President: Sarah Calhoun
Editor: Andrea Giudice
Co-editor and GDUI Immediate Past President: Penny Reeder
Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) A special interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) since 1972
Toll-Free: 866.799.8436
From the editor: Hello fellow GDUISters
This issue is quite robust. That is not because I have suddenly gotten way better at my job- rather because two people lent assistance and provided material. I ask you to imagine how replete this publication could be if more than just two (my use of “just” is in no way meant to belittle, diminish, or devalue their contributions) actually through this editor a bone once and a while. Also, while it in no way lowers my level of gratitude, these two contributors are the same two who can always be counted on. They simply upped their game this tine as I am really struggling. All of this is to say, “Please help!”
I hear, third or fourth hand, that folks are less than satisfied with how this publication is going. Well, I am not so enthusiastic about it recently either, however, it is bigger than I can manage all by myself. So, if even one out of ten of you sent an article, announcement, or even a topic idea, this publication would be truly of GDUI, for GDUI!
Now, as for this issue- There is some time sensitive information (fast approaching deadlines) so I have put those at the beginning. Lots of convention information. Don’t forget to get your drawing tickets for the Hava pups!! There are articles and announcements covering a diverse topic continuum. We have drugs, money, and the Feds!!; Also, tech tips and trainings… read, enjoy, and stay safe. Give your pups kisses on their fuzzy noses from me!
Sending cyber hugs and wags, Andrea and Dynamite Dog
From the President: Hello GDUI members and friends,
As we enjoy the last days of spring and move into the sunshine-filled days of early summer, we hope everyone has had a wonderful first half of 2022!
The GDUI convention program committee has scheduled so many interesting and fun-filled programs for this year’s convention!
Whether you are participating virtually or in-person, we invite each of you to enjoy our programs! Just look at what we have lined up for you!
Furry tails, a joint event with Blind Pride International (BPI); Cryo preservation presented by Southeastern Guide Dog School; The popular guide dog school updates; Smart collars, Panel facilitated by Carl Richardson, with speakers from Guiding Eyes, IBM and North Carolina State University; and The Presentation of GDUI awards, the drawing for winners of the four plush dogs in harness, and ending with The Blessings presented by Audrey Gunter and Laurel Jean Walden!
We will be giving away door prizes during all of our events! If you would like a chance to win a prize, all you need to do is pay the
$10.00 GDUI registration fee when you register on the ACB Convention registration form.
Many of our GDUI members have recently begun working with a new guide dog! (I am just one of the GDUI members who is working and bonding with a new guide dog.) It has been fun to hear about all of the new partnerships as the new teams begin their journeys!
Congratulations as you share many miles and smiles!
In GDUI we always want to encourage our members to become as involved with our organization as you want to. A great way to get more involved and to help with our important work is to join one of our committees.
Find a committee list here: Committees – Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI)
Elections will be taking place in October 2022, so please also consider running for a board position! All of the officer positions are open, plus several director positions as well. Be on the lookout toward the end of the summer for more information about the coming elections and the process for running for an officer or board director position.
Keep up with the latest happenings in GDUI by visiting our very accessible web site: www.guidedogusersinc.org
Have fun this summer, enjoy the convention and as always, please feel free to reach out to me at president@guidedogusersinc.org or, info@guidedogusersinc.org
Sarah Calhoun
Announcement: Furry-Tails Award! Deadline is May 29! So…
Hop Up!! There’s hardly any time Left to nominate your current or past guide dog
ACB Furry-Tails: Presented by Sunday edition and GDUI
Over the last 60 years, there have been so many memorable moments and people we want to honor in the American Council of the Blind. And, there have also been so many Furry Skilled
Professionals who will always live in our hearts and memories. We want to honor these extraordinary guide dogs as well, and now, thanks to Anthony Corona’s ACB Media program, Sunday Edition, and GDUI, we have the perfect opportunity!
Sunday edition is partnering with GDUI in a program to recognize these amazing Guide dogs. This year in Omaha during the National Conference and Convention join us as we remember and honor these wonderful dogs and of course their handlers, as well.
How Furry-Tails will work:
Sunday edition will collect nominations from March 1st until May 29th Then a committee from GDUI and Sunday edition will select 10 Furry-Tail recipients
Who will be winners at the first-ever convention Furry Tails Awards Program? A Paw shaped plaque will be awarded to each winning handler or representative of the handler and a testimonial will be
placed on the Furry-Tails webpage that will be created for this awesome program. Pictures and video testimonials will be recorded for the program and winning handlers will have the opportunity to address program attendees to share memories of their special Furry-professionals. Additionally, Sunday edition will highlight
the awardees on the weekly program in august.
Submissions should include:
A written testimonial of 500 to 750 words; including the story of said Furry-professional with anecdotes and accomplishments. Please include any memorable moments from the life of the nominee. Who is the handler and who will represent the handler and nominee at convention. A bright and clear picture of the nominee and one of the team. ***Pictures are optional *** Any folks who wish to share stories and memories of the nominee.
Please send your nominations to: SundayEditionAC@gmail.com
Use the Subject: Furry-Tails Nominee
As we celebrate 60 memorable years of the American Council of the Blind let’s celebrate the Furry members who have added so much to our great community
together. Look for more information on Furry-Tails in the National Convention Program and announcements on Sunday edition. We look forward to brushing
through the submissions and presenting these amazing stories for ACB Members at convention.
Sincerely Yours,
The Sunday edition Team and the Leaders of GDUI
CONVENTION NEWS!!!
GDUI 2022 Convention Update:
(Please make note of changes in our GDUI convention program schedule, listed below.)
