Dear GDUI Members and Friends,
Welcome to Paws for GDUI – News You Can Use! – VOL. III, NO. 3, June 2023- A Publication of Guide Dog Users, Inc.
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
The weather is changing, schedules are getting busier, and another issue of “Paws” is here! This one is bursting at the seams with information!
Do you love drawings? How about gobs of toys and other cool stuff for your guide? Do you enjoy learning the current goings-on at the guide dog schools? How about honoring guides- current, retired or those frolicking across the Rainbow Bridge? Do you just love learning stuff, sharing stories, and immersing yourself in all things guide dog? Since I know you answered “yes” to all those questions, I have just the thing- It is convention time! There is so much to share about GDUI Convention 2023 that the wealth has been spread across three separate entries. As if all this isn’t enough, in addition, you will find interesting announcements; informational Snip-Its; a yummy recipe; touching, inspiring, and informative articles and stories; read about podcasts you might enjoy, or perhaps already do; have fun with a new column, Toto’s Pawnderings, by my guide dog; and so much more!
One thing that you will not find this time is a message from our wonderful President. I gave her a “pass” this time as she is recovering from multiple surgeries and… who knows what those post-surgery meds might cause her to write! *Just Kidding* Even under such circumstances, President Sarah is a consummate leader!! Please join me in sending her well wishes for a speedy recovery. Super T says “President Sarah, heel!”
To all who contributed items for this issue I send ginormous piles of “thanks!” I encourage everyone to remember how easy it is to get involved- share a favorite podcast; an interesting, silly, absurd, or touching local tidbit; something you wrote yourself or that was written by someone else; a helpful app or other resource; even a yummy recipe, for humans or canines. Remember- guide dogs and blindness/visual impairment are not the only topics of interest to we GDUISters!
Sending cyber hugs and wags- Andrea and Super T
Announcement – Print/Braille Calendars
NLS will be providing print/braille calendars starting this summer. Yes, in the middle of the year. The first calendars will cover a half year plus the first month of 2024. Starting at the end of 2023, subscribers will receive 2024 calendars for the full year.
Calendars are available in two sizes. The larger wall-type calendar will be print/braille. The smaller pocket-sized calendar will most likely be in braille only.
To obtain a calendar(s) you must contact your network library and subscribe. This is similar to subscribing to a magazine. You can request either or both calendars. Once you are subscribed, you will receive the calendar each year unless you stop your subscription. Since these calendars are provided through NLS, each month will feature a book in the NLS Collection. Contact your network library for more information.
Dates you may wish to make note of…
(Editor’s note- now here are some things to fill the pages of those calendars…)
Wednesday June 7, 2023- Digital Accessibility Webinar (Access Ingenuity)
Case Study: Accessible Shopify Website
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Access Ingenuity just launched a new Shopify website (https://accessingenuity.com/). This presentation will review our steps to design the website to be accessible and test the accessibility after launch. In summary, we found the Shopify platform more accessible than expected and only needed a few modifications. Join Michael Parker and Michael Vitagliano to learn how to make an accessible Shopify website. Learning Outcomes: Key accessibility design considerations for Shopify sites. Product page modifications. How to test your Shopify site for accessibility. Meeting ID: 829 5155 7470 | Passcode: 882703 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,82951557470#,,,,*882703# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
Wednesday June 14, 2023- Assistive Technology Webinar — ACVREP CE Approved (Access Ingenuity)
Meet the New RUBY 10
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The video magnifier has a 10-inch touchscreen and three dedicated cameras, and it can magnify letters, magazines, labels, and photos. The swing-out arm allows you to view items in your hand and write. When extended, it also enables full-page OCR. With a button, you can scan pages and have them read aloud. The third camera can see objects at a short distance, such as signs and menus on a wall. Users can utilize cutting-edge magnification features with industry-leading OCR to maximize the reading experience. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they demonstrate the advanced capabilities of the latest low-vision solution from Freedom Scientific, the RUBY 10. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes. How RUBY 10 uses cutting-edge view modes not seen in any other device. Discover different uses of the RUBY 10. How the RUBY 10 differs from the other models. Why having OCR in a portable unit can be a game-changer. Meeting ID: 836 5396 6007 | Passcode: 101322 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,83653966007#,,,,*101322# US (San Jose) Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
Friday June 16, 2023- Blindness and Glaucoma Webinar (Accessible Pharmacy)
12:00PM ET
Please join Accessible Pharmacy Services as we discuss blindness and glaucoma with expert presenters:
Elena Sturman – President & Chief Executive Officer of The Glaucoma Foundation
Dr. Aakriti Shukla, MD – Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Columbia University Medical Center.
This webinar will have captioning and a live ASL interpreter.
Registration is now open for our upcoming Blindness and Glaucoma Webinar!
Click Here to Register for Free
If you have any questions, please send us an email- info@AccessiblePharmacy.com
Thursday, June 22,2023 – Wednesday, July 5 2023- Highbred Conference (GDUI
Guide Dog Users, Inc. 2023 Convention
All events will take place at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, IL. Some , but not all events will be hybrid, and podcasts of all events will be made available after convention. Please note, all scheduled events are in Central Time (CT). Contact information will be shared with registrants via e-mail.
