.
Each year at its annual convention with the American Council of the Blind (ACB), GDUI recognizes three outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the lives of guide dog teams through their dedication, work, advocacy, and support. Each award is given to honor the individuals for which they are named, and to recognize the outstanding recipient of the year.
The Ethel Bender Award. This award is presented each year to honor a sighted person who has provided significant service to the cause of enhancing the well-being of the guide dog and handler community.
The Moffitt-Gleitz Award. The Moffitt-Gleitz Award is presented to a person who is blind and has significantly contributed to the well-being of the guide dog handling community, and who by his or her contributions, has earned the gratitude and recognition of Guide Dog Users, Inc.
The Lieberg-Metz Award. This award recognizes an individual who has advance the well-being of guide dog and handler teams through the writings or media presentations.
If you know someone whom you believe is deserving of such recognition, please submit your nomination to Margie Donovan, Awards Committee Chair at margie.donovan1@outlook.com, no later than April 1, 2021. Please put in the subject line “GDUI Award Nomination”. If you need assistance in writing your nomination, you may contact Margie as well.
Your nomination should include the following information:
The name of the award you are nominating for.
Give the person’s name and contact information that you wish to nominate, and the reason why you believe he/she is deserving of an award.
All nominations should be no more than 350 words.
Article: Announcing the GDUI 2021 Elections
Interested candidates should submit an application, resume and cover letter to the Nominations Committee Chair, Margie Donovan at elections@guidedogusersinc.org by the deadline of March 31, 2021
The 2021 GDUI Elections will commence on Saturday, May 29 at 12:01 a.m. EDT and run through Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
GDUI is seeking candidates for the following positions in our upcoming 2021 elections.
1 Interim Secretary ending in 2022
1 Interim Director ending in 2022
2 Director Seats (3-Year Term) ending in 2024
The two open director positions will be filled by the two candidates who receive the largest and second-largest number of votes for director. The Interim Director position will be filled by the candidate receiving the third-largest number of votes for director.
GDUI members in good standing are eligible to run for a position on the GDUI Board. Interested candidates should submit an application, resume and cover letter to the Nominations Committee Chair, Margie Donovan at elections@guidedogusersinc.org by the deadline of March 31, 2021.
The information supplied within the cover letter, application and resume will be shared with the GDUI members eligible to vote in this election.
GDUI members who have paid their dues by this year’s record date of April 9, 2021 will be eligible to vote in the upcoming elections.
GDUI is proud of our universally accessible voting system in which each member of GDUI is entitled to a voice in the election of our GDUI Board.
If you have not renewed your membership, now is the time to do so. An at-large membership in GDUI costs $25.00 per person per year. Dues may be paid online by going to https://guidedogusersinc.org/join/, by credit card by calling 1-866-799-8436 or by mailing your check to the above address and made payable to GDUI.
Important dates to remember:
In order to be eligible to vote in the 2021 GDUI election your 2021 GDUI dues must have been received on or before the record date of April 9, 2021.
We will hold two Candidate Forums prior to the election. Phone numbers for these calls will be publicized closer to the dates.
Candidate Forum 1. Thursday, May 6, 2021 7:30 p.m. EDT
Candidate Forum 2. Saturday, May 15, 2021 1:00 p.m. EDT
Between the dates of April 1, 2021 and April 15, 2021, we encourage members to submit questions for your candidates. Please submit your questions to the Nominations Chair, Margie Donovan at elections@guidedogusersinc.org and include “Candidates Forum” in the subject line of your message.
Election period: Saturday, May 29 12:01 a.m. EDT through Sunday, June 6, 2021 11:59 p.m. EDT
Amendments: Any questions relating to Constitutional Amendments should be sent to Maria Hansen at Byalaws@guidedogusersinc.org by March 15, 2021.
Application for Candidacy:
GDUI has three major responsibilities:
To promote the acceptance of guide dog teams by all agencies, employers, educational institutions, commercial establishments, and the general public;
To work for the expansion, standardization, and enforcement of legal provisions, both civil and criminal, governing the rights and responsibilities of guide dog users in the areas of public access, employment, housing, personal injury to dog and handler, transportation, and recreation; and
To work in cooperation with guide dog training providers by contributing constructive input concerning selection, training, health care, and accommodations for both canine and human students, and providing constructive suggestions that will improve the quality of the training experience.
With these goals in mind, please answer the following questions.
Date:
Position for which you wish to be a candidate:
Applicant’s Name:
Street Address:
City/State/zip code:
Phone numbers:
Home:
Cell:
E-mail Address:
Are you a guide dog user?
Describe your background (Educational, occupational and general experience).
Why do you wish to serve on the GDUI Board?
Which of your skills and experiences would most support Board activities? Please describe a time when a group of which you were a part accomplished its goal(s).
What caused the group to be successful? How did you contribute to this success?
The GDUI Board of Directors uses e-mail to communicate with one another. Are you able to communicate effectively using this medium and do you have access to e-mail?
The GDUI Board of Directors meets every other month by telephone. Meetings last from two to three hours. Other ad hoc telephonic meetings are sometimes called as well.
Board Members are often asked to chair and serve on committees and perform tasks on behalf of GDUI as directed by the officers and committee chairpersons. Will you be able to find time to perform the tasks described above?
Candidates, please note: Your cover letter, application and resume will be sent in its entirety to the GDUI members eligible to vote in this election.
GDUI Officer and Director Position Descriptions
All GDUI officers and Directors must:
Be willing and able to participate in regularly scheduled meetings and e-mail discussions.
Always act in a dignified manner and interact respectfully with fellow directors and Officers and agree to abide by GDUI’s current code of conduct for board members.
Work as a team member to maintain and protect GDUI and its mission.
Become well versed with GDUI’s By-Laws.
Respect the authority of the GDUI By-Laws and work within their guidance and the requirements of the GDUI Articles of Incorporation.
Be a collaborative participant in the democratic process–respecting the outcome of votes of the membership and votes of the board.
Possess sufficient computer skills to participate in e-mail work.
Be flexible for scheduling meeting times. (The GDUI Board meets by phone conference bi-monthly for two or more hours, with committee meetings or other special meetings scheduled separately.)
Responsibilities and criteria for GDUI Secretary Position
The GDUI Secretary must be willing and able to accept the legal, fiduciary and ethical responsibilities of an organizational secretary, in accordance with standard nonprofit practices and procedures.
The Secretary must:
Record (in document-form) meeting minutes for business meetings of the GDUI Board of Directors.
Arrange for the audio-recording of meetings if it is the secretary’s desire to take minutes from an audio-recording.
Possess thorough and quick note-taking skills in case an audio-recording of a meeting fails.
Have the ability to use notes, memory, and/or recordings to reproduce accurate accounts of meetings for minutes.
Use writing skills and discretion to summarize (or write in detail when appropriate) to create informative meeting minutes.
Submit drafts of meeting minutes in time frames which allow other board members to submit suggestions/corrections before a final draft is submitted for approval/ acceptance at the subsequent board meeting.
Send minutes and attachments to the Web Master for posting to the GDUI Web Site.
Assist GDUI by researching and reproducing content from previous minutes as is practical.
The secretary is expected to attend all board meetings. If the Secretary is unable to attend a board meeting, after informing the President, the Secretary will arrange for a competent recorder for the meeting which the Secretary will miss.
The Secretary may not miss three (3) or more meetings in any twelve month period without being excused.
Responsibilities and criteria for GDUI Board of Director position
Each member of the GDUI Board of Directors must be willing and able to accept the legal, fiduciary and ethical responsibilities of an organizational director, in accordance with standard nonprofit practices and procedures.
Board members are expected to attend all board meetings.
Members of the GDUI Board of Directors shall inform the President, in advance, if unable to attend a particular board meeting.
A GDUI board member shall not miss three (3) or more meetings in any twelve-month period without being excused.
A majority of Board members will be guide dog users.
GDUI Code of Ethics – revised June 20, 2017 Code of Ethics of Guide Dog Users, Inc. This board of directors code of ethics was adopted by the Guide Dog Users, Inc. Board of Directors on June 20, 2017.
Preamble:
Guide Dog Users, Inc., (hereinafter, “GDUI”) or “organization” is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization formed to promote, develop, educate, and otherwise further the guide dog team community as listed in its Articles of incorporation and bylaws. GDUI’s principal membership class consists of individuals and affiliates engaged in advocacy, legislative and civil rights. The business of the organization is managed under the direction of the GDUI board of directors. The board’s code of ethics serves as a code of conduct for organization volunteers in their capacity as board members. Code violations may result in sanctions imposed under the Procedures for Review of Board Member Conduct. The principles and requirements that comprise the code and procedures are based on and are designed to ensure full compliance by GDUI and its officers, directors, and volunteers with the fiduciary duties imposed on such individuals by Washington, D.C. non-profit code, the federal tax code’s prohibition on private inurement and private benefit, and other requirements of federal tax exemption, common law due process requirements, federal and state antitrust and unfair competition law, state tort law, and other legal precepts and prohibitions. At the same time, the code and procedures are not designed to supplant courts of law in the resolution of disputes within non-profits. Moreover, the checks and balances built into the code and procedures are designed to strike the proper balance between ensuring full compliance with the legal obligations described here and ensuring the integrity and efficacy of the code on the one hand and, on the other, the protection of board members, through the use of reasonable due process procedures, against patently false, malicious, or groundless accusations that could result in significant business or personal harm if not properly handled. Members of the board affirm their endorsement of the code and acknowledge their commitment to uphold its principles and obligations by accepting and retaining membership on the board.
Board of Directors Code of Ethics
Members of the board (including ex officio members of the board) shall at all times abide by and conform to the GDUI bylaws and the following code of conduct in their capacity as board members:
Each member of the board of directors will abide in all respects by the GDUI Members’ Code of Ethics and all other rules and regulations of the organization (including but not limited to the organization’s articles of incorporation and bylaws) and will ensure that their membership (or the membership of the entity for which they serve as officer, director, employee, or owner, as the case may be) in the organization remains in good standing at all times. Furthermore, each member of the board of directors will at all times obey all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and will provide or cause to provide the full cooperation of the organization when requested to do so by those institutions and their persons set in authority as are required to uphold the law.
Members of the board of directors will conduct the business affairs of the organization in good faith and with honesty, integrity, due diligence, and reasonable competence.
Except as the board of directors may otherwise require or as otherwise required by law or the organization’s bylaws, no board member or member subscribed to the Board list shall share, copy, reproduce, transmit, divulge or otherwise disclose any confidential information related to the affairs of the organization and each member of the board will uphold the strict confidentiality of all meetings and other deliberations and communications of the board of directors.
Members of the board of directors will exercise proper authority and good judgment in their dealings with organization members, suppliers, and the general public and will respond to the needs of the organization’s members in a responsible, respectful, and professional manner.