In response to a request from ACB, there have been some adjustments in our convention schedule. We are happy to accommodate ACB’s need for us to alter our convention schedule, and we hope that these changes will actually make your convention planning less complicated than usual. (It’s always so difficult to decide which affiliate events will take precedence over others that occupy the same time frames on each day’s schedule, or convention tours or just hanging out with friends.) In fact, the schedule changes, outlined below, may open up some additional options for fun and entertainment whether you’re planning to be in Omaha in person or celebrate Independence Day at home.
We are confident you remember that the GDUI board of directors voted to make our 2022 convention a virtual-only event. While, if attending in person, the ACB conference and convention in Omaha- all guide dog users will be welcome at all sessions and events; by making our affiliate convention virtual, the board has guaranteed that all of our events will be available via ZOOM. Therefore, when ACB asked, we were able to re-schedule several of our virtual events to occur earlier than the in-person convention week of July 1-8. As it happens, this virtual thing worked out quite well! When we requested a double session to accommodate our Guide Dog Schools Update, the only day that was available to us was the 4th of July. Now that the schools update can be scheduled for the earlier week in June, you and all of the guide dog schools’ representatives can make plans to celebrate our country’s birthday in more traditional ways, and scheduling so many of our convention events in June frees lots more time for you to attend other fascinating ACB special-interest affiliate programming, and to sign up for some amazing-sounding tours.
Registration for GDUI is $10.00, whether or not you are attending ACB’s convention in person or via ZOOM, and includes eligibility to win door prizes.
Here’s what you need to know if you are planning to attend the ACB Conference and Convention in person:
So far, 7 guide dog schools have indicated that they will be present in the Exhibit Hall in July. We hope that some trainers will be available to assist guide dog handlers who need help with orientation to the hotel, the dog relief areas and the convention center. GDUI will not have a suite this year so, we will count on the guide dog school representatives to identify a meeting area in a convenient location where guide dog users and trainers can get together. As always, we appreciate the wonderful assistance the guide dog school representatives and trainers offer to all guide dog users attending convention.
GDUI convention program schedule
Please note that the first three events listed below are scheduled for the pre-convention week of virtual events, on June 23 and 24. All meeting events are listed in Central (convention) time.
Thursday, June 23
11:30 AM-2:15 PM guide dog school updates
virtual)- No fee
A Double session of the ever-popular updates from all the guide dog schools.
Friday, June 24
1:00-2:15PM Science for Superheroes: Video presentation and discussion of Cryopreservation (virtual)- No fee
Demonstrating how semen samples from male breeders are frozen and stored. Other topics touched on are genetic diversity, dual careers for dogs and superheroes for years to come. (We thank Bruno for the sample.)
Speaker: ZUHEY MEDINA-GONZALEZ | Director, Genetics, Reproduction, & Puppy Care
Southeastern Guide Dogs, Palmetto, FL.
Friday, June 24
2:30-3:45 PM Supercomputers and Super Pups
(virtual)- No fee
Learn how a guide dog school has teamed up with North Carolina State University and IBM to use artificial intelligence and smart collars to increase the
number of exceptional guide dogs available to provide our community with greater independence.
Panel facilitated by Carl Richardson, President, Guide Dog Users of Massachusetts (Brighton, MA);
From Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Yorktown Heights, NY. Gerald Brenninkmeyer, Director of Canine Program Development;
Melissa Carney, Community Outreach and Graduate Support Manager;
And, Retired from GEB, Jane Russenberger, working on a special project with the International Working Dog Registry on Genetics of Working Dogs;
From IBM, Armonk, NY. Lorraine Trapani, Executive Program Manager, Global Risk Management Import Compliance Office (ICO)IBM Government and Regulatory Affairs;
From North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. Dr. Alper Bozkurt, Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering;
And Dr. David L. Roberts,
Associate Professor, Computer Engineering, and CIIGAR Lab Director (Canine Instruction with Instrumented Gadgets Administering Rewards).
The following GDUI convention programs remain on our originally-announced schedule for convention week, July 1-8, 2022:
Saturday, July 2
11:30 AM-12:45 PM Furry Tails
(Onsite and virtual)- No fee
There have been so many “Furry Skilled Professionals” over the years who will always live in our hearts and memories. Sunday Edition and GDUI want to
recognize some of these amazing guides. Join us as we remember and honor these wonderful dogs and their handlers. (Anthony Corona)
Sunday, July 3
7:00-8:15 AM Guide Dogs for the Blind Breakfast
(Onsite and virtual)- No fee
GDB Grads: If you are attending the ACB convention in Omaha, get together with GDB for Breakfast!
GDB grads can connect with friends and staff; those considering the guide dog lifestyle are welcome to attend, as well. If you’d like to join GDB for breakfast please email Theresa at tstern@guidedogs.com
If you are attending convention virtually, you will be able to listen to the program via zoom or on ACB media.
Wednesday, July 6
5:30-6:45 PM GDUI: Wrap-up and Awards
(Onsite and virtual)- no fee
GDUI Awards (Margie Donovan, Awards Chair, Folsom, CA);
Drawing of four winners of plush pups in harness;
And the Blessing of past, present and future
guide dogs, puppy raisers, handlers and those who love them- (Audrey Gunter and Laurel Jean Walden, Charleston, SC).
Whether you are attending the ACB conference and convention in person, or attending events virtually, we welcome you to all of our June and July GDUI convention events, and we join you in looking forward to a fabulous GDUI convention!
Maria Hansen
GDUI Program Chair & 1st Vice President
212.929.5025
More about what Audrey and Laurel are up to!
A Message from Your Rovering Reporter Bernie: Here’s What You Need to Know about the Blessing of the Guide Dogs Scheduled for GDUI’s 2022 Convention
Hello, Pups and Peeps;
This is your rovering reporter, Bernie The Guide Dog, coming to you all almost live from the state of Inclusion at the intersection of Excitement and Exuberance!