Thursday, June 22, 2023- Annual meeting
You’re Invited to the 2023 National Braille Press Annual Meeting! (National Braille Press)
5:00-7:00 pm
Join us for our Annual Meeting! We will finally be back in person and will live stream the event for those who want to attend virtually
To attend in-person or virtually, you must RSVP
Tuesday June 27, 2023- Free Webinar (NSITE)
Blind, Equity, Inclusion
11:30AM PT, 12:30PM MT, 1:30PM CT, 2:30PM ET, 6:30PM GMT
Learn about BEI (Blind, Equity & Inclusion) and how you can increase your ROI. Recognize unconscious bias; examine “blind spots” in your diversity hiring; recognize “diverse abilities”; identify the bottom line and ROIs of hiring this talent. Presented by NSITE’s DEI Team Rikki Howie & Doug Goist:
Tuesday June 27, 2023- Monthly Discussion Group- 4th Tuesday of the month (Hadley)
Tech It Out
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out
Wednesday June 28, 2023- Assistive Technology Webinar (Access Ingenuity)
JAWS: Tables in Word & HTML
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Many JAWS users avoid tables in both Word and the internet because they don’t have training in navigating tables using JAWS. Along with not navigating a table, people also believe that creating a table in Word is not accessible with JAWS. Join Michael Parker and Marisa Church to learn techniques, apply settings, navigate tables, and create tables using JAWS. Learning Outcomes: Navigating tables in Word. The different ways of navigating a table. Demonstrating column and row titles and how to set them using the JAWS quick settings. Inserting and deleting columns and rows. How to create a table. Navigating tables in HTML. Using smart navigation. | Meeting ID: 867 2021 6234 | Passcode: 157521 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,86720216234#,,,,*157521# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
Article – The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this–the last battle–can’t be won.
You will be sad I understand,
Don’t let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears
You’d not want me to suffer, so.
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me til the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don’t grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We’ve been so close–we two–these years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
-Author Unknown
GDUI Convention 2023- part One!
The 2023 Blessing of the Guide Dogs GDUI Convention Event: Here Are All of the Details and an Important Reminder!
Audrey Gunter
We are seeking the names of your guide dogs, current, retired, and departed, to include in our Annual Blessing of the Guide Dogs convention event. Please share your memories with us soon. We need to hear from you by June 15, at the very latest!
We will Welcome Your Shared Memories and Your Attendance at the hybrid Event at 1:00 PM, CT, on July 5, 2023! If you will be unable to join us in Schaumburg, You will be able to attend the hybrid event on ZOOM.
As we get older our hair begins to gray (Some of us prefer the word, “silver!” Our once strong bodies begin to weaken just a bit. And, our memories-ah, our precious memories begin to grow a little hazy. Some of those precious memories, though, remain just as vivid in our minds’ eyes and in our hearts as the moment our astonished brains locked them into our memory banks forever!
I remember the anxiety welling up in me as I sat there waiting… Is this really happening? The panic had taken up residence inside my heart.
Can you do this? You’re blind! Remember? Blind people need to hang onto sighted people any time they want to do anything… Go anywhere…
Would the dog even like me?…
I had so many doubts and fears, and then –
He jumped into my arms — Tongue licking and tail wagging! At that very first lick, that very first touch, all my fears and doubts subsided, and love — an unconditional love like I’d never experienced before– crept into my heart and continued to grow stronger every day after that!
I didn’t know what I’d ever done to deserve such a huge blessing as my Zack was in my life. But, I knew that I had, indeed, been mightily blessed. I shall always be grateful.
Zack has gone onto a better place now, and his younger brother has followed. Although I may not be able to touch their regal heads or stroke those soft, furry ears, the love in my heart remains with me still, even as I age and other memories dim.
Today Bernie walks by my side, carefully guiding my every step, ensuring safe travels whether in a store, on the street or in our church. Each pup is very different, yet so similar. Each etching their own little section of forever in my heart. Each proven to be such a blessing!
We honor all of our guides who have brought so many blessings into our lives, as we plan the 2023 Blessing of the Guide Dogs which will wrap up our GDUI convention. We welcome all of you, whether or not you’re members of GDUI, to attend and to participate by sharing with us, your guide dogs’ names, and the names of special people in your lives as well. We Welcome Your Shared Memories and Your Attendance at the Hybrid Event at 1:00 PM, CT, on July 5, 2023. Even if you can’t join us in Schaumburg, you will be able to attend via ZOOM, and a podcast will be made available soon afterward.
Laurel Jean and I are honored to have been invited once again to offer a special blessing to future and current guides; retired guides; guides that now live in our hearts but no longer walk by our sides and or anyone of particular importance in our lives
We’ll hold this Blessing in the comfort of our living room, where it’s
nice and cool and there’s endless virtual seating space for a group of any size! The event will begin with some of Laurel Jean’s toe-tapping, finger-snapping, hand-clapping music. We will offer a few words of wit or wisdom, and begin with a prayer for future and current guides. Next we’ll recognize those guides that have hung up their harnesses and are now living a life of relaxation and retirement. Then we will honor our Guides in Glory with a special audio candlelight service in which we chime a bell after each name is called. We’ll end our service by remembering those special souls who have passed on.
To include your retired guide dogs and your Guides of Glory in our honored list, please share their names with us. We plan to host the blessing in our South Carolina living room, toward the end of June and then to share the videotape with GDUI in plenty of time for the planned convention wrap-up event at 1:00 PM, Central Time Zone, on July 5.
Please send your dogs’ names to us by June 15, 2023 and please be sure to indicate if they are working, retired or deceased.
Thanks for honoring our deadline by emailing the information we need to
well in advance of our June 15 deadline. We’ll be eager to hear from you.