No member of the board of directors will use any information provided by the organization or acquired as a consequence of the board member’s service to the organization in any manner other than in furtherance of his or her board duties. Further, no member of the board of directors will misuse organization property or resources and will at all times keep the organization’s property secure and not allow any person not authorized by the board of directors to have or use such property.
Each member of the board of directors will use his or her best efforts to regularly participate in professional development activities and will perform his or her assigned duties in a professional and timely manner pursuant to the board’s direction and oversight.
Upon termination of service, a retiring board member will promptly return to the organization all documents, electronic and hard files, reference materials, and other property entrusted to the board member for the purpose of fulfilling his or her job responsibilities. Such return will not abrogate the retiring board member from his or her continuing obligations of confidentiality with respect to information acquired as a consequence of his or her tenure on the board of directors.
The board of directors dedicates itself to leading by example in serving the needs of the organization and its members and also in representing the interests and ideals of the guide dog user community at large.
No member of the board of directors shall persuade or attempt to persuade any employee of the organization to leave the employ of the organization or to become employed by any person or entity other than the organization. Furthermore, no member of the board of directors shall persuade or attempt to persuade any member, exhibitor, advertiser, sponsor, subscriber, supplier, contractor, or any other person or entity with an actual or potential relationship to or with the organization to terminate, curtail, or not enter into its relationship to or with the organization, or to in any way reduce the monetary or other benefits to the organization of such relationship.
The board of directors must act at all times in the best interests of the organization and not for personal or third-party gain or financial enrichment. When encountering potential conflicts of interest, board members will identify the conflict and, as required, remove themselves from all discussion and voting on the matter. Specifically, board members shall follow these guidelines: o Avoid placing (and avoid the appearance of placing) one’s own self-interest or any third-party interest above that of the organization; while the receipt of incidental personal or third-party benefit may necessarily flow from certain organization activities, such benefit must be merely incidental to the primary benefit to the organization and its purposes; o Do not abuse board membership by improperly using board membership or the organization’s volunteers, services, equipment, resources, or property for personal or third-party gain or pleasure; board members shall not represent to third parties that their authority as a board member extends any further than that which it actually extends; o Do not engage in any outside business, professional or other activities that would directly or indirectly materially adversely affect the organization; o Do not engage in or facilitate any discriminatory or harassing behavior directed toward organization staff, members, officers, directors, meeting attendees, exhibitors, advertisers, sponsors, suppliers, contractors, or others in the context of activities relating to the organization; o Do not solicit or accept gifts, gratuities, free trips, honoraria, personal property, or any other item of value from any person or entity as a direct or indirect inducement to provide special treatment to such donor with respect to matters pertaining to the organization without fully disclosing such items to the board of directors; and o Provide goods or services to the organization as a paid vendor to the organization only after full disclosure to, and advance approval by, the board, and pursuant to any related procedures adopted by the board.
Respectfully Submitted,
The GDUI Nominations Committee
Margie Donovan (Chair)
Robert Acosta
Dixie Sanderson
Sincerely,
Sarah Calhoun, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Andrea Giudice, Editor
Penny Reeder, Co-editor and GDUI Immediate Past President
Here we are mostly through month one of 2021 and things may not seem all that different from the end of 2020, however, I feel rays of sunshine through the clouds. First, while not a perfect execution, vaccines are available. Next, within the first three weeks of this newly minted year 2 very cool things occurred. A palindromic date (12021) was followed immediately by the 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st century… I say that is good mojo! Speaking of good mojo, I have a personal story to share. It goes to the point that we never know how when or where a chance encounter, conversation, or comment will be the small pebble that makes a big ripple. A few years ago, I spent an afternoon with the mother-in-law of a dear friend. She, the mother-in-law, is from England, and, after acting as my sighted guide for an outing to a local coffee shop, upon returning to her home across the pond she made Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA) her special charity. When she recently shared this with me, it brought tears to my eyes. I have always understood that sharing my experiences with others may increase awareness, however, this example is so personal and direct an illustration of such.
Now, read on for a message from our fabulous, lady president, interesting announcements and cool articles. Keep your leash loose and your shoulders back!
Sending cyber hugs and wags, Andrea and Mr. A
From the President: Hello GDUI members and friends!
I want to wish both two and four legged GDUI members and friends a very happy and healthy New Year!
We have already stepped into 2021; the Covid vaccine is being distributed and spring is just around the corner, giving us hope and encouragement that we may slowly regain a bit of normalcy one step at a time.
GDUI held an informative community call on revised Aircraft Carrier Access Act (ACAA), along with the two attestation forms developed by the Department of Transportation (DOT), traveling by air with a service animal. Other informative community calls are in the planning process. If you have any suggestions, or would like to get involved with a community call, please send me an email at: president@guidedogusersinc.org
This year GDUI will have a few director positions open to serve on the board of directors. Please consider volunteering- apply and help GDUI continue to grow! After all, this organization has grown to our current size through the actions and volunteerism of guide dog handlers like you injecting your personal experience, knowledge and voice in building GDUI to where it is today. New ideas, experiences and personalities will ensure GDUI continues to grow!
Please remember to renew your membership! You can either renew on line by visiting the GDUI website at:
Enter on “Join” and follow the directions. Or, you can call the GDUI office at:
(866) 799-8436
I sincerely thank everyone for your involvement in GDUI, your support and membership in forming this organization; making it a friendly and knowledgeable place for anyone to learn about the guide dog community. It is wonderful to be surrounded by friends who have the same interest in being partnered with a guide dog and the unique experiences we encounter. I extend my gratitude to everyone for taking the step of sharing your time and friendship with others across America, and around the world. Speaking openly and honestly of everything from the love and fondness you feel toward your guide to pick-up bags! Thank you for being a part of GDUI!
Valentine’s Day will be here in a few days and we can look forward to sharing friendship and love with those around us. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day, eat something sweet and share the celebration with others. Reaching out to someone may make a difference in uplifting their spirits!
From my house to yours, Warmest regards,
Sarah Calhoun & Lakota
GDUI President
Announcement: Starting February 4 – An Accessible Virtual Ballet Class
This February, Fall In Love With Dance!
All are Welcome to Join
Have you always wanted to take a ballet class but couldn’t find one that was accessible? Well, now is the time! MindsEye is proud to partner with Vitality in Motion to offer a virtual beginners’ ballet class with audio description! This is a fun and adaptive beginner ballet class for adults of all ages and abilities led by Vanessa Woods, owner of Vitality In Motion. Vanessa is a former professional dancer with the Saint Louis Ballet and brings her adaptive virtual ballet classes to adults across the country through her work with Vitality In Motion. Learn a new skill and have a fun workout, right from home, in this inclusive virtual ballet class. You will focus on learning the traditional arm and feet positions of ballet along with flowing steps and stretches all set to beautiful music. Ballet is great for posture, stretching, coordination, strengthening and can be an inspiring outlet to explore artistic movement of the body.
You can track your progression over four classes on Thursday evenings, February 4, 11, 18, and 25th from 6 to 6:30PM in the comfort of your own home via Zoom. A MindsEye audio describer who is knowledgeable in dance will provide open audio description to assist as needed. This four-session class is offered at no cost to individuals who are blind or visually impaired and their allies.
Important: Space is limited, so be sure to register here:
This free class is made possible through a grant from the Arts and Education Council Arts and Healing Initiative.
Announcement: From the Goddess of the ACB Convention…
Janet Dickelman
Dates and theme for the 2021 ACB virtual Conference and Convention
ACB – Better Together Wherever we are
July 16th through July 23rd.
Due to the timing of the 2021 Olympics, the Convention dates have been moved forward a week to enable convention attendees to enjoy the Primetime Olympics broadcasts in Audio Description.
Please feel free to contact Janet with any questions either via phone (651) 428-5059 or email
A new way to make Valentine’s day a “touching” holiday!
Get Ready for Valentine’s Day!
Don’t monkey around! This delightful print/braille card is a perfect way to tell your friends how special they are.
This year’s Valentine features a cute turtle telling his adorable chimp friend, “You’re chimply the best!” On the back of the card is a “braille decoder” to help friends and family read the message in braille.
The print/braille Valentines are the perfect way to promote braille among family, friends, and classmates.
20 print/braille Valentines plus envelopes: $12 Large Packs: 32 print/braille Valentines plus envelopes: $15
Announcement: More from NBP
Helping Teachers of the Visually Impaired
This has been a hard year for teachers, and we’re more aware than ever of the minimal resources both teachers and their students have access to. When it comes to teachers of blind or visually impaired students (TVIs), the lack of resources is even more apparent.
National Braille Press is looking to develop a new program that will provide braille resources directly to TVIs but we need your help to determine which resources are needed most!
We want to hear from:
TVIs
Orientation & Mobility Instructors
Paraprofessionals
Classroom Teachers
Anyone who works with blind or visually impaired students.
Your feedback is critical to helping us develop a new program! Please take the time to share your experience by completing this brief survey, and sharing it with others:
Photo Caption: The Lunar New Year tactile greeting card, a red and yellow Chinese lantern with the words Happy New Year in English and Braille
Are you ready to celebrate the first day of the new year? Lunar New Year that is.
Lunar New Year is the beginning of a calendar year where the months are cycles of the moon and is celebrated in many East and South Asian countries. In San Francisco, where LightHouse is headquartered, Lunar New Year has been celebrated by the Chinese American community since the 1860s. There are twelve Chinese Zodiac signs, each one being an animal. Each lunar year is assigned an animal in a repeating twelve-year cycle. This Lunar New Year, which falls on February 12 on the Gregorian calendar, is the Year of the Ox. The ox symbolizes attributes such as confidence and determination.
On the front is a Red Paper Lantern with red tassels, emblazoned in gold with the Chinese character “fu” (meaning good fortune). The card reads “Happy New Year” on the front, and “Wishing you happiness and good fortune” on the inside. The card is 5.5 by 8.5 inches and comes with an envelope.
Haven’t heard about the Holman Prize yet? Here’s more info.
Now in its fifth year, the Holman Prize for Blind Ambition annually awards up to $25,000 each to three blind people from around the world with incredible ideas that will shatter misconceptions about blindness worldwide. We are thrilled to announce this year that one of the $25,000 prizes is sponsored by one of our close partners, Waymo https://lighthouse-sf.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f40e17a83bbae60b5969a0798&id=46b1d40d93&e=d4dd5f649a>.
The Holman Prize named after James Holman, a blind 19th century explorer who is the most prolific private traveler of anyone, blind or sighted, before the era of modern transportation.
The only qualifications for the Holman Prize are that you must be blind (including legally blind and partially sighted) and that you must be 18 years old by October 1, 2021.