Today, I’d like to talk with you all about GDUI’s upcoming convention.
I’m not exactly sure what a convention is, but my Bubba Jessie knows…he’s been to lots of them. When he talks about them he wags his tail and licks
his lips as he remembers the yummy food all those blind folks just happened to drop on the floor. He said lots of sighted folks did, too, especially at
the last Top Dog-Charleston way back in January, ’19. Jessie said a guide has to be careful to dodge all those other working furries and, of course some of those long, white canes.
I admit all that does sound inviting, ‘specially the part about the food, but I need to talk with you now about GDUI’s annual convention in Omaha, Nebraska scheduled for June and July!
I overheard that strange voice in Mom’s ‘puter tell about the great programs Miss Maria H and those other nice folks on her committee have put together
and I can hardly wait to learn more about those “smart collars” and “super heroes” (like me) and the updates from the guide dog schools, along with all
those other interesting programs! I know I’ll be all ears…and, being a lab, I’ve got some big, long ears!
Did you know that I’m going to be a part of this year’s convention? That’s right! Bernie The Guide Dog, (that’s me), will be officiating at “The Blessing”!
Well, actually Mom and Aunt Laurel will be doing all the talking but I need to be there to help them both with something Mom calls “moral support”. I’m
not exactly sure about what that entails, but I think it must be good ‘cuz Mom always smiles when she talks about it and me. We’re hoping bubba Jessie
can be there too, but he’s over 13 years old now and not feeling so well. Mom says he’ll be there with us in spirit, regardless though.
For our “Blessing” to be successful, we’ll need YOUR help. You see, Aunt Laurel is planning to offer some of her way cool music before she honors those
guides that have retired and does a special tribute to those who have crossed that famous”Rainbow Bridge”. You won’t want to miss either of those. She
does a special audible candle light memorial that Bubba Jessie says always makes our 2 legged folks sad and happy at the same time.
Mom and I will be there to pay special homage to all of us currently working guides. Don’t worry, though. Aunt Laurel will be doing all the singing while
Mom just listens. No matter how much she practices, Mom just cannot carry a tune in a bucket! I love her, anyway, though.
What we need YOU to do is to send Mom and Aunt Laurel the names of those you want mentioned during this service and be sure to tell us if they are retired
or passed on We don’t want to leave anyone out, so please send us your names by June 10, 2022.
We didn’t forget the puppy raisers, either! We all LOVE puppy raisers! So, please ask all the puppy raisers you know to join us for a special blessing
of our future guides! Here’s the email address you should send your names to: retired51837@msn.com
Well, I’ve gotta go for now. Mom is cooking something that smells scrumpt ta de lishus and I have to be ready for floor cleanup duty. I know you all
understand. So, until the next time, this is your rovering reporter, Bernie The Guide Dog wishing you all loads of love and lots of licks!
Blessings,
Bernie The Guide Dog
This year GDUI is again holding the enormously popular drawing. It is better than ever- 4 plush pups in harness thanks to Hava’s the extraordinary generosity!!!
Each pup measures 12 inches from tip of nose to tip of tail and is 10 inches tall. Tickets are three for $5.00 or seven for $10.00. These pups get along so well with one another and have even developed some “special friendships” so, feel free to purchase tickets for more than one. Also, remember, the Hava Pups are seriously coveted and make terrific gifts for other guide handlers, puppy raisers, kids, grand kids, other people’s kids, special trainers, your vet, groomer, or a pet sitter.
Get your tickets from the GDUI website using the below link
or contact GDUI’s Office Manager, Lynn Merrill, by phone: 1-866-799-8436
Ticket sales will end at high noon, central time, on Wednesday, July 6 and winners will be announced during the GDUI wrap-up and awards session which begins, later that same day, at 5:30 PM central time.
Let’s meet this year’s string:
list of 4 items
- Rascal, a yellow lab in a beautiful GDA harness. He is the youngest and loves to play. However, when he is in harness, he is laser-focused on his job. He looks up to the other guides and is eager to please.
(Please include picture, with caption, from website here)
- Cocoa, a chocolate lab in a Leader harness. She is a sweet little pixie with a heart of gold who eagerly greets each new day. After work and playtime, she’s a little cuddle bug.
(Please include picture, with caption, from website here)
- Banner, a black and tan German shepherd in a Fidelco harness. Able to multi-task. While working, playing, or even at rest, he is vigilant and taking care of his “pack”. Very loyal.
(Please include picture, with caption, from website here)
- Bella, a golden in a Seeing Eye harness. Gentle and nurturing. She has such a beautiful face. She is an excellent worker and a calm and relaxing companion.
(Please include picture, with caption, from website here)
Announcement: Link to an Accessible Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form
Thanks to great advocacy by Sheila Styron, Becky Davidson, Gabriel Lopez Kafati, and others, we are sharing a link to an accessible DOT form, which we believe will be acceptable to any airline you are using to travel to Omaha this summer. Gabriel successfully advocated with American Airlines to persuade them to format the DOT form they provide on the American Airlines web site as an accessible form, which a person who uses a screen reader can complete independently. Since, according to the U. S. Department of Transportation, all of the airlines are required to utilize the same form (no matter how they happen to format it on their own web pages, we believe that, if you complete the form, print it, and bring it with you to the airport, you shouldn’t have any problems boarding your plane with your guide dog.
(Disclaimer: Please note, we make no prior claims regarding the circumstance you may actually find yourself in at your particular airport or on your particular travel date. We are all too well aware that the level of training of various airline representatives and airport personnel can vary widely, so please take our advice with a proverbial grain of salt, and be prepared for other eventualities.)
Gabriel tells us that the American Airlines DOT form is good for one calendar year, they keep it on file for that year, and unless your dog’s Rabies vaccine expires before the end of the year, you won’t have to fill out the DOT form again until the next year.