Blessings,
Audrey, Bernie and Laurel Jean
Article- An Experience of Canine Cancer
By Ann Chiappetta
This isn’t a prevention story, it’s a story of resilience.
The news hit us like a punch in the stomach. Bailey, my ten-year-old guide dog, had a tumor in his lung. He was being examined by the veterinarian for a routine check and vaccinations. I mentioned he’d been coughing from time to time after he played with our other dog. She suggested an x-ray.
We were shocked at the diagnosis. A golf ball sized growth had been discovered; if I didn’t mention the coughing and our vet didn’t perform the x-ray, Bailey might not be here today.
We drove home, lost in all the what ifs, the fear, and the not knowing how Bailey would respond to treatment.
A few days later a veterinary oncologist from the Schwartzman Animal Medical Center consulted with us. He assured us Bailey was going to get through this, that this isn’t uncommon in older dogs. Bailey would be treated free of charge because he was referred by Guiding Eyes for the Blind and we lived within the geographic area designated to qualify for the consideration.
My husband was also devastated by the news. There is no way to know why or how Bailey became predisposed. Bailey had been with us for eight years. We’d been through cancer with two of our other dogs. We knew how bad it could get. We made the decision to hope for the best. Bailey deserved our best efforts to support him whatever the outcome.
The CT scan was performed and it revealed only the tumor , no other growths appeared to “light up”. This was good. Ten days later, on February 28, we admitted Bailey. We were like zombies, barely sleeping, alerted to the phone. When the call came, I could barely talk. Jerry, my husband, stood with me. The surgeon, Dr. Fusco, was kind and direct. She assured us he did well, there weren’t any complications and the lymph node was biopsied but did not look affected. The tumor was six CM . I thought, no wonder he was coughing when he exerted himself. The chest tube was in place and he was sedated. The lobe where the tumor was found was removed. He now had half a right lung. She warned us sometimes the lung deflates after the surgery and he would remain in ICU until the following evening. She answered all our questions and rang off saying she would call first thing the following morning with an update.
Bailey improved and on day two the chest tube was removed and he was given oral pain medication and the IV was removed.
She said he wasn’t urinating when the outside option was offered and I told her the get busy command. She laughed, chiding herself for not asking this sooner. Later, during our evening check-in, she reported he looked relieved when she gave him the command and got busy.
He came home on day three. I hadn’t realized I’d held my emotions in check until he walked over and put his head in my lap. I shed some tears, sending thoughts of gratitude towards the Gods and the veterinary staff at AMC for helping Bailey pull through. We listened to the doctor review his after care plan and an hour later, we made our way back to the garage. Bailey wore a blue fleece jacket to keep him warm because the right half of his body was shaved. The doctor said the incision would not bother him because the procedure was closed with adhesive. No collar of shame for him. We needed to give him two weeks of rest, nothing strenuous.
We grabbed his medication, got him into the back seat and headed home.
“You know he peed all over the elevator, “my husband informed me.
We both giggled,
“What a good boy,” I said.
Bailey was diagnosed with grade 1 carcinoma. His lymph nodes and other tissue samples were negative. From here he will receive scans every three months. The labbie lumps, what the medical community call lipoma, were also biopsied and the results were negative. He is working and his energy levels are good. He guides me a few times a week and seems to prefer it to being a couch potato all day.
(Editor’s note- After the above few articles, I am dreaming of snuggling with one, or all, of the plush guides in this year’s drawing! Best way ever to soak up tears- cuddling with my guide (it is a fact that dog fur is especially tear absorbent) with a plush guide tucked all up in our snuggle fest business!)
GDUI 2023 Convention part Two!!
2023 Drawing for 3 Plush Pups in Harness!
This year, GDUI is holding a drawing for three plush pups in hand-made leather harnesses, once again thanks to Hava’s extraordinary generosity!
The GDUI Pup House is filled with eager anticipation. The pups have had a lot of fun playing with one another and learning house manners. Finally,
On July 5, our pups will find out about their new “pet parents” and “forever homes”. You could be holding a winning ticket allowing you to welcome one of these plush guide dogs into your own home!
Tickets for individual pups are 3 for $5.00 or 7 for $10.00.
You may purchase tickets via PayPal (This does not require you to have a PayPal account) on our website (https://guidedogusersinc.org/gdui-2023-drawing-for-3-plush-pups-in-harness/)
You may contact GDUI’s Office Manager, Lynn Merrill, by phone:
1-866-799-8436, in the U.S.
These pups get along so well together and are a bit anxious about being separated. Feel free to purchase tickets for more than one. (They are all made by quality toy makers.)
Let us introduce them to you.
list of 1 items
- Charlie, black lab: (lying down position, 22” long and 9” tall, made by Douglas Toys) He is so proud to be named after a man who loved labs and was
loved and respected by his GDUI family.
list end
list of 1 items
- Lincoln, German shepherd: (lying down position, 26” long and 13” to top of standing ears tall, collector’s item made by Steiff) stately Leader, vigilant
but also playful.
list end
list of 1 items
- Wrigley, golden retriever: (sitting position, 12” tall, manufactured by Mary Meyer) Great worker but off-duty, very athletic and loves to play frisbee.
list end
Ticket sales will end at 10:00 AM Central Time on Wednesday, July 5 and drawing winners will be announced during the GDUI Wrap-up, Awards and Blessing session at our 2023 GDUI Convention.