But if you’re not quite ready to upload your 90-second YouTube pitch and fill out the application, there’s no need to worry; applications close on March 14 at 11:59 pm Pacific.
Check out our Holman Prize frequently asked questions
From the Editor: This newsletter, LightHouse Lately, may be from an organization based in San Francisco, however, it contains treasures that are not so local! This weekly newsletter highlights upcoming LightHouse events and classes plus the latest trends in technology, advocacy and other issues of interest to our community.
The January episode of the GDUI Juno report is now airing on ACB Radio Mainstream, see schedule below.
This month we feature content from ACB’s Advocacy call regarding implementation of the newly adopted regulations on air travel and service animals. This informative presentation will bring you up to date with what is known about how airlines will implement the regulations. Stay tuned for more updates as well.
The GDUI Juno report airs on ACB Radio Mainstream on:
Thursdays— 4 and 7 AM/PM;
Sunday — 9PM;
Monday— 12AM, 9AM, and 12PM.
The podcast will be available mid-month. A direct link to the podcast feed is:
Ask Alexa or Siri to play the GDUI Juno report podcast. Note that for this to work on your I device, you must have apple Podcasts installed, but you do not have to be subscribed to listen.
Announcement: now available: A book by one of our members.
Fifty Years of Walking with Friends
by: DeAnna Quietwater Noriega
C 2021
In e-book and print from Amazon, Smashwords, and other online sellers. 271 pages in print.
Announcement: Very interesting research study seeking participants
I am a PhD researcher at the Queen Mary University of London. I am investigating and designing auditory overviews of routes for planning a journey for blind and visually impaired users. As part of my PhD research, I am conducting a web-based study to investigate the strategies behind route choices made by blind and visually impaired individuals when planning for a journey and also determining whether my system is useful for this. I would like to invite you to participate in my study. The study is completely online, with no physical contact at all. It will take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours and conducted over Zoom. There will be a £20 compensation for your time. An information sheet for the study is included as an attachment.
If you are interested in participating, please contact me at n.aziz@qmul.ac.uk
From the editor: I participated in this study and found the concept intriguing.
Article: AccessAbility Works
Kirk Adams, Leading the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Into Its Next 100 Years.
Friends, We are happy to report that there is another episode of AccessAbility Works—a podcast about the possibilities of accessibility for people with disabilities.
In this episode, titled Kirk Adams, Leading the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Into Its Next 100 Years. You will meet someone who is not just an accomplished leader, but a trusted friend and colleague. Learn about his childhood growing up as a person who happened to be blind and how he adapted and overcame obstacles he confronted daily. Kirk also shares his plans for the AFB’s next 100 years.
AccessAbility Works is a podcast that advocates for authentic inclusion and digital equity —ensuring that organizations’ digital offerings, websites, mobile apps, and work environments are accessible and usable to people of all abilities. We are passionate about the importance of positioning Ability alongside Race, Gender, Orientation and Religion in both our social and corporate cultures. We discuss the value of true inclusion and how maximizing the full use and functionality of digital platforms and technologies makes good business sense.
Through interviews with thought leaders, advocates, and industry experts, we make the business case for digital equity and how it can be a win/win for corporate America in addition to just being the right thing to do.
If you have a topic of interest for the show or know someone you would like to see join us on AccessAbility Works, write us at podcast@MyBlindSpot.org. Don’t forget, you can download or subscribe to AccessAbility Works podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or you can go to https://myblindspot.org/accessabilityworks and listen there too.
Be sure to keep an ear out for our next podcast featuring the unstoppable Caroline Casey, if you’re not charmed by her lilting Irish accent, you’ll be inspired by her amazing story and drive to make the world more accessible for people of all abilities.
Article: Ice cream for dogs? Even pets are eating their pandemic feelings.
Ben & Jerry’s debuts super-premium ice cream treats for dogs
By: Laura Reiley
Jan. 15, 2021
(excerpted from
Ben & Jerry’s announced the debut of Doggie Desserts. Rosie’s Batch was named after precious, pup, Rosie, who lives with Sarah from Ben & Jerry’s consumer insights department.
We’ve reached peak pet. There’s really nowhere else to go. Animal shelters are out of dogs. Tech conventions are debuting cat exercise equipment and, more creepily, headless, robotic lap cats with very swishy tails.
How do we know we’ve planted our flag at the pinnacle of pet obsession? One of the best-known premium ice cream companies has gone to the dogs. Ben & Jerry’s this week announced the debut of Doggie Desserts: four-ounce cups of mostly nondairy frozen treats, one featuring pumpkin with cookies and another with peanut butter and pretzels. It’s nondairy because some dogs, like some people, don’t tolerate lactose well; the base is sunflower seed butter, the same as Ben & Jerry’s nondairy frozen confections for humans. And therein is the essence. During the pandemic, ice cream sales have surged. Over the 52 weeks ending Sept. 6, in-home ice cream expenditures were up 13.4 percent and unit sales increased by 8.4 percent, according to data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI.
Creamy, frozen treats have provided succor during these difficult times. And we want man’s best friend to be right there with us on the couch, eating our feelings.
A spice boom has left manufacturers scrambling, and packaging materials can’t keep up
The urge to anthropomorphize and accessorize the animals we live with has gained steam. Between 2013 and 2019, pet stuff has been one of the fastest-growing spending categories, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Surveys. In 2013, we spent about the same on our pets ($57.8 billion) as we did on alcohol ($55.8 billion). By 2019, we spent $13.5 billion more on our pets than on alcohol: $90 billion to alcohol’s $76.5 billion. We also spent more than twice as much on our pets as we did on major appliances, fresh fruit or tobacco products that year. Spending on dog treats alone has jumped 44 percent from 2015 to 2020, with pet owners spending $5.5 billion on them last year, according to data firm Euromonitor.
This is not news to Ben & Jerry’s, and its parent company, Unilever, a titan in the ice cream business. (Its brands dominate the freezer aisle: Magnum, Breyers, Klondike, Talenti, Good Humor and Popsicle.) There have been ice creams for dogs in the past — Frosty Paws, Pooch Creamery, Dairy Queen offers a Pup Cup and Starbucks whips up Puppuccinos so you can watch them scoot the cup around the floor — but this represents the first nonhuman foray into the “super-premium” category. Lindsay Bumps, global marketing specialist for Ben & Jerry’s and a certified veterinary nurse, says the idea for the product surfaced last February, right before the pandemic reached the United States. We have too much beer (and soda, and seltzer), and not enough cans. “Treats are such a big category. I might go to the vet with my dog and he did so great I want to take him for a Pup Cup,” she said (companion: a French bulldog named Spock). “It normally takes about 12 months to launch a product, but we had to adjust our ways of working, because we all started working from home.” Nonetheless, the project entailed a flavor guru (her companion: a Great Pyrenees named Boone who prefers the pumpkin flavor), the innovation team, a nutrition consultant, a regulatory consultant and lengthy negotiations over flavors and size. Then there was the focus-grouping: According to Bumps, in ordinary times, the Ben & Jerry’s Vermont headquarters has an average of 40 “Canine to Fivers” on premise any given day. Still, these work-from-home dogs weighed in. Cat owners are restive now. What about us? According to Bumps, dogs have receptors for sweet like humans, while cats do not. Sweet feline folderol would be lost on them.
Bumps suggests trying the product out slowly on pooches, scooping a little into a bowl to see how it is digested. There are no verboten ingredients, such as chocolate or coffee, but it’s still a good idea to take it slow. She says more flavors will probably be added down the pike. The treats — offered in mini-cups or multipacks priced between $2.99 and $4.99 — will debut next week but won’t be located in the B & J section next to Cherry Garcia or Chunky Monkey. They will be in the frozen “novelties” section next to bars and ice cream sandwiches. Might a human eat them by mistake? “They are very clearly for dogs, with dog tags for the flavor names,” Bumps says, and the stories of the flavors’ namesakes, Ben & Jerry’s staff dogs Pontch and Rosie, on the back. But what if you accidentally grabbed a cup for yourself? “You can absolutely eat them. I’ve tried,” Bumps says. “They are delicious.”
From the Editor: Mr. A says he needs this for Valentine’s day, our anniversary, or simply just because!
Article: The American Council of the Blind’s Audio Description Project
Announces Call for Nominations for the Thirteenth Annual ADP Awards-2021
The Audio Description Project (ADP) is a wide-ranging audio description promotion and production initiative with goals that include-
– building advocacy on behalf of audio description;
– offering a range of educational resources and working to establish nationally acknowledged user-focused guidelines for quality description in its various genres as well as a professionally recognized certification program for audio describers;
– encouraging growth of audio description with an emphasis on the involvement of AD users/consumers, especially youth;
– disseminating information on audio description and provide general support for regional, state, and local forums;
– encouraging studies on audio description particularly with respect to its efficacy as a technique for conveying visual images and its impact on literacy for children and others.
We urge you to recognize someone who has contributed significantly to the growth of audio description. Submitting a nomination is easy! It’s a three-step process:
Winners announced during a plenary general session of the American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention in July 2021 (the 2021 Conference and Convention sessions will be held virtually via ZOOM and also broadcast on ACB Radio).
This year’s ADP Awards include a call for nominations in nine categories:
– Achievement in Audio Description – Media / Organizations
– Achievement in Audio Description – Media / Individuals
– Achievement in Audio Description – Performing Arts / Organizations
– Achievement in Audio Description – Performing Arts / Individuals
I know we hear it all the time, “where has the time gone?” or, “How can it already be the third week of December?” Well… perhaps we hear that all the time because it is true. So, Where and How?
I have been putting writing this message as I feel conflicted about how I want to characterize 2020. My immediate, unthought out, response is that 2020 can’t be behind Mr. A’s tale, kind of like a huge, stinky pile of “busy, busy”, fast enough! However, upon reflection, I don’t actually want all of 2020 to be scooped up in a pick-up bag and tossed, just much of it!
I find myself reluctant to write off this year completely. Along with the drastic changes, extreme social and physical isolation, guide work frustrations, and worry that are part and parcel of COVID-19 – along with deep abiding personal challenges and losses- 2020 has also presented some silver linings along with its heap of horrible! As Mr. A and I stride along the snowy sidewalks of our neighborhood- his tail wagging, the leash loose, and sun shining down on us- I choose to believe this moment in time is a harbinger of better things in 2021.
Speaking of better things, this issue is packed with great stuff: advice to puppies from grown guides, stories about a future guide, another about a newly minted team, a seasonal poem, a tribute to a guide, informative announcements and articles, and, of course we have the message from our awesome leader woman! Read on, we have it all! Wishing you sanity in a time of COVID Craziness! May 2021 be a year that doesn’t drive us to resort to single ply paper towels! Sending physically distant hugs and wags, Andrea and Mr. A
From the President: Hello GDUI members and friends!