We do not know which other airlines — if any — make the DOT form applicable for an entire calendar year, but, since all domestic airlines are utilizing the DOT form—whether or not they follow American Airlines’ example and assure its accessibility – we believe that the form for which we are providing the link below will make your air travel to convention easier.
Contact American – Questions, comments and suggestions – American Airlines (aa.com)
Thank you to Janet Dickelman, ACB Convention Coordinator, and Sheila Styron for sharing the PDF form via e-mail on ACB and GDUI e-mail discussion lists, and to Becky Davidson and Gabriel Lopez Kafati for their helpful clarifications.
Announcement: Talking Prescription Labels, you may not know all the facts, I sure didn’t!
Many pharmacies today provide some type of accessible prescription label, unfortunately few people are using them. En-Vision America needs to hear from you! Even if your pharmacy does NOT offer ScripTalk they will help you get set up with the option your pharmacy provides.
- Reach out to En-Vision America by calling 800-890-1180 or emailing customerservice@envisionamerica.com
- Tell them what pharmacy you use
- Let them do the rest! They will help you get set up with the option that is provided OR they will contact your pharmacy to see if they will provide ScripTalk to you.
- ALL of these options are FREE to you
It is common that your pharmacy staff will not be aware of the options available. En-Vision America will take the frustration out of getting set up!
Amanda Tolson
Vice President of Sales, En-Vision America
825 4th Street W, Palmetto FL 34221
Toll Free: 800-890-1180
Web: www.envisionamerica.com
Announcement: snippets of tech news and coming attractions
(Excerpted from- Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, May 19, 2022 – Volume 859
The Week’s News in Adaptive Technology, https://toptechtidbits.com/)
informative links:
- Breaking: Android 13 will Include Built-in Braille Support, Supplanting BrailleBack
Android 13 will at long last include built-in braille support without the need to download a separate app. The feature was announced by Google’s Nimer Jaber during a session at this year’s IO conference:
https://www.blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=22488
- Human-Narrated Audiobooks (Beta) Are Here
Bookshare announced that they are adding over 5,000 audiobooks to its library for members to download. Previously, Bookshare’s offerings were text-only, which members used text-to-speech software to access:
https://www.bookshare.org/cms/campaign/summer
- Video Playlist from Microsoft Ability Summit 2022
Here you will find all recorded sessions from the Microsoft Ability Summit, hosted virtually on May 10th 2022:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtSVUgxIo6Ko_SB8H9JUaCZMsxiCNu-am
- Toggle Full Screen in a Microsoft Teams Meeting
When you join a Microsoft Teams meeting, the meeting usually opens in a separate window. You can always maximize an application window by pressing Alt + Space, then X, or Windows key + Up Arrow. But you can get rid of the title bar at the top of the Teams meeting window by pressing F11. This gives a little more space for the application. It is actually the same shortcut to activate full screen in a browser window, and other applications like File Explorer:
https://sharons-shortcuts.ie/toggle-full-screen-in-a-microsoft-teams-meeting/
- 7 Common Mistakes That Are Damaging Your Smartphone
Everyone does it. We’re all human, after all. But, if you avoid these mistakes, your smartphone is guaranteed to last longer:
https://www.makeuseof.com/common-mistakes-damaging-smartphone/
- Hadley offers Invaluable Help for Visually Impaired Travelers to Make the Most of Vacation
Many of us are looking forward to traveling again this summer. For the millions of older Americans with visual impairments, however, traveling may seem like more of a challenge, especially if their eye condition is new to them. But with a little preparation and proper resources, those with low vision or blindness can continue to enjoy traveling:
Learning opportunities:
- Using iOS Shortcuts- Andrew Heiskell Braille And Talking Book Library
Thursday June 9th 2022, 11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Shortcuts can be used to automate tasks and save time. Join us to explore examples of effective shortcuts and learn to create your own. This event will take place in person and online. Email ChanceyFleet@nypl.org to RSVP in person, or register to participate online:
- Gadgets and Apps for Safe Navigation-Technology User Group, Maryland State Library
June 11th 2022- 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT (All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice.)
Please dial (319) 527-4994 at 10 AM ET.
There are many apps and devices that can aid a visually impaired traveler through the unknown. Avoid low-hanging obstacles and other obstructions. Which ones can you afford and which ones offer the best protection?
https://www.marylandlibraries.org/Pages/Technology%20User%20Group.aspx
Announcement: TSA Performance survey (6/6/22 deadline)
The Department of Homeland Security’s Continuous Improvement in Transit Security Administration Performance Survey: Responses Requested by June 6!
The Transit Security Administration has asked us to distribute their “Continuous Improvements of TSA Services” survey to our members. Responses/feedback can be sent to susan.buckland@tsa.dhs.gov by June 6, 2022. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Survey questions are pasted below.
Question #1. Please share any disability experiences or observations with TSA’s standard and/or TSA PreCheck® screening activities (e.g., Regarding program access, effective communication, physical access, provision of reasonable modifications).
Question #2. What are some “promising practices” you can share for how to successfully interact/engage with individuals with disabilities, including the following situations as they are related to your experiences?
- Traveling with a medical device, including an indwelling medical device;
- Traveling with a prosthetic;
- Traveling with a wheelchair, walker, scooter or other medical device;
- Traveling with a service animal;
- Traveling with sensitivities to touch, pressure, sound, or hypersensitivity to stimuli in the environment; or
- Other disabilities.
Question #3. What topics would you like discussed during TSA Disability and Medical Conditions Coalition Teleconferences?
Question #4. What suggestions can you make to further improve TSA services for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions?
Question #5. Is there anything else you would like to share?
Question #6. If there are other not-for-profit or advocacy organizations that you think we should engage with, please share their details.