Book review- Confessions of a guide dog: the blonde leading the blind DB75126
Carlson, Mark
A Review from Dan Tevelde
[Editor’s Note: The following review reflects only Mr. Develde’s personal opinion. We thank him for sharing his review in our publication.]
First, from NLS: Author recounts how, like his father and brother, he gradually became legally blind because of retinitis pigmentosa. Describes the relationship that developed
between him and his guide dog Musket and the work and home life they have shared since meeting in 2002. 2011.
From Dan:
Do we need more books about guide dogs in the NLS collection? I had high hopes for this book and thought it would cheer me up. I like dogs and have had
two guide dogs. I couldn’t finish this book, so my review is short. The book is predictable. The author focuses too much on how sighted people react to
guide dogs and reinforces the fact that it is ok to let sighted people fawn over the dogs as though they were models in a fashion show. I wish the author
had focused on his adjustment to hearing and vision loss. I didn’t mind the details about getting his dog and returning home, but this information has
been reported in many better books.
The NLS narration was tolerable but hearing the narrator change voices as though a dog was speaking was nauseating. Dogs don’t speak though they have emotions.
I can’t recommend this book. There is a sequel, but I won’t bother with it.
Podcasts- Check these out!
Top Tech Tidbits Podcast
Tune in each week as we announce the Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits of the week. These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in adaptive technology, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers.
https://toptechtidbits.com/podcast
Insights & Sound Bites audio podcast
Insights & Sound Bites: “It’s Okay to Ask for Help”
Listen in as people facing vision loss share their insights about what has helped them cope and adjust.
Listen to Carol’s story as she shares how owning her changing vision gave her the drive to discover useful resources and realize that it’s important—and okay—to ask for help when she needs it.
Want more? Find all episodes here
Double Tap TV:
Double Tap TV is a weekly tech show on AMI-tv, (also available on CBC Gem in Canada and YouTube). Each week join hosts Steven Scott (@blindguytech) and Marc Aflalo (@marcaflalo) as they help viewers better understand how technology can assist in everyday life. Its tech from an accessible point of view! The show features interviews with some of the biggest names in consumer tech and features up and coming companies and services.
https://www.livingblindfully.com/episode-
Email: feedback@doubletap.online
Living Blindfully is the podcast devoted to helping you live your best life with blindness or low vision. Sight is a highly dominant sense. If you have it, naturally you’ll use it for a lot of things. But if you don’t have it, or you don’t have as much sight as you used to, it’s still possible to live a rich, full life. This podcast is all about how it’s done.
We discuss tips and tricks, but we frankly discuss the barriers too, ranging from attitudinal barriers to accessibility barriers and more.
You’ll hear plenty about technology on Living Blindfully, because when blind people have the skills to use it and when the tech is behaving itself, it’s key to functional and economic independence. Whether it’s a tech question from our community, a handy tip about getting the most from your screen reader, a demonstration of a cool new app for your smartphone, or discussion about a serious accessibility issue that is causing problems, you’ll learn about it on Living Blindfully. We geek out sometimes, but we always make a point of bringing people along for the ride and making sense of it all.
But technology is simply a tool to help us live blindfully, so our podcast discusses much more. The topics on each episode vary a lot, but it’s not uncommon to hear discussion about travel, cooking, relationships, self-care, sleep, history and even politics. After all, blind people have as diverse a mix of interests and opinions as anyone else.
While we welcome sighted allies and family members who have an interest in what blind people are thinking and talking about, Living Blindfully is unapologetically for blind people, by blind people. There are other great places to go to learn about how blind people do what we do. But there are few places that proudly cater to the blind community. So, if you’re not blind but you’re interested in an unfiltered discussion about what’s occupying the blind community, you’ve come to the right place and you’re very welcome.
Jonathan Mosen is the host and facilitator of Living Blindfully, and often conducts interviews and produces product demonstrations. But you’ll also hear from our engaged community of listeners who share their thoughts in writing and in audio. You’re very welcome to contribute on anything you hear during the show, or something new that’s on your mind.
Website: https://www.livingblindfully.com/
Toto’s Pawnderings-
Hi all,
My name is Toto(preferred pronunciation- Toetoe), Andrea’s GDB yellow lab guide. I consider myself a co-editor of “Paws” as I patiently listen, Every Single time! as my Mom mumbles to herself through the compilation of this publication. As I am such a clever boy, Mom says so all the time, I have decided to use this forum to quench my thirst for the answers to so very many questions! I know, I have heard all those cautionary tails of cats and their curiosity ,however, I think that is a thing humans fabricated to keep us dogs from writing just such a column as this. You know, kind of like how Gramma told Mom and Uncle Nicholas they couldn’t swim for 30 minutes after eating- she really just needed a few minutes to catch her breath from wrangling them! *big doggie grin*
So, here is how this is going to work… each issue will contain a question or scenario. Then you will respond, via e-mail, with what behavior your human partner offered in a similar situation. If it happens that you haven’t wondered about one of the questions or found yourself in such a kerfuffle as I present, I want your speculation! After all, who better than you to be able to determine predictive behavior in your human? I recognize that “Paws” is collaborative, hence, I am hoping you will fetch a few minutes on the computer to send your answers, as well as suggestions and first-paw experiences for future installments of Toto’s Pawnderings.
Okay, enough discussion, here is the first scenario-
You are out for the last “busy” of the day. On this particular night the place you are using is an area of shared ground, not your private yard. It is late and no one, not even one person, is around. (don’t worry you and your human are totally safe!) Additionally, on this particular night, any other humans you may share kennel space with are not with you, it is just you and your human partner.