Lakota and I want to wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday season! No matter what type of beliefs and celebrations you hold dear to your heart, we wish you an enjoyable and special time with your loved ones.
This past year has certainly been a time of challenges, leading us to live our lives differently than ever before. The Covid 19 virus has struck so many people, loss of lives and has tested each one of us in ways we never knew we could endure. My heart goes out to those who lost a family member, friend or both from this terrible virus.
During these past months as we had to be in isolation or quarantine, it has been a blessing to have our GDUI family and friends to chat and correspond with on guide dog related issues we encountered during this pandemic. I want to thank each one of you for supporting your fellow GDUI members and friends as we move forward to a, hopefully, better 2021!
GDUI will be developing a fun-filled, fantastic and worthwhile 2021 virtual convention! We wish we could meet in person, but knowing more people can attend the virtual convention is very exciting!
We are having a town hall meeting (details later in this issue) with the ACB advocacy committee to chat about the new final release from the Department of Transportation (DOT), on traveling by air with a service dog. We will talk about the two forms developed by DOT that airlines may have you complete prior to boarding the aircraft.
Other community calls are in development. If you have any suggestions, please email them to me at president@guidedogusersinc.org.
As 2020 draws to a close, please remember to renew your GDUI membership! Reminders will be sent out on the chat lists. You can renew your membership by visiting our website at:
Thank you for supporting this wonderful organization, guide dog schools and one another! Everyone is an important and valued member. My door is always open to chat or explore new avenues!
Again, we wish you a very happy holiday and a bright and healthy New Year!
Warmest regards,
Sarah Calhoun & Lakota
GDUI President
Announcement: Aforementioned community call.
The American Council of the Blind (ACB) and Guide Dog Users Inc., (GDUI) advocacy committees will be holding a joint community call to discuss the final release by the Department of Transportation (DOT) traveling by air with a service dog. We will discuss the revised Aircraft Carrier Access Act (ACAA), forms to be completed by the service dog handler prior to boarding the aircraft and more.
Please join us on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST. The call-in information will be shared several days prior to the call.
Additional information on the final release by DOT:
Executive Summary
This final rule defines a service animal as a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit
of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. It allows airlines to recognize emotional support animals as pets, rather than service animals, and permits airlines to limit the number of service animals that one passenger can bring onboard an aircraft to two service animals.
The final rule also allows airlines to require passengers with a disability traveling with a service animal to complete and submit to the airline a form,
developed by DOT, attesting to the animal’s training and good behavior, and certifying the animal’s good health. For flight segments of eight hours or
more, the rule allows airlines to require passengers to complete and submit a DOT form attesting that the animal has the ability either not to relieve
itself on a long flight or to relieve itself in a sanitary manner. In addition, this final rule allows airlines to require a service animal user to provide
these forms up to 48 hours in advance of the date of travel if the passenger’s reservation was made prior to that time. As an alternative, airlines may
require a passenger with a disability seeking to travel with a service animal in the cabin to provide the forms at the passenger’s departure gate on the
date of travel. However, the final rule prohibits airlines from requiring that a passenger physically check-in at the airport solely on the basis that
the individual is traveling with a service animal, thus ensuring that service animal users are not prevented from enjoying the same convenience-related
benefits provided to other passengers, such as online and curbside check-in. Service animal users may use the online check-in process available to the general public.
To read the final rule as published in the federal registry go to:
Overview: This is a special embossed Braille edition of The Times’s Disabilities Act at 30 newsprint section. With more than two dozen articles and first-hand stories, this extra-accessible publication explores how the Americans With Disabilities Act has shaped modern life for people with disabilities in the 30 years since it was passed.
Announcement: Christmas Eve ACB Radio Press Release
This year, the American Council of the Blind (ACB), VITAC, and The Lumistella Company are proud to offer a special radio broadcast of the animated holiday special, “Elf Pets: A Fox Cub’s Christmas Tale,” on ACB Radio, to make holiday cheer more widely available to all this season. The Christmas Eve program will also feature a special audio described production of Rory Hoffman’s “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, a visit from Santa himself, and live phone calls from kids. The program will close with an historic airing of an audio described version of the 2015 White House holiday greeting including a tour of The White House at Christmas time.
“The holidays are a wonderful time for gathering with family,” said Dan Spoone, president of the American Council of the Blind. “And even if you can’t be together physically, we can all join each other in our respective homes and listen to the sounds of the season. We’re grateful to the creators of The Elf on the Shelf® series, musician Rory Hoffman, and VITAC for the chance to share audio described versions of classic holiday entertainment. And Santa will be with us, too! What could be better?”
“Elf Pets: A Fox Cub’s Christmas Tale” will air at 7 PM ET on December 24, 2020. The program
For more information about the Audio Description Project:
Contact Joel Snyder, PhD, Director, ACB’s Audio Description Project
202 467-5083 – jsnyder@acb.org
ACB Radio is a non-profit, internet-based, audio-only live stream. You can listen at
You can also listen via telephone by calling (518) 906-1820 and selecting number 4 for the ACB Radio Café.
Announcement: It’s Not the Holidays ’til the Angels Sing
If COVID has made it impossible for you to attend your usual holiday concerts, then this might be just the ticket. Here is a zoom concert that the Angel City Chorale put together.
“Our concert has been made accessible to be enjoyed by all! Closed captioning (CC) is available, and for our blind and visually impaired friends, we have supplied descriptions of the concert’s visual elements. These descriptions are available as either a plain text file or an audio file.”
Announcement: More audio description news
The American Council of the Blind’s Audio Description Project Announces Its Seventeenth AUDIO DESCRIPTION INSTITUTE
From the Editor: I have to admit, with tremendous sheepishness, that I had never visited the Audio Description Project website to learn more about what was there. I remedied this because of the above two announcements. What a Treat I was in for! I found information on why audio description is needed in commercials, listings of Christmas-themed videos from popular streaming services, audio described DVDs and Blu-ray discs, and so much more! Check it all out!
Announcement: About the Wreaths… from a satisfied customer
I wanted to let you, and the GDUI board, know that the Christmas Wreath fundraiser was a hit with everyone I ordered a wreath for. I think it is a good fundraising project, and a good gift idea. I ordered 5 for family and friends. My husband said he was impressed with the quality and attractiveness of the wreath.
I just wanted to let you all know the wreath was a hit in the Hill-Kennedy household. I hope you all decide to do the wreath fundraiser again next year. I’ll order more!
Thanks,
Merrilee
(Merrilee, and everyone who supported GDUI by purchasing Wreaths, thanks heaps and piles!!
Sarah, Penny and Andrea
Article: Raising a Future Guide Dog
Hadley learning expert Jessica Smith shares her experience raising a puppy that may eventually become a guide dog. She covers what she’s learned and things to consider if you’d like to volunteer to help out a guide dog school.
A downloadable transcript is available on our site: hadley.edu
Article: Tribute to a Guide
(Michael, the editing team here at Paws apologizes for not publishing this sooner, technical difficulties caused the delay)
Ann’s retired guide dog, Hansel C. Byington, crossed over the rainbow bridge today. The C, was for “Clanger” because he loved to take his food dish out of the doggie diner and clang it over almost anything, he could hit it against. Hansel was a good guide for Ann, but his life also excelled in some other areas. He was a great social worker.
Ann was paired with Hansel in 2010 when he was at the age of two years. He had a lot of puppy left in him, but eventually he grew up to be a responsible guide. He was a gentle and loving dog, not only to us, but to others as well. We will provide some examples of this.
We have a friend, Angel, who has spent most Christmas days with us over many years. In 2012, Angel said she did not think she could come for Christmas, because one of her little dogs had just had puppies, and they were very young. They were not thriving yet, and she did not think she should leave them and the mother alone. We invited her to bundle the little mother dog and tiny puppies up and bring them with her. We were not sure how Hansel would react to this, but we thought we could keep them separated if necessary.
It was absolutely not necessary. Hansel was curious when they all arrived, but he ran up, looked in the basket once they were unbundled, and suddenly became very, very sweet and gentle. The little mother dog sensed his good will and did not try to get him to get away. She let him admire, and I believe, even nuzzle the puppies. Also, when Hansel and Ann came back from guide dog school at KSDS, we still had Ann’s retired guide dog, Cleo, living with us as well.
Cleo lived to be 15, so Hansel and she had several years together. Cleo had some medical problems, and needed our help sometimes, but she seemed happy and not ready to leave this world until the age of 15. When Cleo needed our help, particularly in the morning before we had gotten up, Hansel would bark to get us to come and help Cleo. When Cleo did finally die, later that day, Hansel sat stock still in front of Cleo’s doggie diner for over an hour seemingly in meditation. We think that perhaps their spirits were communicating.
In 2013, Michael’s cousin O.C. (Chip) king moved into the Byington’s big purple house with them. Chip was an over the road truck driver, but a medical incident had caused him to be off of the road. Chip had a rehabilitation process to go through, and Hansel immediately sensed Chip’s need. He was loving and supportive, and Chip and he used to go for long walks together. Hansel started sleeping with Chip in his room. Ann was still using Hansel as a guide, but she was developing a rather severe hearing impairment which did not allow her to travel as independently as she used to.
Hansel seemed to substitute the tasks that Ann no longer was asking him to do with the goal of helping Chip recover his health in order to get back behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler. Chip was able to return to truck driving about a year and a half later in 2014, and moved out of the big purple house. There is no doubt, however, that Hansel contributed significantly to his recovery. Chip was killed in 2019 due to a trucking accident, not related to the medical problem which caused him to be off of the road for a while. He was delivering emergency supplies to hurricane victims in North Carolina at the time. Chip died doing what he loved to do, and Hansel deserves much of the credit for helping Chip be able to get back to his beloved profession of truck driving.
Shortly after Chip left the Byington’s big, purple house, Ann and Michael invited a member of their church, Gary Dashnaw to rent part of their big, purple house. Gary was a single gentleman who had some medical issues. He had had to leave his long-time job as a hospital intake worker because of these difficulties, and shortly after that, his car was stolen, he was assaulted by the car thief, and these things had further impacted both his physical and mental health. He had been living in a terrible apartment, and he was very depressed.
Hansel immediately seemed to understand Gary’s needs. He forced Gary back out of his shell, and Gary and Hansel started spending time at the local Topeka Bark Park. By this time Ann was losing quite a bit more hearing. She still benefitted from Hansel’s services as a guide. But she was not getting out and traveling as much as she used to, so Hansel had some additional time to offer to Gary. Gary thrived and was able to return to part time employment, and to a very full and active life.