Please send responses/feedback to susan.buckland@tsa.dhs.gov by June 6, 2022.
Article: Maine’s blind residents share firsthand knowledge & expertise about life with a guide dog
(From: https://www.sunjournal.com/2022/05/02/maine-guide-dog-group-launches-new-website/)
Pine Tree Guide Dog Users, a nonprofit organization serving Maine’s blind and visually impaired residents who are partnered with guide dogs recently launched its newly designed website.
From adorable guide dog puppies in training to extraordinary guide dog teams at work, the site features content related to all aspects of Maine life with a guide dog.
“Our new website is designed to provide accurate information and resources to a variety of audiences,” said Pauline Lamontagne, President of Pine Tree
Guide Dog Users. “It includes content about living and working with a guide dog, adjusting to vision loss, training guide dog puppies, accessing public places, and much more.”
The site offers something for everyone — whether you’re a student gathering information for a school project, a business owner trying to determine how to identify a legitimate service animal, a legislator seeking facts about Maine’s guide dog teams, a blind person wishing to learn more about what it’s like to partner with a guide dog, or anyone else who has an interest in learning more about Maine’s guide dog teams.
“The topic headers on the site are presented in bold, more visible fonts so viewers can quickly scan the contents on each page,” said Carolyn Bebee, a lead member of the Pine Tree Guide Dog Users website design committee.
The site also showcases captivating, real-life images of Maine’s guide dog teams at work, at play, and even guide dog puppies in training. Many of these photos were taken courtesy of MaineImaging.com and Maureen G. Nowak Photography. The photographs will also be used on Pine Tree Guide Dog Users new Facebook page.
Pine Tree Guide Dog Users (www.PineTreeGuideDogUsers.org)
is a registered nonprofit under IRS section 501(c)(3). Founded in 1997, the organization’s mission is to promote complete acceptance of guide dog teams in all aspects of life.
Article: A new dog learns some important tricks: Helping his blind owner
Perspective by John Kelly, Columnist, May 2, 2022
[From A lot of training goes into getting a guide dog ready to help its owner – The Washington Post. We thank John Kelly for writing such an informative column, and the Washington Post for helping to educate the public about the etiquette we expect from them when we are out and about with our guide dogs. Thanks to Maria Kristic, who has two Leader dogs of her own, one recently retired, and one nearly brand new, for sharing this article with Paws for GDUI News You Can Use.]
“To handle an environment like D.C., you need a dog with some oomph and some gumption,” says Kathryn Roberts, a trainer with
Leader Dogs for the Blind.
It helps if the owner has those same qualities, which is why Moira Shea and her new guide dog, Cormac — Mac, as she calls him — seem like a perfect pair.
“Find the button,” Shea says at a Connecticut Avenue NW street corner. “Find the button, Mac.”
She follows the yellow Lab — her left hand on his leather harness — as the dog strides toward the pole-mounted crosswalk button at Cathedral Avenue NW.
For the last two weeks, Shea, 66, and Roberts, 33, have been involved in a changing of the guard: The 18-month-old Mac is learning to take over from Shea’s previous guide dog, a yellow Lab named Declan.
“I don’t think people really understand how guide dogs are trained,” Shea says.
Says Roberts: “People assume it just happens, but it’s a lot of work on Moira’s part and on the dog’s part. It’s 50-50.”
On this Sunday morning, Shea and Mac — with Roberts observing from a few feet away — are going to walk up Connecticut Avenue, get on the Metro at Cleveland
Park, ride it south to Woodley Park, exit, then walk three blocks back to the house Shea shares with her husband, Christophe Lorraine.
“Forward, Mac,” Shea says, urging Mac on.
Shea has Usher syndrome, which slowly robbed her of her vision and hearing. (A cochlear implant allows her to hear.) Her first guide dog was Beau, who
came into her life in 1994. Owen was her dog when Shea lost her vision completely.
Finnegan was Shea’s next guide dog, a golden retriever who accompanied her to eight different countries, including Mexico, Italy and France. Then there was Declan.
Now it’s Mac’s turn. He spent his first year living with a “puppy raiser” in Michigan. Then he underwent five months of training at Leader Dogs’ facility in Rochester Hills, 30 miles north of Detroit.
And now he’s in Washington with Shea, who retired 10 years ago after a federal government career. He pads along the left side of the sidewalk. When a tree box intrudes into the sidewalk; he moves to the right.
The landscape is studded with obstacles: restaurant sandwich boards, rental scooters, construction pylons. Some pedestrians are so obsessed by their phones that they step aside only at the last minute.
Then there are the other dogs.
“Mac, for the most part, isn’t distracted by them,” Shea says.
When there’s a problem, it’s usually the owner’s fault. Our little caravan is just past the National Zoo when a yapping and nipping Pomeranian strains at its leash to get at Mac, who stops and sits in an apparent attempt to defuse the situation.
The Pomeranian’s human makes no attempt to reel in the dog. Roberts implores him to keep moving.
People: If you and your dog encounter a guide dog and its owner, give them a wide berth.
Mac and Shea find the elevator at the Cleveland Park station. On the platform, Shea feels along the tiled edge with her foot for the tactile bumps. When the train comes, she follows Mac aboard and takes a seat.
Shea used to have a sign on her dog’s harness that read “Don’t pet me. I’m working.”
“I don’t use it anymore,” she says. “People start talking to the dog. They think ‘As long as I’m not petting it, it’s okay.’”
She prefers a different sign: “Ignore me. I’m working.”
Says Shea: “Once the harness is on him, he knows he’s working. And he knows he can’t socialize with you. That’s why you don’t want people petting the dogs when they’re in harness, because they get confused.”
At Woodley Park, Shea and Mac ride up on the escalator, something he was trained to do in Michigan. Guide dogs tend to hop off at the end, Roberts says.