Being the eager to please canine you are, you promptly do “BusyBusy” (my Mom’s silly human word for when I defecate). After doing the oh boy you did “BusyBusy!” song and dance, your human realizes – even though it absolutely never happens … wait for it… they somehow have left the building with no bags- not a single one anywhere on them, or you!
What would your human partner do?
A, Leave it there, after all, what the “BLEEP BLEEPITY BLEEP!” are they going to do?
B, Leave it there but get help locating it in the morning?
C, Spin in circles, much like you might have just done, and yell for help while stamping their feet with tears of frustration streaming?
D, After casting about for a leaf or similar detritus, with no success, pick it up in some item of their clothing- a sock, shirt, bra Etc.- and deposit it in a bag or their “Busy” spot (the toilet) once back inside?
E, After casting about for a leaf or similar detritus, pick up in their naked hand and deposit it in a bag or their “Busy” spot (the toilet) once back inside?
Okay- now it is your turn. Send your answer, be honest, all answers will be kept anonymous- a journalist never reveals a source!
This is a very low-tech deal. It is just a fun, judgment free, sharing of funny, interesting, lighthearted common experiences. As such, just send your answer to dawgmawm@gmail.com and I will put a report of the responses in the next “Paws”. Again, I will never share names!
From the Kennel Kitchen- Yummy!
(Guide Dogs for the Blind- Pork Tenderloin Dry Rub )
From the San Rafael Campus, here’s a simple yet satisfying rub recipe to spice up the pork tenderloin served in the school’s popular rice bowls.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar or coconut sugar
1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 ½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
(Makes enough dry rub for a one or one- and one-half pound pork tenderloin.)
Directions
Add all ingredients into a large bowl and mix until well combined.
Place pork tenderloin in the bowl with the seasoning mixture, and toss to fully coat.
Bake in a 350-degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Note from the editor- I was lucky enough to be spoiled and have my appetite indulged by GDB’s amazing chef on the San Rafael campus, what a total treat!!
GDUI Convention 2023- part Three!
The Guide Dog Users, Inc. 2023 Convention Program: Highlights and Schedule
After three long years of cautious isolation, we in GDUI are so pleased to share our 2023 Guide Dog Users, Inc. convention program with you. There’s something here for everyone!
Do you love drawings for prizes? Plush puppies in hand-made harnesses? The suspense of wondering who will win, and who will be bringing the labbie or the golden or the GSD pup home with them? Our annual drawing is back. Watch for all of the details! Buy some tickets, and plan to attend the GDUI Luncheon and Wrap-Up event on Wednesday, July 5 to break bread with treasured friends and get answers to all of those questions!
Do you look forward to hearing from all of the guide dog schools at our conventions? This year, we’re dedicating nearly three hours to those conversations, and there’s no need to make air travel reservations for that event – because everyone can attend the Guide Dog Schools update on ZOOM!
Again, this summer, we’re stocking all kinds of canine paraphernalia and offering it for sale in the GDUI Lounge! And, your favorite guide dog instructors will be welcoming you when you are wandering through exhibits, roaming through the hotel corridors and the convention center venues, and meeting and greeting and helping in the relief areas.
We have something for everyone, whether you can be with us in person in Schaumburg or you’ll be hanging out on ZOOM, no matter if you’re a seasoned guide dog Handler or just beginning to wonder if a guide dog is the right life-style choice for you. Check out our convention program below, e-mail or call us at 866.799.8436 if you have questions, register for only $10.00, to attend and to help us cover our convention expenses, and make plans to get together in-person or on ZOOM. We are so happy to be planning our convention again!
Week Number One:
All events are available online or via telephone on ZOOM. Contact information will be shared with registrants via e-mail. Please note that all event times are in Central Time (CT).
Thursday, June 22, 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM, CT. The Guide Dog School Updates
Come to our double-plus session(If we skip the break, we’ll have two hours and 45 minutes!) to hear from all of the guide dog training program representatives. Learn how each program is recovering from the disruptions that COVID caused, and what they expect as each looks toward achieving a new kind of normal.
Friday, June 23, 11:30 AM, CT. A Focus on Your Guide Dogs’ Eye Health
How and what do dogs see? Do humans and dogs share some of the same eye diseases? Do some breeds commonly used as guide dogs have a predisposition to certain eye conditions?
Dr. Alexandra Van Der Woerdt, DVM, MS, DACVO, DECVO, who is Senior Veterinarian, Specialist in Ophthalmology,
Service Head of Ophthalmology,
Director of the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Institute for Postgraduate Education, at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York, NY, will be answering these questions and more.
Saturday, June 24, 11:30 AM, CT. The Unique Matching Process
How do they do it? What considerations go into matching just the right dog with the person who has some unique characteristics or needs that must be addressed? how do instructors figure it out? Alyssa Otis, GDMI/Outreach Specialist, for Leader Dogs for the Blind, in Rochester Hills, MI, will describe how Leader arrives at so many perfect matches!
Week Number Two:
All events will take place at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, IL. Some , but not all events will be hybrid, and podcasts of all events will be made available after convention. Please note, all scheduled events are in Central Time (CT).