Again, Ann and Michael are not sure that they could have helped Gary without Hansel. He really took the lead in Gary’s recovery. Gary died of effects of pancreatitis in 2017, but there is no doubt that Hansel allowed him to live a full and active life during his last three years. Hansel continued to be a very full and supportive part of Ann and Michael’s lives, and Ann still benefitted from his guide work some through the first part of 2018. In mid-2016, however, Hansel was diagnosed as having the beginnings of lymphoma cancer.
The vet said he could continue to be active, but said that, on average, dogs with this diagnosis, made at this stage of the disease, usually lived about another two years. The vet recommended no aggressive treatment. By the time of the diagnosis, Hansel was eight years of age, and this prediction would have allowed him to live to around 10 years. Hansel outstripped the vet’s prediction, however. He was just a few days past the age of 12 upon his death.
We believe that part of the reason that Hansel was able to put the cancer into partial remission, and live an additional two years past what was predicted, was his love for Ann and Michael. Through Ann’s life, she has worked with six guide dogs. The loss of each has of course been very difficult. This one is perhaps the most difficult though, because, at age 72, and with a fairly severe hearing impairment, as well as total blindness, Ann does not have plans to train with a seventh guide dog. Hansel was more than a friend, not only to the two of us, but to others who became important and loved by us. He helped those others, and us, in more ways emotionally than we can ever define. The one comfort that we have with this loss, and that was not present for the loss of the other guide dogs is that we know that Chip and Gary will again get to commune with their buddy, Hansel.
Hansel C. Byington, February 12, 2008—March 4, 2020
Article: How to Train a Raiser
(Please know that this is shared in good fun, all of us, guides and handlers alike, have the upmost respect, gratitude and awe for the stupendous, amazing, astounding, astonishing, extraordinary, and remarkable job you do in shaping and transforming little wiggly pups in to mature, confident, well-mannered dogs!)
Ok Puppies, your mission is to train your raiser to the best of your ability. Here are a few suggestions to get you off to a good start.
“Puppy eyes” These are the first and foremost of your assets. You will use them first thing off the puppy truck to “hook” your raiser and you will use them often afterward. Practice “the look”. Use it early. Use it often.
“Puppy breath” This is the second thing raisers can’t resist. It only lasts a short while, so take full advantage of it. It won’t be long before your raiser is saying,”eww!” to your kisses. Early training in enticing hugs is essential.
“The Grab and Run” This is a game where you grab something (preferably something forbidden, like a shoe) and run with it. Your raiser should be fast enough to quickly step on your dragline. However, for first time raisers this is a real challenge. Even experienced raisers have to relearn this skill. It is your job to give them enough practice that they stay in top form.
“The Disappearing Food Act” In this game, it is your job to eat your meal as quickly as possible. Pushing your food bowl around the room at the same time is particularly helpful. Your raiser is sure to assume you are “starving”. It won’t be long before he/she is telling the club leader that you need more food.
“You Expect Me to Eat That?” This is just the opposite of the previous idea. This time after you have been given the “OK” to eat, you just sit and stare at the bowl. I know this is hard, but the results are well worth it. Both of these ideas make sure your raiser is keeping a good eye on you.
“You Want to Do WHAT to My Nails” Raisers think it is their job to keep your nails as short as possible. It is your job to be as wiggly as you can. This helps teach your raiser patience. This also works well with ear cleaning, tooth brushing and grooming.
“The Pull and Lag” I know this sounds contradictory, but that is the idea. In this training session you alternately switch between lunging ahead and lagging behind. It will eventually get you a correction, but it is sure to keep your raiser on his/her toes. This is important in training a good raiser.
“I Can’t Hear You!” This lesson can be lots of fun. When given a command, just pretend you didn’t hear it. An inexperienced raiser will often repeat the command several times until you comply. It is your job to teach your raiser to only tell you something only one time. Once they start to get the hang of this you can gradually
increase your obedience response.
“The Perfect Puppy” This one has to be my favorite exercise. When you are old enough to go out, always be “the perfect puppy” on outings. In combination with your good looks, this polite behavior always invites comments from the adoring public. It is great publicity for all of us Guide Dogs and the boost of confidence makes your raiser work even harder.
So, puppies, as you go out on your journey to becoming a Guide Dog, use these basic principles to train your raiser. Your program depends on you to make sure your raiser is properly educated. Enjoy your family and keep up the good work!
Article: This poem, like the proverbial fruit cake, has been passed around- year after year, guide handler to puppy raiser to instructor, and from inbox to inbox, – many times, however, it is simply that good, and that unstoppable! *smile*
‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Copyright C 1996 Jenine Stanley
‘Twas the night before Christmas and the kennels were still,
with most dogs now asleep having eaten their fill.
The Labradors sprawled out, quite snug in their beds,
while visions of ANYTHING edible danced in their heads.
And the Goldens and Shepherds curled up on the floor,
some twitched in their sleep and some even did snore.
The dog food was stacked in the feed room with care,
in hopes that a trainer soon would be there.
On the window ledge, one of the kennel cats lay,
surveying the lawn at the end of this day.
Something was different, that little cat knew.
Tonight something would happen, it had to be true.
For that day as the workers had left to go home,
They’d wished Merry Christmas! before starting to roam.
The dogs had noticed it to during this past week’s walks,
the trainers seemed just that much happier and eager to talk.
In the mall where they worked through the maze of people and stores,
there were decorations and music and distractions galore!
Most dogs pranced along without worry or fear,
but some balked at the man on the sleigh and those fake looking deer.
The cat was almost asleep when he first heard the sound,
a whoosh through the air and a jingle around.
It reminded him of a dog’s collar when the animal shook,
but this sound kept on growing. He’d better go look.
From the ceiling there came a faint sort of thunk,
as the kennel cat climbed to the highest pile of junk.
Once before people had worked on the roof,
and come down through the trap door to a chorus of “Woooof!”
But the dogs still were quiet, all sleeping so sound,
as this man dressed in red made his way right on down.
He patted the cat as he climbed past his spot,
then made his way right to the trainers’ coffee pot.
A shepherd sat up, not fully awake,
then a Golden followed her with a mighty loud shake.
That did it! All the dogs sprang to life with loud noise.
In spite of the din, the old man kept his poise.
He filled the pot full and it started to brew,
then he pulled up a chair and took in the view.
Dogs all around him, so carefully bred,
he knew well their jobs, the blind people they led.
Some had stopped barking and looked at him now,
while others delighted in their own deafening howl.
Laying a finger in front of his lips,
the jolly old man silenced the excitable yips.
“You all may not know me, but I’m Santa Claus,”
the old man smiled and took a short pause,
While he filled up his mug with hot liquid and cream,
“I’ve always wanted to stop here. It’s been one of my dreams.”
The cat had climbed down and was exploring Santa’s sack.
“Yes, little kitty, that’s an empty pack.”
Santa smiled as he drank and looked at those eyes,
deep brown ones and gold ones held wide in surprise.
Some of these dogs, he’d seen just last year,
He’d seen the effects of a pup on the tree,
but now they were here at the school, just waiting to be.
“I didn’t bring you presents or bones just to chew.
I’ll tell you something better, what you are going to do.”
“You all will work hard and the trainers will share,
both praise and correction, gentle and fair.”
“You’ll go lots of places and face big scary things.
You’ll ride buses and subways and hear fire sirens ring.”
“Cars will drive at you but you will stand strong,
not moving into danger, not moving toward wrong.”
“And then just when you think that this trainer’s the best,
the kindest, and funnest person, toss away all the rest,”
“That trainer will begin to ignore you and give you away,
handing your leash over despite your dismay.
“Now the person who pets you and feeds you will be
a blind person. That’s a person who can’t see.”
” This man or this woman may see just a tad,
but their view’s missing parts or the focus is bad.”
“So you, well trained dogs, will act as their eyes.
You will work as a team and discover the size”
“Of this great world we live in, because you will go
a million new places with this person, you know.”
Santa sipped at his coffee and looked over the brood,
knowing what he had to say next might sound kind of rude.
“Not all of you will make it and become canine guides.
Your time here isn’t wasted though. You won’t be cast aside.”
“Some of you will be drug dogs and some will find bombs.
Some will become pets in a home with a dad and a mom.”
“All these things are important. People wait on long lists,
to receive such good dogs as you, the school folks insist.”
The last drop of coffee had gone into his cup
as Santa turned, smiling at each wide-eyed pup.
“The best gift of all is to give something back.
That’s why there’s nothing for you all inside of my pack.”
Draining his mug, Santa went to each pen,
and petted and scratched each dog again and again.
“Now next year and many more years after that,
you all will give gifts wherever you’re at.”
“You might lick a hand that’s had a bad day,
Or notice a car and step out of the way.”
“You might help catch a crook or discover some loot,
Or just bring some joy to a tired old man in a funny red suit.”
“Your master will love you and treat you with care.
In return, your training and trust will always be there.”
After the last dog had been petted and soothed,
Santa put away the coffee pot and made ready to move.
Up the ladder he rose to the door high above,
with a smile and a wave as he slipped on his gloves.
And all the dog ears were pricked as he disappeared out of sight.
“merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!”
Article: (Shared by the DisabilityGrapeVine)
Sarah, Penny and I- personally and on behalf of GDUI- thank the Disability Grapevine for keeping us so well informed and so often being the voice of reason & transparency that saves our sanity!
Dogs trained to detect people infected with COVID-19 – by sniffing their armpits
MAISONS-ALFORT, France – While a vaccine for the coronavirus will help stop the pandemic’s spread, finding everyone who may be carrying the virus is still an issue. Luckily, man’s best friend is now on the case. Researchers in France are helping to specially train dogs to detect people infected with COVID-19 – by sniffing their armpits.
A new study that has seen pilot programs spring up around the world has
discovered that dogs can sniff out coronavirus in the sweat of humans. Thanks to their famously acute sense of smell, dogs have been rooting out drugs, explosives, and even successfully picking up diseases like cancer for years. A team of French scientists have now shown man’s best friend can also help save lives during the pandemic by spotting the virus.
The French scientists are now showing how our furry friends can also help save lives during the pandemic by spotting virus clues. An early experiment suggested canines could be between 75 and 100 percent effective at detecting the disease with their noses.
Dogs paw-trolling airports for COVID?
The technique has already been piloted in several countries including the UEA, Lebanon, Finland, Australia, and elsewhere. Travelers may already have seen the specially trained dogs at some airports, but researchers are still trying to prove, without a doubt, that dogs can pick up the scent before the method is fully adopted. The team behind the study hope their findings will mean dogs could help with COVID aid in parts of the world without the infrastructure for expensive mass testing programs. The loveable animals could be used anywhere however, with the hope that invasive nasal swabs could be replaced by a simple sweat sample taken from the armpit for a dog to sniff.
Mass testing alternative?