“Finnegan used to just fly off,” Shea says.
At first, Mac walks past Shea’s house and Roberts calls him back. Soon he’ll remember exactly where it is, just as he’ll know which pharmacy and dry cleaner Shea goes to. Back inside, his harness removed, Mac is just another dog, part of a pack that includes Declan, Finnegan and a golden retriever named Asia.
Declan’s a bit bigger than Mac, but at first touch they seem like twins. Shea can tell them apart by rubbing her hand down the front of the dog’s face.
Mac’s fur changes direction there, like a zipper between his eyes.
“It’s like a cowlick,” she says, her hand rubbing along it. “When I was little, I used to rescue dogs all the time. And then dogs rescued me.”
Article- Anders’ solo tour- August 2021,
(I am including this because GDUI’s esteemed past president, my co-editor, and- most importantly- my dear friend, Penny said I “had to!”- Andrea Giudice)
I find myself here again, facing the retirement of my guide dog.
On February, 18, 2013 I first met Anders. He was a big furry stranger, cute and friendly but an unknown quantity as a partner. He did not bolster my confidence when, moments after meeting him, he exuberantly spun in circles chasing his tail. To make matters more ominous for my belief in him as a guide, he caught his vigorously wagging tail… and promptly fell over! My precise thought, “I am going to die, and die spectacularly!” However, I trust Guide Dogs for the Blind, and his trainer, so I figured I would try to withhold final judgement until I worked him. I am so glad I did, even at 17 months old Anders worked like a veteran guide! I have never had a guide who’s “on/off” switch is so immediately triggered by the presence or removal of the harness. Anders embodies the very essence of leaving work at work- in harness he is a Consummate professional, out of harness he is a goofy lummox!
All these years later, with our time as partners hurdling to its end, I am struggling on so many fronts- with his retirement from work, his imminent absents from my daily life, with the realization that his successor will have the legacy of Anders as my freshest point of reference. Emotions rampage, memories swirl, and there is a low-grade melancholy slithering below it all.
Anders has given Eight and a half years of service to me. He has, without complaint, guided me in the cold, hot, wet, and snow- along both familiar and completely unknown routes. Sure, I give him praise, treats, pats, and ear scritches, however, these truly fall ridiculously short of the mark when measured against all he gives me. Providing him the opportunity to retire, to no longer have life and death decisions to make with each step he takes as my guide, to no longer have all those pesky rules to follow, to have the option to “say no” when given a command- this is the greatest gift I know how to give him; the best way I know to honor his years of work! It was put to me this way recently- he gave me my freedom and independence, now I am giving him his freedom and independence.
I have confessed, in other writings, that capturing the what and how of my relationship with my guides is difficult… well, that has nothing on this. How to convey the depth and breadth of the impact of Anders on my life? How to impress upon you, the reader of this feeble attempt, the inexplicably, staggering, immensity of what I feel? How to capture with mere words the complexity of the bond Anders and I share? How to accurately communicate the dizzying array of emotions tied to our partnership, and his retirement? So many questions, not sure if I have the answers, but I am going to give it my best shot!
Who is this magical, masterful Anders Gus Giudice? He is known by many names- Derbers, Dersey Boy, Ders, Bers, BerGitieBog, AndersDahgon, Augon Daugon, Ahgon Bahgon (or just Ahgon or Bahgon), Auggie Dawggie,
Monster Pantz, Poggy Bear, Mr. Van Anderpantz (Pantz for short), Bawpie, Dear Boy, Pancake, Puddles, Poppycat, Derbawggens (this isn’t even all of them)- no matter the name by which you call him he is most undoubtedly one-of-a-kind!
I have been reflecting on the events, experiences, notable moments, joys and sorrows that all share one distinct feature, I got through them with Anders by my side. For me, all my moments- big and small, happy and sad, joyous and devastating, mad and glad, exciting and run-of-the-mill, adventurous and ordinary, vacation and work-a-day, scary and brave, home and away, frantic scampering and chilled out sauntering, familiar and unknown-are better with a guide by my side. I find myself marking life’s events by which dog I was partnered with when they occurred. So, there has been a flood of event remembrances, momentous and mondain that coincide with the tenure of Anders.
Of course, there are the not so usual, cruises, train, bus, and plane trips, planning and attending conferences- alone or with friends, and so many road trips. The more usual daily life stuff- countless board, committee, and support group meetings, running errands in the neighborhood, walks with friends, visits to family near and far, simply doing life’s stuff. More challenging things like starting, loosing, starting, leaving, and starting jobs, dealing with health crises, having and recovering from surgeries, the apartment flood of 2019, the death of both my amazing Grandmothers, and struggling with all that the pandemic has brought to bear. Certainly, this is only the tip of the iceberg, however, it speaks to the moments that make up the minutes, days, weeks, months and years of the A Team.
Yet, all of this doesn’t touch on the quiet moments, the small things, the enormity of feelings that comprise the hugeness of life with Anders.
The sound of his gentle snores; his madly wagging tail making joyous music; the reassuring feel of his paw laying over my foot; the weight of his gaze as he stares in to my face; sneak attack chair hugs; the sweet sound of him nursing in his sleep; the way he jumps with joy- his front feet clear off the ground- when he finds me what I have asked him to find- the trash, stairs, bench, elevator, pretty much anything; when I am sitting on the floor and he gets in my lap, puts his paws on my shoulders and- oh so gently- nibbles my earlobes; the infuriating, yet somehow endearing, fact that no matter how long the leash- it is always one inch too short for him to reach the perfect busy spot; him acting as my personal weighted blanket when I lay on the floor; my trip down the collar rabbit hole, sure a collar for each month sounded so simple, 20 or so collars later it seems less wise; how he sleeps in the smallest possible circle, yet when he lies on his back and stretches out his legs he fills my entire living room; how he is all rough and tumble, reminding me of a polar bear, when he plays with his dog pals but is all gentle and careful when playing with puppies; snuggling with him in his crate- him in a little ball and me resting my head on his hip; the wonder that he is now so reliable in his house behavior that if I forget to take out the trash he never touches the bag sitting, all enticing like, in the kitchen- this given the rocky start we had with regard to sharing living quarters; the unwavering trust I have in this steadfast, fuzzy, warrior of my independence.