Tuesday, July 4, 2:30 PM, CT Traveling to Paradise with your Guide Dog
Hawaii is blessed in so many, many ways. Its status as the only state in our nation that does not have rabies is just one of them. Hawaii aims to keep it that way! Their strict animal admittance procedures, which are administered by their state Department of Agriculture, may seem daunting to guide dog users who plan to bring their dogs with them when they travel to Hawaii. But, Vickie Kennedy, a guide dog user herself, knows how to smoothly navigate those bureaucratic waters! Whether you’re traveling on a jet plane or by cruise ship Vickie, who has lived in Hawaii for many years, loves helping to ensure that your trip to paradise is nothing but the delightful experience it should be! Come and meet Vickie Kennedy, from Ewa Beach, HI, and let her help smooth your way to paradise! This event is in-person only.
Wednesday, July 5, 12:00 PM, CT. The GDUI luncheon
Mingle with friends and their guide dogs, and enjoy the Chef’s Choice of pasta and vegetable with a dessert of white chocolate mousse cake, adorned with a blackberry coulis. This is an in-person event. Stayin the room, or connect with ZOOM for the follow-up presentations described below.
Wednesday, July 5, 1:00 PM, CT.
The GDUI Wrap-up Event
A highlight of every convention, our final wrap-up features announcements of the winners of our annual GDUI awards, drawing of the winning tickets that will decide which of our three plush pups in harness will travel to which homes of our 2023 drawing ticket winners, and the moving annual Blessing of the Guide Dogs event which honors past, present and future guide dogs, puppy raisers, handlers, and those who love them. Margie Donovan, Chair of the GDUI Awards Committee, from Folsom, CA, will introduce her committee and present the 2023 GDUI awards. Audrey Gunter and Laurel Jean Walden, from Charleston, SC, will lead the blessing.
Article: My match-a-versary adventure!
Vickie Curley
Greetings! My name is Vickie, and I would like to invite you to come along with me on a very special trip back in time, five years ago, to March 7, 2018. Okay, here we go, hold on tight as we travel back to a snowy Wednesday morning at The Seeing Eye, located in Morristown, New Jersey.
Let me set the scene for you. I had traveled to the New Jersey area several days earlier, to place my retired guide in his new forever home. After bidding farewell to my former guide, I was picked up by my instructor from a hotel located in Morristown, and we drove together to The Seeing Eye’s campus. It is now around two days later, on Wednesday morning.
Wow, I can’t believe that I am actually here! The travel is done, unpacking has happened, and all the introductory lectures have been given– and now it is time! In just a few minutes, there will be a knock on my door.
Here I sit, on the bottom of my bed, leash in hand, just waiting to hear that knock.
Oh! What is that? I hear feet! Oh, they walked past my door. I guess it is not my turn yet.
Why is time going by so slowly? Wait a minute! Someone is coming. … But, it’s a woman’s voice. My instructor is a man.
Oh, how cool is that! I hear my neighbor meeting her new dog right now! I think it is a Labrador because I hear a very exuberant tale hitting the wall.
Oh wow! Now I hear my neighbor across the hall getting to meet her new friend. When will it be my turn? I guess I am just a bit impatient. I am also quite nervous. This happens to me every time I meet a new guide. You would think I would be used to it by now, as I have done this many times before. But, every time that excited nervousness is definitely present.
Okay, I am starting to get silly. This is my way of dealing with excited nervousness. The snowy weather outside has caused me to think of Christmas-time. Yes, what a wonderful Christmas present I will be getting soon! Well, I hope so, anyway. They didn’t forget me now did they?
Wait, I think I hear… Is it? Yes! It is my instructor, and he has stopped at my door. There it is! The knock, the knock I have been waiting for!
There is my instructor’s voice, asking if he has permission to come in.
“I’m not home,” I say in a silly tone. Then, quickly, I follow that up with a very heart-felt, “Yes, please come in.”
“I have for you a big male German shepherd named Astro. Call him to you.”
“Astro, come!”
Oh, my goodness, he is so cute! His big, beautiful head fills both of my hands. He is soft. And very friendly.
My instructor takes my hand and shows me where all of Astro’s different colors are.
“What a beautiful dog he is!” my instructor says.
As my instructor leaves my room, Astro gives him a look, but turns back around to me. Now, this is when the real work begins. The Puppy Raisers have done all they can, the Seeing Eye instructors have done everything that they can, now it is up to Astro and me to establish a good solid team.
…
Okay, now we are back in the present. It is 2023, and there are still times when I cannot believe that Astro and I have already been a team for five years.
I am sure that many reading this will have experienced your own very special dog guide introductions. I want to share our story with all the long-time dog handlers as well as those of you who recently met your first dog guide, and to anyone who is in that endlessly long queue, waiting for a class date. This article is for all of you! My hope is that our story will bring a smile to your face as you think about all of your own memories and imagine the ones you and your dog guides will make in the future.
All the Lord’s blessings from Vicki and Astro.
Announcement- hail an Uber by calling a number
Tech-VI announcement list
Email: Tech-VI+subscribe@groups.io
Kyle Wiggers-May 17, 2023
https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/17/you-can-now-hail-an-uber-by-calling-a-number/
Uber’s making it easier to hail a ride — no app required.
The company announced Wednesday at its annual Go-GET event in New York City
that it’s launching a new ride-hailing option for people who aren’t as familiar
navigating a smartphone. By dialing the toll-free number 1-833-USE-UBER (1-833-
873-8237) in the U.S., customers can speak with an agent in English or Spanish to
request a ride on-demand or reserve one for a future trip.
Uber has piloted ride-hailing via phone before. It launched the program in select
regions around December 2020, specifically Arizona and Florida. But the company
temporarily paused the service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the feature is
back and more widely available.