Professor Dominique Grandjean, from the National Veterinary School of Alfort in France, says the dogs could check a large number of people in a short period of time. “The results are good and I’m happy, really happy,” Grandjean says in a statement, per SWNS. “It is a success technically and scientifically and it’s surprising because we didn’t know what we were going to have as results.” During the study, which started in March, the researchers recruited six dogs previously trained to sniff out bombs, colon cancer, or were used in search and rescue missions and re-trained to detect COVID-19. They then collected sweat samples from 177 people (95 with COVID-19 and 82 without) and then placed the samples inside cones for the dogs to sniff. In trials, the dogs successfully picked out the infected sweat when examining a line-up of mock and negative samples. Although the published study is just a “proof of concept” and cannot be taken as absolute proof, Professor Grandjean and his team have now carried out further studies to validate their results and have more planned in 2021. They have also issued a “practical guide” to other academics to help others in their research and are building up a set of “international training standards” for dogs.
“We have been validated by the World Health Organization and they have given us a bit of money which is good. “Probably the country which is the most advanced now is the UAE, where they have dogs in three international airports. They are deploying some mobile units to go to the villages and to the people that might be more exposed to the virus,” the professor explains. “For us here the idea was, of course, the airports but I can imagine a small city having a couple of dogs and just saying to the population ‘you can be tested whenever you want.’ You just come and put a swab under your armpit and give that to the dog and he will tell you yes or no. The dogs would be able to do that very quickly on a large number of people.” Grandjean adds that dogs could also be used where people are reluctant to have uncomfortable nasal swab tests. “We have been working with lots of countries. I think we have 20 countries working for us. It’s amazing, really amazing,” Professor Grandjean concludes.
Sincerely,
Sarah Calhoun, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Andrea Giudice, Editor
Paws for GDUI News You Can Use
Penny Reeder, Co-editor and GDUI Immediate Past President
From our house to your house, Lakota and I want to wish you, your furry four legged faithful pups, family and friends a very enjoyable, happy and healthy holiday! Whether you visit in person or by a telephone call, reaching out and connecting with others is the best gift of all.
This year has been quite a difficult year dealing with COVID-19. We have had to stay home, limit our travel, unable to congregate with others, which not only has put a strain on us, but our guide dogs as well.
We have been challenged like no other time in our life, but it has not stopped our creativity, inspirations and opportunity as we developed new ways to interact with our guide dogs, keeping their minds and spirit in tip top shape.
GDUI offers several avenues to interact with fellow guide dog handlers and supporters through our chat lists, website, “Paws, News You Can Use” newsletter and upcoming community calls!
We are planning several community calls through our Zoom platform offering a time to share your thoughts, tips and tricks related to guide dogs, schools and more! GDUI will have guest speakers from various areas within the guide dog community!
If you have any suggestions for a community call or would like to submit an article for Paws, please let us know by sending an email to:
As this year comes to an end and we ready ourselves to welcome 2021, my wish and hope for you, our GDUI family and friends throughout the world, is to regain our sense of security, normal living, ability to interact with others face to face, travel, good health and Peace for all.
We wish everyone a bright and healthy holiday season and New Year!
Sarah Calhoun & Lakota
GDUI President
Article: Canine COVID-19 humor
The Puzzle
By Enzo (about the author: Enzo is a 68 pound German Shepherd dog from The Seeing Eye Inc.)
Humans are such a puzzle.
They do many things confusing.
My lady wears a muzzle.
It is not at all amusing.
Each time we go out the door,
Does she fear she might bite someone?
She never wore one before.
We walk, but we don’t have much fun.
Other folks wear muzzles, too.
Perhaps they know showing their teeth,
Is quite a rude thing to do.
Muzzles might hide smiles beneath
Article: WHEN A GUIDE DOG CAN’T LEAD
By: Deb Trevin
I am congenitally, totally blind. When I was five, I went to the Kentucky School for the Blind in Louisville. Along with the usual subjects, we learned skills such as traveling with a cane, writing braille and alternative methods for accomplishing daily tasks. Although I was a competent cane traveler, I felt insecure and unnatural using the cane.
At age 20, I went to The Seeing Eye facility in Morristown, NJ and was introduced to Darla. She was an 18-month old black lab who seemed more mature than I.
The first time I picked up the harness and said, “Darla, Forward,” I felt like I was flying! This must be what it’s like to travel when you can see where you are going. I entered a magical world of mutual trust and interdependence as I learned to walk by Darla’s side, following her subtle movements as she guided me around obstacles.
The seasons of my life were marked by the succession of my dogs. Darla was with me when I got my first job; Coquette as I began Bible College and Twyla when I graduated. Rita was with me when I learned of my husband’s illness, through his death and into my journey to Seminary.
With one year of seminary remaining, I learned that dear, gentle Rita had lung cancer. In spite of the diagnosis, she worked until the day before her death. We only had seven years together. How could this be the end?
On a cold January day in 2013, I opened my heart to Suzy, a petite black lab/golden mix with enough spunk, curiosity, and vitality for two dogs her size. She bounced into my life and has been a speed walker ever since.
To challenge her intelligence, I must provide lots of play and games. Because she is so eager, play often means that I hide and she must stay sitting until she hears, “Suzy, come.” She races to “find” me and gets a piece of kibble as a reward.
I am a Presbyterian Pastoral Candidate. When we greet people following a church service, Suzy takes this quite seriously. She leans forward so that she can be the first to welcome her friends. Her eagerness multiplies as she sees people whose cars we have ridden in as this could mean an adventure.
This time of social isolation has been stressful for my social butterfly. She knows my schedule—which night is choir practice, which afternoon means we attend our writers’ group, Sunday mornings when we leave home early for take-out breakfast followed by praise band and choir practice before church begins.
Suzy knows the sound of the truck which picks us up on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings. She jumps onto the back seat and vigorously licks the faces of the couple in the front seat.
No doubt, she is wondering what has changed the way we do things. Now, when we go for a walk, Suzy doesn’t understand why people back away from her when she gets close to them on the sidewalk. The directive that we should stay six feet apart means nothing to her. The few times we have gone into a grocery store, she ignores the arrows on the floor which are meaningless to her, and which I can’t see. We have one friend who still comes over every two weeks or so to read mail. Suzy proudly greets her at the door with her favorite bone as if to ask, “Did you come over to play with me? Bet you can’t get my bone.”
I’d been planning to attend two significant conferences this summer, just as we did last summer. As I learned that one had been changed to a virtual event and the other cancelled for the year, I thought of how Suzy thrives in an environment where there is always something to do and people to see.
Dog guides are intended to help those who are blind to be more active and involved with the community around us. Social distancing and sheltering in place are contrary to their nature and training.
It is my responsibility to find ways to keep Suzy alert and ready to work. This sometimes means extra obedience practice, extra walks, more play, and extra cuddle time so that she stays secure and optimistic.
I stay worry-free and focused on the time when COVID-19 will be behind us, knowing that Suzy depends entirely on me for her sense of well-being and contentment.
So far, I’ve managed to keep her from engaging in regressive bad doggy behavior, such as chewing things that don’t belong to her and stealing food. This indicates that she is not overly stressed and that I’m keeping her occupied at a time when there is little guide work for her to do.
During this time of uncertainty when Suzy can’t work to her full potential, I wonder what she is feeling. This has me recall her biggest emotional upset. She was significantly distressed when we moved from Kentucky to Delaware. With several people coming and going, stacks of boxes reaching over my head with narrow aisles between them, Suzy couldn’t find a place of her own. It took me a few days to shift our belongings so that I could set up her “house.” Suzy calmed noticeably when she could surround herself with her favorite blanket and toys.
Even though my guide dog has the stress of not being able to lead me during this time of COVID-19 regulations, at least she is able to get a good night’s sleep. I smile as I hear my girl breathing deeply on the foot of my bed.
As we work and play in the beautiful fall weather, approaching Halloween, pumpkins, apple cider and cozy times with our family and friends, I hope this season will bring you enjoyable moments during these uncertain times.
I am sorry to report, GDUI has lost a friend, devoted board member and a true advocate making a difference for the blind, visually impaired and disabled people across the country.
Charlie Crawford passed away on September 11, 2020 surrounded by his wife, Sue Crawford, Charlie’s guide dog, “His little Razen in the sun”, his family and friends. We will deeply miss him as he brought enthusiasm, laughter and made life lighter for everyone whose life he touched.
Thank you, Charlie, for making a difference with your love of advocacy efforts and the willing to speak out. We will miss your emails titled, “memorandums”, petitions, your jokes and friendship. Rest in Peace our dear friend.
On September 24, 2020, GDUI was invited to hold a community call with the Alliance for Aging Adults with Low Vision (AALV), hosted by Terry Pacheco. There were three guide dog school representatives who discussed their school policy and procedures in placing a guide dog with an older adult. Becky Floyd with Gallant Hearts, GDMI Wendy Eichler with Leader Dogs and Jim Kessler with The Seeing Eye gave excellent insight and information on this topic. We hope to hold similar calls in the near future!
In this edition of “Paws, News You Can Use”, are tributes to members we have lost, announcements, and exciting GDUI news! I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter!
We wish you all the best! Enjoy the wonderful fall season!
Sarah Calhoun & Lakota
GDUI President
Message from the editor:
Hello to all of you out there. I am starting with an apology. There have been far too many sleeps since the last issue of “Paws for GDUI News You Can Use”. I am not going to make excuses or give long, involved, complicated reasons for this, I am simply stating that I am sorry and will make strenuous efforts to do better going forward.
Speaking of going forward, this issue is filled with cool announcements, some with looming deadlines, and interesting articles. There are tributes to GDUI and ACB members and even a posthumous challenge to action. I recognize that this issue is a bit longer than usual, however, there is so much wonderful material to share I had a hard deciding what to put here and what to hold back for future issues. Read and enjoy- Andrea
Tributes from Penny for Charlie Crawford and Bob Hachey
9/11/20: We’ve lost a true advocate and friend,
And this is such a sad day for the blindness community. Charlie founded the first ACB state affiliate in Massachusetts, forty-nine years ago. He went on to head the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, and then to serve as Executive Director of ACB from 1998 to 2003. Charlie was such a wonderful advocate for those of us who rely on our guide dogs for independence and safety. It was knowing Charlie and his then Seeing Eye Dog, Ruthie, that led me to apply for my first guide dog, Glory – and Glory and Charlie had such a happy mutual admiration society going in that ACB national office!
Charlie has served several terms on GDUI’s Board, and we have been so fortunate to have Charlie chairing our Advocacy and Legislative Committee. No one who ever called Charlie with an advocacy issue left the call without knowing for certain how much he and GDUI cared about their civil rights.
It is particularly poignant that Charlie should pass away on the anniversary of 9-11. That terrible morning in 2001, his primary concern was that each one of the national office staff members get home safely from Downtown Washington, DC. So typical of Charlie, he made sure that every one of us was safely headed toward home and family before he and Ruthie found their way onto the Metro.