The only stop on the Anders Solo Tour, kicking off in September, is with his retirement family. They, and he, are so perfectly suited to each other! Along with his retirement Mom, he will finally have the human Dad he has been seeking all these years, plus one human sibling and two fuzzy canine ones, and even 2 feline ones. My appreciation and gratitude for the generous gift, to me, they are giving by providing a wonderful, safe, joyous retirement home for my cherished Anders is more vast than the sky, deeper than the ocean, huger than the world!
After many rewrites, word changes, rereads, and tears- this missive needs to wrap up. It is a heartfelt tribute, from a much flawed me to a truly remarkable partner, outstanding guide, and all-around fabulous dog! I have no more words. This is everything I can figure out how to say and nothing close to what I want to convey.
Andrea
Article: Mastercard introduces accessible card for blind and partially sighted people
OCTOBER 25, 2021, PURCHASE, NY
(Excerpted from: https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2021/october/mastercard-introduces-accessible-card-for-blind-and-partially-sighted-people/)
2.2 billion people around the world have visual impairments. Unique notches on the Touch Card’s short side allow the person to distinguish it between a credit, debit or prepaid card
Mastercard extends its commitment to inclusivity by introducing a new accessible card standard for blind and partially sighted people, called the Touch Card. There are few effective ways for the visually impaired to quickly determine whether they’re holding a credit, debit or prepaid card, particularly as more cards move to flat designs without embossed name and numbers. Mastercard is addressing this challenge with a simple yet effective innovation.
“The Touch Card will provide a greater sense of security, inclusivity and independence to the 2.2 billion people around the world with visual impairments, “says Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing and communications officer. “For the visually impaired, identifying their payment cards is a real struggle. This tactile solution allows consumers to correctly orient the card and know which payment card they are using.”
With the new Touch Card, Mastercard has improved upon a current design standard by introducing a system of notches on the side of the card to help consumers use the right card, the right way, by touch alone. The new Touch Card credit cards have a squarish notch; debit cards have a rounded notch; and prepaid cards have a triangular notch. The standard has been designed to work with point-of-sale terminals and ATMs, ensuring it can be deployed at scale.
Mastercard’s concept has been vetted and endorsed by The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in the U.K. and VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired in the U.S. The card was co-designed by IDEMIA, the global leader in Augmented Identity, providing trusted solutions in the physical as well as digital space.
“As the banking industry responds to new trends and developments, it’s critical that any innovation brings progress for everyone, including those with a visual impairment,” says David Clarke, RNIB’s director of services. “We’re very pleased that Mastercard understands how important it is that blind and partially sighted people have equal and independent access to their own finances. “
“Innovation should always be driven by the impulse to include,” adds Rajamannar, who is also the company’s Healthcare president. “With one in seven people experiencing some form of disability, designing these products with accessibility in mind gives them equal opportunity to benefit from the ease and security of a digital world. No one should be left behind.”
Mastercard has been embedding its signature melody at checkout counters worldwide, a signal to everyone – the sight impaired in particular – that their card transaction has gone through successfully.
Mastercard’s launch of the Touch Card underscores its commitment to inclusivity. It follows the introduction of True Name™, designed in support of the transgender and non-binary communities. The company’s commitment as a brand is to not only stand against inequity but to be an agent for change.
Note: Since launch of the Touch Card, the shape of the notches were changed to reflect further refinement of the card.
Article: 10 Things Blocking Your Wi-Fi Signal at Home
There are a surprising number of things in your home—from the type of material your walls are made of to the kind of things you decorate your home with—that can degrade your Wi-Fi signal.
A Word on Router Placement
Before we dig into all the different things that can affect your Wi-Fi signal in your home, let’s start off by talking about Wi-Fi in general, router placement, and how to make the best use of the information we’re about to share.
You’ll never have a home that’s absolutely perfect for a Wi-Fi signal because having a home with stuff in it (including yourself and your family!) impacts Wi-Fi. But you can use an improved understanding of how Wi-Fi works to best place your Wi-Fi router and/or mesh nodes in your home.
It’s useful to think of your Wi-Fi router as a light bulb that radiates Wi-Fi out into the environment just like a lightbulb radiates visible light. Why do we put lights on the ceilings of rooms in our homes? Because that’s the most practical place to put a light bulb if we want the most light to reach the most area of the room without being obstructed by something.
And when we use lighting elsewhere, like a table lamp, we don’t put the table lamp behind a large appliance, we put it where the light can fall where we need it—like beside a reading chair or on our desk.
So as you read through all the different objects and materials here that can impact your Wi-Fi signal, think about ways you can move your Wi-Fi router or adjust the location of your Wi-Fi mesh nodes to avoid the materials that block or absorb the signal.
Decor Can Degrade Wi-Fi
Fish tanks are nice to look at, but you should keep your Wi-Fi gear away from them.
One of the more surprising things that can degrade your Wi-Fi signal is the decor. We tend to think about stuff like concrete walls or other large and weighty things when we contemplate Wi-Fi problems, but there are some interesting examples of decor impacting the signal.
Fish Tanks
Water, for example, is excellent at blocking Wi-Fi signals. Putting your Wi-Fi router right next to a large fish tank is like putting a dampener on it.