When calling, people who have an existing Uber account can tell the agent and use
an existing payment method on file. If they don’t have an account, they can pay with
a credit card by phone and the agent can create an account for them.
Here’s how it works:
*Customers call Uber from a phone to talk to a team member.
*Once the ride has been confirmed, Uber sends information via text message
about the ride, including the driver’s name and picture, license plate number
and their estimated time of arrival.
*Finally, the customer receives another text message when the driver arrives
at their pickup location.
*What about tips? Booking an Uber via phone doesn’t provide a way to do that
— surely to the chagrin of drivers. But Uber points out that riders can give
cash tips if they choose to do so.
“Providing customers with more ways to use Uber remains top priority and we’re
excited to nationally expand this updated offering,” a spokesperson told TechCrunch
via email.
Article- (from Access Information News for Monday, May 29, 2023- Volume 912)
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/ain2023/05292023/index.html
Meet Blind Social Media Influencer Lucy Edwards | Motto: “Blind, Not Broken” | Vogue
Social media sensation Lucy Edwards pens a personal essay for British Vogue on the power of her blindness:
“It’s Given Me A Fire And A Purpose”: Lucy Edwards On Being “Blind, Not Broken”
Social media sensation Lucy Edwards pens a personal essay for British Vogue on the power of her blindness.
BY LUCY EDWARDS
17 May 2023
“Its Given Me A Fire And A Purpose” Lucy Edwards On Being “Blind Not Broken”
Courtesy of Lucy Edwards
People are often shocked when I say that going blind was the best thing that ever happened to me, but it’s true. I am more empowered today than I ever have been, but it’s been a long and winding road to get here.
As a child growing up in Birmingham, I wanted to be a lawyer, but in the last year of my A-levels, I lost my vision as a result of a rare genetic condition called Incontinentia Pigmenti (IP), and had to dictate every last comma and full-stop of my exams. I felt like I had been betrayed by my body. Having grown up with my sight, I battled with a constant sense of injustice about what I could no longer do. Every teenager is in the process of finding themselves, but not everyone has to reckon with one of their organs slowly failing at the age of 17.
While I got into law school, I soon dropped out due to my mental health. After the stress of my college studies, I finally had a moment to reckon with the reality of my blindness, and it hit me like a tonne of bricks. While I initially struggled, my family, guide dog Olga (she has since retired, I now have Miss Molly) and partner of 10 years were by my side every step of the way as I adjusted to my new reality. My sister has autism, therefore I am her voice and she is my mirror and eyes. I learned to communicate for the both of us even though I couldn’t see. I feel so understood by her.
It didn’t take long for my perspective to begin to shift. When you lose such an important part of yourself, you have to reevaluate who you are and what you’re really made of. I know now that the day I lost my vision was the worst day of my life, and I survived it – meaning I can handle whatever else gets thrown at me. With the help of therapy sessions, I realised I didn’t need to hate being sighted in order to love being blind, either. My motto became “blind, not broken”, and I wanted people to know I was happy and that I loved myself more than ever.
And so I decided to become a journalist. Dropping out of law school may have felt like a massive failure at the time, but it meant I was able to apply for the BBC’s Extend programme in London. Being in the city presented certain challenges – jumping in a taxi for the first time felt colossal to me – but I wouldn’t be where I am now without that experience.
Meeting my boss at the BBC, who is also blind, was a watershed moment. I had so few role models around me who were Disabled at that point, and so often the medical establishment makes you feel like a problem to be “fixed” as a blind person. The reality is quite the opposite: it’s the world around us that needs to be fixed.
Gradually, I began posting on social media and launched my YouTube channel, establishing a bigger and bigger community for myself online. Often, I receive comments from families, who thank me for showing them that there’s a future for their children. I really care about my followers and regularly post on TikTok and Instagram to give people a glimpse into how I operate. One of my viral videos is “How Does A Blind Girl Do Their Make-Up”, for example, which is fun but also informative and will hopefully inspire a shift towards greater inclusivity in the beauty industry.
As much as I love make-up, navigating beauty aisles is often difficult because every product feels the same. My fiancé – whom I now live with in Birmingham – helps me braille everything that I purchase, but I’m not shy about calling for greater change on a big scale. As an ambassador for Pantene, I’ve championed NaviLens – a code printed onto bottles that can be scanned with a phone camera. It would’ve made such a difference if I’d had that when I first went blind. Clothes, too, are a big part of my life. I love to wear bright colours, and consult my visual memory of those colours to help me decide what to wear.
The first thing I think about in the morning, though, isn’t fashion or beauty. It’s children who are losing their sight, and how I can make them realise that it’s all going to be okay. Better than okay. I want them to believe in and see a bright future for themselves, because I didn’t at 17. I thought it was the most terrifying thing in the world to go blind, but it’s not. I’m completely fine; my eyes just don’t work as well as they did before.
Ten years on, I have a stronger sense of self and more confidence than I ever did. My blindness has given me a fire and a purpose – not to mention an innate understanding of right and wrong. I work hard to get what I want. And I know that this is just the beginning – for me, and for the blind community.
Article- Follow Your Dog
(Pine Tree Guide Dog User’s, PTGDU, monthly news update- May 2023)
By- Sue W. Martin, Member- Pine Tree Guide Dog User’s
As summer approaches, chances are good you’ll be traveling with your guide dog in new places. This introduces unknown variables to your routine.