Charlie spent his entire adult life advocating for people with disabilities and the human and civil rights of all people. His caring nature has been a reminder to all of us who called him friend.
We are not sure how to get through this sad day or the ones that will follow without Charlie. He has been such a wonderful friend to so many of us and such an enthusiastic and effective advocate for all of our human and civil rights. Our best advice is to make the most of this and every day that comes, and to tell all the treasured people and dogs in our lives that we love them, as often as possible.
9/15/2020, I am so sad to learn that Bob Hachey passed away today
Bob was the kind of person I would have described to someone who had never met him as a “good guy,” kind and gregarious, a great teller of stories, and passionate about progressive causes and dedicated to justice for all.
The first time I met Bob, we were sitting next to one another on a bus, going somewhere – maybe to Capitol Hill, maybe to a group dinner, I think it was during an ACB Legislative Seminar. Bob shared some funny stories with me, and the thing I remember most about our conversation was that he told me how much he loved his wife, Donna, and many of the reasons why. I have never met Donna, but I always kept a soft spot in my heart for her, I knew I would like her.
Bob was dedicated to making life better for people who are blind, and to ACB in particular. He spent more hours than many of us would ever consider spending on e-mail, as a moderator for ACB’s e-mail discussion lists. As a moderator, he was patient and welcoming and thoroughly committed to civility and the free exchange of information.
My deepest sympathies to Donna and all of Bob’s friends and family members. Rest in peace, Bob. We will miss you.
Announcement: Time sensitive, opportunity ends on October 30, 2020)
Dear lover of audio description—
I want to share with you a note that I received from my good friend and colleague Dr. Anna Matamala based at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.
She has asked ACB to assist with providing survey respondents regarding research on audio description and its voicing (or prosody).
The survey link and an introductory note from Dr. Matamala is below. The researchers need to receive at least 30 responses. So please take 20 minutes to complete the survey and enlist one or two friends to complete it as well? There are two parts and 18 samples to listen to in each part. The survey uses checkboxes for audio sample 1 or 2, and “Play” to listen, “Replay” to review again.
Please complete the survey by Friday, October 30.
Thank you so much for your support of this important research project.
All best,
Joel
JOEL SNYDER, Ph.D., President, Audio Description Associates, LLC
Survey information:
What type of voices do you prefer?
This is what we are researching in the RAD project at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. It is a very relevant question for audio description and we would appreciate your help.
We have prepared an anonymous online test for native speakers of English with and without sight loss. You will hear different pairs of voices and you will have to select one. It will take about 20 minutes. Sometimes it will be difficult for you to make a choice between two voices but this happens to most participants, so do not worry and please do not leave the test.
Guide Dog Users, Inc. wishes to raise needed funds to forward our Universal Voting Program which allows all of our members to cast their votes for Officers and Directors.
Holiday Wreath
These lovely wreaths are wonderful to send to your relatives and friends. The wreaths will be delivered two weeks after Thanksgiving.
Description: An aromatic combination of Noble fir, berried Juniper and incense cedar. Touches of color provided by red faux holly berries. A bow is included for easy attaching.
Price: $45.
For your convenience, we have included a PayPal link in which our funds are sent directly to GDUI. The company will process your order. Here is the PayPal link: https://sherwoodfundraiser.com/guidedogusersinc
If you have any problems you may call the GDUI Office at: (866) 799-8436. If needed Sarah Calhoun will process your individual orders for home delivery.
We are including the Order Form so that you will know the answers to the questions that Sarah will ask you to complete your order. We will accept only credit card payments please.
Order Form:
Recipient’s First and Last Name:
Recipient’s Address (No PO Boxes/APO Addresses):
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Sender’s Name:
Sender’s Phone:
Sender’s email:
Greeting from (Name – 35-character limit):
Custom Message to Recipient (35-character limit)
Announcement:
Audio Description for the News?
We recently read about a podcast called “Talk Description To me”, on which an audio describer and a member of the blind and low vision community discuss and explore current events and topics.
You will hear vivid description of important images and details.
The most recent podcast described events of 9 11 in New York City.
For those who listen to podcasts, you can find Talk Description To me where you typically find podcasts.
For those who do not listen to podcasts using an app., you can go to the website https://talkdescriptiontome.buzzsprout.comto listen to episodes, and find out more information about the show hosts and purpose of the podcast.
Announcement: Public Service Announcement courtesy of Blind Bargains
Be My Eyes makes accessible voting information available through its app
Voting is important, in 2020 perhaps more so than ever. However, the ongoing COVID19 changes mean that this process looks different than it has in years past. Be My Eyes is making accessible voting information available by state in its app. See the text of the Be My Eyes email, and find out about some patriotic items available from the National Braille Press, below.
As blind and low-vision people, we are underestimated and underrepresented every day of our lives. Voting in an election is our chance to change that. We may only turn out a few million strong, but in an election, that can make a big difference. That’s why, for the 2020 presidential election, Be My Eyes and Vote.org are teaming up – to make sure that for any American with a visual impairment, the process of registering and preparing to vote is as clear and accessible as possible.
Using Be My Eyes, you can check whether you are registered to vote, be guided through registering if you are not already, and receive information about voting by mail and COVID-19 guidelines specific to your state. According to Will Butler, president of Be my Eyes, “In a time where social distancing is still a huge part of daily lives for all Americans, it’s more important than ever that everyone has a way to access all necessary information, to make sure that they are motivated and confident about voting come November.”
In order to access voting information and assistance, open the Be My Eyes app, enter the Specialized Help menu and select Vote.org from the list of available organizations in the “Civic Engagement” category. Vote.org volunteers will be open to take your calls through Be My Eyes Monday through Friday 12pm to 4pm ET.
Additionally, the National Braille press has begun to offer several braille and tactile items potentially of interest to voters across the nation. The Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States are available as a brf document or single volume braille book. You can receive 1 copy of these documents, in either downloadable braille file or physical braille book, free of charge, and can email the National Braille Press at orders@nbp.org to discuss the cost of receiving multiple copies.
The National Braille Press also provides a tactile American flag with the pledge of aleagance written in either contracted or uncontracted braille. The product description reads,
Does your child or student know what the American flag looks like? Have they read the Pledge of Allegiance? These brilliant, red, white, and blue flags from KBTI feature tactile stars and stripes. The tactile horizontal red stripes are labeled with the lower case “r” at the far right, and the white stripes are labeled with the lower case “w.” The Pledge of Allegiance is displayed in large print over the red and white stripes, in alternating black and white lettering, and is also written in braille over the red stripes. Immediately beneath the flag is a key in braille. Flags measure 7.5″ x 9.5″.
Announcement: The following is a message from Aira
Have You Tried Aira at Starbucks?
Aira Test Underway in Stores in Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, Seattle, and Washington DC
Available Through mid-January 2021
Coffee anyone? Aira is pleased to announce a test program with Starbucks. And, we would love to know about your experience, and see your Starbucks selfies. For social media use #OnMyTerms @Starbucks @airaio.
Individuals who are blind or low vision can use the Aira service for assistance at Starbucks stores through mid-January 2021 in the following cities:
Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, Seattle, and Washington DC.
More information is available at www.Aira.io/Starbucks, including the full list of covered locations.
You will also find information about participating locations in the Aira app.
If you’ve always wanted to try Aira, this is a great way to test the service and have that iconic Starbucks experience. If you’re already an Aira Explorer, thank you, and take advantage of this offer to enhance your use of Aira. We are thrilled that Starbucks is taking this step to support blind customers as we all adjust to the current challenges. So, we encourage everyone to navigate to your local Starbucks with an Aira Agent. Maybe even incorporate it into a mobility lesson.
Aira can be used while at a Starbucks for up to 30 minutes for assistance with tasks, including:
Reading in-store information
Finding amenities such as the order counter or table
Social Distancing in the line
Finding the Starbucks itself
And more.
Don’t forget, your Aira Agent can also get that perfect Starbucks Selfie for sharing on social media. Our customers have made the hash tag #OnMyTerms synonymous with Aira so feel free to use it when tagging. Social media handles, @Starbucks and @airaio can also be used. And, remember, you can always use your free five-minute call to plan your trip before you go.
To take advantage of this offer, all you need is a smartphone and the Aira app which is free from the Apple App or Google Play stores. Then, if you are not already an Aira Explorer, you will just need to set up a free account and you can use Aira Access locations for free just like Aira Explorers do.
If you have any questions, please email Paul Schroeder at Paul@Aira.io.
Announcement: Survey opportunity
My name is Joelle, and I am a Researcher with Accenture Interactive. Verizon Wireless is a client of ours that takes accessibility and universal design very seriously, and they have asked us to conduct an independent third-party evaluation of their website. I’ve included details about the study below.
The study consists of a 1-hour Zoom interview, where we will ask participants to share their screen (phone or desktop) and think out loud as they navigate Verizon and its competitors’ websites.
We ask that participants in this study meet the following requirements:
Have a visual impairment or other disability for which they use a screen reader to interact with computer /smartphone and other devices
Have the ability to log into the Zoom platform to participate in the study and can share their screen on either desktop or mobile
Can dedicate up to 1 hour of their time for the Zoom interview
Participants will be provided an incentive in the form of a $50 Amazon gift card upon completing the study. If interested, please take this short survey. If you are selected, Accenture Interactive will contact you via email to schedule an interview. Interviews will take place the week of November 2nd and November 9th.
Announcement: On behalf of the Social Security Administration (SSA), we want to let you know that during the current coronavirus pandemic, SSA continues to provide help to you and others in your community.
While their offices are not providing service to walk-in visitors due to COVID-19, SSA remains committed to providing ongoing benefits and vital services. SSA asked me to let you know that they remain ready and able to help you by phone with most Social Security matters. You can speak with a representative by calling your local Social Security office or their National 800 Number. They provide local office phone numbers conveniently online with their Social Security Office Locator.
SSA also wants you to know they have many secure and convenient online services to:
Request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas),
Print a benefit verification letter, and
Much more.
Most business with SSA can be done online, but they know that many people still rely on phone or in-person help. That’s why they want you to know you can still count on them by phone. And, if you have a critical situation, they cannot help you with by phone or online, they may be able to schedule an appointment for you.
If you need help from SSA, please don’t wait until they can see you in person. Reach out now and get the help you need.
Lastly, SSA also understands that getting medical and other documentation can be difficult due to the pandemic. So, they are continuing to extend certain deadlines wherever possible.
Announcement: From the Hill
A federal judge ruled that New York City has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not installing accessible pedestrian signals for the blind.
The lawsuit, brought by the American Council of the Blind in 2018, sued on behalf of plaintiffs Michael Golfo and Christina Curry, claiming that of the city’s 13,000 pedestrian traffic signals, just over 2 percent convey information in a way that is accessible to blind pedestrians.