You’ll get a fine signal on the side of the tank where the router is located, but you’ll notice a degraded signal on the other side.
Bookshelves
Books are quite dense and, if you put enough of them together, like lining an entire wall with bookshelves, you’ve effectively built yourself a nice big signal dampener. Traversing the length of a long bookcase is even harder for Wi-Fi signals.
It’s best not to put a router or mesh node on a bookshelf at all, but this is especially true if the place you need a strong signal is at the opposite end of a long run of shelves.
Mirrors
Mirrors can also interfere with Wi-Fi signals. The coating that changes a sheet of glass into a mirror is metallic. Large wall mirrors have a bigger impact than smaller mirrors and older mirrors affect Wi-Fi more than newer ones (on account of the older mirrors containing actual silver and not the less expensive backings found in newer mirrors).
TV Sets
Televisions look like black mirrors when they’re off but it’s not the glass that causes the issue, it’s the giant metal shield inside. If you were to take your flat-screen TV apart (or computer monitors for that matter) you’d find that a metal plate covers almost the entire back.
That metal plate serves both as an electromagnetic shield and to beef up the TV’s structural integrity. It also interferes with Wi-Fi signals passing through that space so don’t stash your router right behind your TV.
Metal Decorations
Speaking of metal, metal decor can also impede your Wi-Fi. Metal wall art (even if it’s on the opposite side of the wall from where you hung your router) can impact your signal.
In one memorable case, a neighbor of mine was complaining their Wi-Fi signal was OK upstairs but absolute rubbish downstairs. Upon investigation, I found they had put their router in a large decorative metal basket. The Wi-Fi signal could pass up into the upstairs relatively unimpeded but the router was surrounded by an accidental Faraday cage on the sides.
Appliances Are Like Lead Aprons
A giant fridge is great for storing snacks, not so great for Wi-Fi.
Not everybody has huge antique mirrors in their homes or giant fish tanks. But we all have appliances, and appliances are practically lead aprons when it comes to impeding Wi-Fi signals.
Kitchen Appliances
In the kitchen, the refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and even microwave oven are large metal objects that effectively block Wi-Fi.
When thinking about the layout of your home and the relationship of the router to the devices that need Wi-Fi, don’t overlook how much radio-wave absorbing mass is in the kitchen.
Laundry Appliance and Home Utilities
In the laundry room, your washer and dryer are equally chunky metal objects that are no friend to Wi-Fi. And although they aren’t usually thought of as an “appliance,” exactly, your furnace and water heater impact Wi-Fi signal strength too. (The water heater doubly so, as it’s not just a giant metal cylinder—but it’s filled with water, too!) For folks with the laundry, furnace, and water heater tucked away in the corner of the basement, that’s likely not much of a consideration. But, if you have a first-floor laundry and utility room, then you’ll want to consider your router’s location in relation to it.
Construction Materials Sponge Up Signals
Brick, steel, and concrete make for a cool modern living space, but terrible Wi-Fi signal strength.
Everything else we’ve talked about so far is relatively easy to deal with. If you had your Wi-Fi router sitting on a shelf right next to a giant aquarium or you realized your home office is separated from your router by your kitchen and the laundry room you’re lucky. Moving a router is trivial compared to dealing with the actual construction of your home conspiring against a good Wi-Fi signal.
Drywall Isn’t So Bad
From a Wi-Fi signal transmission standpoint, wood-stud and drywall-covered interior walls are the best. Drywall is practically invisible to Wi-Fi and while wood does absorb some of your Wi-Fi signal studs are fairly small and widely spaced.
Folks with stick-and-drywall type homes will have the best Wi-Fi signal transmission range among all other kinds of home construction.
Steel Studs and Old Lathe Walls Can Be Problematic
If your home has steel-stud construction, the steel studs interfere with the signal. Similar problems arise if you have an older home with lathe and plaster walls instead of drywall. The metal wire used to reinforce the lathe can function as a primitive faraday cage.
The more metal there is in the walls of your home, be it steel studs, wire lathe, or even the foil-lined insulation that was popular in the mid-20th century, the more transmission problems you’ll have.
Concrete Walls Are Terrible for Wi-Fi
Thick concrete walls and concrete floors aren’t particularly common in most residential construction, but there is a notable trend toward homes constructed with insulated concrete forms instead of stick-built construction. Having solid concrete exterior and even interior walls is great for energy bills and surviving tornados but it’s terrible for Wi-Fi transmission. Cinderblock walls aren’t much better, although they don’t dampen the signal as strongly as solid concrete.
And although concrete and steel construction is still fairly uncommon in stand-alone residences—at least in the United States—it’s quite common in newer condos, townhomes, and apartments. If you live in a relatively new multi-person residence, there’s a good chance it’s built with steel and concrete and not wood.
Floors Can Foil You Too
In multi-story homes and/or homes with basements, don’t forget to think about the floor itself. If you have poured concrete floors you have the same problem you’d have with concrete walls.
Foil insulation layers in flooring can cause problems, too. So can the wire grid pattern found in under-floor electric radiant heat, as can the mass of water in found in radiator-based systems. Often times such systems are embedded into concrete floors or just above them which just compounds the problem.
Unlike some of the situations we mentioned earlier on, like you unwittingly put your Wi-Fi router too close to your fish tank or it shared a wall with your hot water heater, it’s a bit tougher to wrestle with the physical structure of your home. You can’t just replace concrete walls with wood ones or change brick to drywall.
In those cases, your best bet, besides paying close attention to your home’s layout and aiming for optimum placement, is to upgrade your router–especially to a mesh system where you can place multiple nodes throughout the home to increase the overall coverage.
Note from the Editor:
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.
Sincerely,
Sarah Calhoun- President, Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Andrea Giudice- Editor
Penny Reeder- Co-editor and GDUI Immediate Past President
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