Approximately 205,000 blind or otherwise visually-impaired people live in the city.
Author’s intention for writing this article, in his own words: “I thought I would write an article intended to spur some thinking within GDUI and the schools, since I think the subject is becoming more important.”
Some thoughts to give us PAWS, August 8, 2020
By: Charles H. Crawford.
Most of us are very familiar with the anxiety we all face when our dogs start advancing in years. Did you ever wonder what the dogs think as they observe us slowing down and just becoming a bit less demanding of their work?
Even more important, what are the schools thinking as more and more graduates still want to be partnered with dogs, but just don’t have all the physical resources they used to have. These questions are becoming more relevant and they will increasingly be on the minds of trainers, handlers, and those who have supported guide dogs for many years.
So, if the above is true, then isn’t it time that GDUI start meaningful conversations about it as well? I know of at least 2 cases where this topic is highly relevant and it will need addressing in the not too distant future! Let’s take our own Juno walk and see just what may be in store.
This current Juno walk is very different from our first one, where we learned the great potential this new method of mobility had for us. We now have to examine what potential we bring to the partnership, both positive and a bit less positive, and how those less optimal treats we bring will impact the dog in doing its job? Will we readily to recognize what the dog is telling us, and more importantly, will we be nimble enough to respond appropriately? If our pace/gate change, will our current dogs adjust to our decreased speed, or will we require a new and slower dog? With all the changes in our environment, are we still equipped to meet any new challenges? Even more problematically, how will we and our dogs adapt to the emergence of secondary disabilities which present new limitations with which we must cope?
I received my first guide dog from the Seeing Eye in the early 1970’s and so it has been quite a long time and 9 dogs since then. As much as I don’t like to think about it, I am not the man I used to be and while I have been able to work my dogs since the first, I am currently assessing my capacity to work with a dog who has the same expectation that my previous dogs had.
As the Chair of our GDUI Advocacy and Legislative Affairs Committee, I am seeing situations in which the old answers may not so readily apply. Using the old model of, “a good physically and mentally fit” human should be fine as half of a handler/guide partnership, but how does that adjust to new circumstances? A few schools have tried developing training programs for multi-disabled with varying degrees of success, however I must wonder how much attention has been paid to them? Answering the many questions that this topic raises is necessary, but who should do it and using what measures to determine viability and success? As a consumer organization, GDUI is an implicit partner in the success of guide dogs, and it just may now be the time for GDUI to work with our membership and the guide dog training programs to begin answering the questions that are increasingly more relevant.
Article: If It Weren’t for My Guide Dog, I May Have Given Up on Running
Maricar Marquez never goes for a run without her dog Cliff. Not because he whines if she leaves the house without him, but because Marquez is deaf and blind, and Cliff is her guide dog.
Marquez has a condition known as Usher syndrome. As a result, she was born deaf and with a progressive visual condition called retinitis pigmentosa. “It started off as night blindness. Eventually I started having tunnel vision, which means that my peripheral vision was diminishing. I used to be a visual signer but as I started losing my peripheral vision, I started relying on tactile sign language,” says Marquez, who is a supervisor of the independent living department at the Helen Keller National Center.
Not all guide dogs are trained to guide while running. In fact, Marquez and Cliff were connected through New York-based non-profit Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the only guide dog school with a Running Guides program. The ability to run with a guide dog, rather than relying on a human guide, has made a huge impact on Marquez’s ability to exercise — and, in her words, to feel free.
We asked Marquez about her relationship with Cliff and her love of running.
Refinery29: Did you always love running?
Maricar Marquez: “Not always. I have always been very active, though. I was on the volleyball team, but I have to admit I was a lousy player. I started experiencing peripheral vision loss and night blindness during high school, and it’s hard to find the ball when you have restricted visual fields.
“Back then, though, I wasn’t as active as I am today. I didn’t start running until I went to Gallaudet [University, a private university for the deaf and hard of hearing]. That’s where I developed my love for running and sports in general. Now I run, but I’m also an avid bike rider. I use a tandem bike… obviously I can’t ride on my own.
“I consider myself an all-around athlete. I enjoy trying new things like caving, swimming, rock climbing — I’m usually up for anything. I even tried sky diving.”
Had you ever run with a dog before Cliff?
“No. Guiding Eyes for the Blind is the only program in the country that has this type of running guide program. And while I have been involved in many races — including the New York City Marathon and the Oyster Bay Triathlon — before Cliff, I ran with a human guide.
“As I lost more and more of my vision, I had started to lose my motivation for running. I missed being active, so when I heard about this running program, I got excited. But the thought of running with a dog also made me nervous. I worried that he would just take off and I would be left in the dust.
“To make sure this didn’t happen I decided to get back to the gym and start working out again. I wanted to make sure I was able to keep up with him, so I started running on the treadmill at my workplace’s gym to improve my endurance and speed.”
What was the training like with Cliff?
“The first thing you need to do is develop a relationship with your dog. I remember meeting Cliff and falling in love right away. He is such a sweet, good-natured dog. We bonded immediately so there was no issue there. The bonding came very easily. Then we were able to start training.
“The running portion of our training also worked out perfectly from the start. Cliff followed my pace, and it was a very comfortable fit. I was excited and of course a little nervous too. I had waited two and a half years for Cliff. But he was well worth the wait.”
What’s it like running with Cliff compared to running with another person?
“When I’m running with Cliff, I feel more independent. I guess the word I would use is “free”. I’m not depending on another person. I depend on people for so much — it’s nice to be on my own.
“Don’t get me wrong, I still depend on people to provide me with visual information and facilitate communication with others when I’m in a race or a run. I’m thankful to all the people in my life for that. Cliff isn’t able to sign to me.
“But holding onto a human guide can be tricky when running. I have problems with my balance and using a human guide throws my balance off even more. Cliff has a special running harness. It’s very comfortable. I give the directions but Cliff guides me around any obstacles in our way. For example, I’ve been running on a boardwalk recently and he guides me around the people, benches, and any construction sites.”
What’s the biggest impact that Cliff has made on your life?
“I guess running would be the biggest impact. If I had gotten another dog who didn’t have this specialized training, I may not have gotten back into running and all the other activities that I love to do. He has given me the motivation to run, and to do other activities as well, because now I’m feeling good, I feel strong and in shape. We graduated in December 2018 from the GB and since then I’ve joined two races, a 5k, and a triathlon.
“I’ve completed many triathlons in the past, but it had been a few years since I had competed. I kept talking about it but never followed through. Then when I got Cliff I told myself I have no more excuses. It’s time to get back out there. So, I started training. If I didn’t have Cliff I don’t know if I would have had the motivation to get back to my active life. I’m thankful to him for that.”
Article: These Incredible Dogs Are Being Trained to Sniff Out COVID-19
Storm, Star, Jasper, Digby, Norman, Asher, Kyp and Bramble.
They might sound like characters in an X-Men film – but they’re far more important than that. These names belong to eight dogs being trained to detect Covid-19 by sniffing it out.
The vision is that one day in the future, they (and a team of fellow canines) could be deployed in public places, such as airports and sports stadiums, to identify people who have the virus – including those who don’t show symptoms.
Historically, dogs trained at the Medical Detection Dogs HQ in Milton Keynes have detected a range of diseases including cancer and Parkinson’s. They can do this because of their heightened sense of smell – it’s thought 30% of the dog’s brain is dedicated to analyzing odour and the percentage of a dog’s brain devoted to analysing odours is 40 times larger than that of a human.
The Covid-19 detection dogs have been doing initial training to get used to the handlers, the training room and the system. Meanwhile, researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine are getting ready to collect samples of Covid-19 from NHS hospitals to be distributed to the centre.
Medical Detection Dogs
Asher the spaniel sniffs a sample in the training centre.
By the time the Covid-19 samples arrive on site, the dogs should be ready to detect the virus’ specific smell. They’ll do this by sniffing different samples in the charity’s training room, then indicating when they’ve found a positive Covid-19 sample by sitting down in front of it. There’ll be some tail-wagging, too.
The training method used is reward-based: dogs are given a treat or get to play a game of fetch when they make an accurate assessment, so they feel encouraged to detect it again and again.
The dogs recruited so far are a mixture of spaniels and Labradors – and there’s a reason for this. “All dogs and breeds have the capability to detect cancer, other diseases and crisis situations in humans,” the charity’s CEO and co-founder, Claire Guest, tells HuffPost UK.
“However, because our dogs screen samples on a carousel, we select breeds with a high hunt drive – the kind of dogs that chase a tennis ball 100 times and don’t get bored or tired. Our dogs are chosen according to their ability. It is important they have good noses and love searching and hunting for toys.”
Once the dogs have identified Covid-19 in samples, they’ll begin work on detecting the odour on actual human beings.
Neil Pollock
Star is one of the detection dogs being trained to sniff out Covid.
It can take six to eight months for a dog to reach a “good” level of performance as a bio-detection dog, says Guest. The eight dogs have already gone through this training.
“The length of time to train a bio-detection dog varies depending on a number of things, such as the odour they are being trained to detect, the sample type they are using, and the dog itself – all dogs learn at different speeds, the same as humans,” she adds.
Once the samples arrive, it’ll take six to eight weeks for them to learn the Covid-19 scent ready to go through to trials, so the centre should have a good understanding of whether the dogs can detect the smell of Covid-19 and to what level of accuracy by then.
The ultimate aim is that the team of detection dogs will be able to screen, without touching, any individual – including those who are asymptomatic – to see if they have the virus. They would then indicate to dog handlers if the person has Covid-19, and the person would need to take a test to confirm they have it. Amazingly, a single dog can screen up to 250 people per hour.
“Rapid screening of high numbers of people, even if asymptomatic, will help return our lives back to some sort of normality.”
HuffPost UK
Jasper
If they’re able to sniff out the virus, it would be a fast, effective and non-invasive testing method, and would make sure actual testing resources are only used where they’re really needed.
Trained dogs could also help assess the prevalence of disease among travellers from specific locations including current ‘hotspots’, says Professor James Logan, head of the department of disease control at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
“For example, using detector dogs at airports could help establish that 50% of passengers on a plane from destination A have the virus, whereas only 5% of passengers from destination B do,” he says. “This would provide rapid information of risk and likelihood of rapid spread.”
There are high hopes that the detector dogs could be deployed in under six months.
Prof Logan says that if successful, the trial could “revolutionise” how the virus is diagnosed: “Rapid screening of high numbers of people, even if asymptomatic, will help return our lives back to some sort of normality.”
Sincerely,
Sarah Calhoun, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Andrea Giudice, Editor
Paws for GDUI News You Can Use
Penny Reeder, Co-editor and GDUI Immediate Past President