I’ll never forget the first time I walked around Bar Harbor. As I approached the first intersection, my dog came to a halt. I felt her pull to the left but resisted. Surely I was at the correct spot to cross the street. The parallel traffic was to my right. The perpendicular traffic just kept moving whenever there was a pause in the parallel traffic. Surely I was at the crosswalk but the traffic wasn’t yielding.
My dog pulled to the left again and, this time, I went with her. She went about six feet and turned to face the street. Then, as though by magic, the perpendicular traffic yielded. I crossed the street.
At the next intersection, I willingly followed my dog as she, again, pulled to the left. After moving about six feet, she turned smartly to face the street. The traffic yielded and we crossed.
What was going on? Many of the crosswalks in Bar Harbor are offset, requiring the pedestrian to move into the perpendicular street to line up with the crosswalk. We figured it out but only after some tense moments.
I remember training with my first dog. I worried about the dog being right and me being wrong. Over the years, I’ve learned my lesson. Follow your dog.
Article- What To Know About Orthopedic Dog Beds
(THE FAMILY HANDYMAN: https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/orthopedic-dog-beds/)
Janelle Leeson Updated: May 18, 2023
Dogs of any size and age can benefit from some extra support. Discover how an orthopedic dog bed can ease your dog’s sore joints.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
While 86% of pups have a dog bed, only 18% of their pet parents prioritize orthopedic qualities, according to the 2023-2024 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey.
Perhaps they should. A study by The University of Pennsylvania shows orthopedic beds play a significant role in alleviating joint pain, enhancing mobility and improving the overall quality of life for our canine companions.
Here’s what to know about the benefits of orthopedic dog beds, plus how to pick the best dog bed for your pup.
Do Dogs Need Orthopedic Beds?
When your dog needs more joint support, an orthopedic dog bed can help. They’re ideal for dogs with arthritis and joint pain, or those healing from surgery or an injury.
Before using an orthopedic dog bed, talk to your veterinarian. They might suggest other ways to manage your dog’s pain.
Choosing an Orthopedic Dog Bed
Not all orthopedic dog beds are made the same. Here are some key features to consider, depending on your dog’s needs.
- Size: Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Luckily, so do orthopedic beds. Select one your dog can comfortably lay on. If they’re hanging over the edge of the bed, it’s too small.
- Materials: The bed should be thick, but your dog shouldn’t sink into it. They should have a certain level of firmness. Two popular materials are memory foam and egg-crate foam.
- Safety considerations: Look for a bed with a bottom that prevents your dog from slipping when they lay down or get up. If your dog is prone to chewing, look for one that can stand up to teeth and paws.
- Design: These vary. Flat orthopedic beds are easy for dogs to get in and out of, but they don’t have neck support. If your dog needs or prefers neck support, a bolster-style bed might be better for them.
- Ease of cleaning: This is important. Consider a water-resistant bed with a removable cover that can be thrown in the washing machine.
Best Orthopedic Dog Beds
We’ve selected four highly-rated models that are supportive, durable and safe.
Best Cooling Orthopedic Dog Bed
VIA MERCHANT
If you live in a warm climate, consider the Sealy Lux Pet Dog Bed. It features three layers of orthopedic foam: Two to take pressure off joints, and one of charcoal foam that absorbs dog odors.
Unlike other orthopedic beds, this also comes with a gel layer that dissipate s heat, keeping your dog cool. Other features of this bolster bed include a removable, machine-washable cover; waterproof liner; and a non-slip base. Choose from four sizes, from small to extra-large.
Best Orthopedic Bed for Large Dogs
VIA MERCHANT
The Bedsure Jumbo Dog Bed is one of the largest models, measuring 54 inches long by 44 inches wide. It also comes in smaller sizes, ranging from XS to XXL.
It’s like having two beds in one, with cozy Sherpa fabric on one side and cool Oxford fabric on the other, plus CertiPUR-US egg-crate foam in between. The XXL model is reasonably priced for its size, at about $80. No wonder this bed earned a 4.6-star rating on Amazon with more than 40,000 reviews.
Best Orthopedic Bed with Neck Support
VIA MERCHANT
For dogs who prefer a little extra support, look no further than the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed with Headrest. This plush bed boasts a generous seven-inch thickness and three layers of orthopedic foam for ultimate comfort.
The exceptional warranty guarantees 90% retention of shape and thickness for 10 years. Moreover, it stands out as one of the few models with clinically proven orthopedic benefits.
Best Budget Orthopedic Dog Bed
VIA MERCHANT
The Milliard Quilted Padded Orthopedic Dog Bed will keep your pup happy and comfortable thanks to its egg-crate luxe foam, plush pillow top and non-slip bottom.
You’ll be happy, too, because it’s easy to clean. Just remove the cover and toss it in the wash. While it’s made of quality materials, it doesn’t come with the hefty price tag of some other orthopedic beds (it’s about $37).
Article- 34 Of The Coolest Pet Products I’ve Seen So Far In 2023
Originally Published: May 18, 2023
by Jenae Sitzes
Read in BuzzFeed: https://apple.news/AuPZlLVF_Sx2F28ffc0cvXA
Shared from Apple News
(editor’s note- I randomly selected a few items from the list to share, the entire list is pretty interesting and has items for, not only dogs and cats, but fish; rabbits; guinea pigs; hedge hogs; and even bearded dragons!)
A mini pet hair remover for tackling that *deeply* embedded fur in pet beds, towers, sofa cushions, carpeted stairs, and anywhere else they spend a ton of time lounging. Each edge has a different teeth length + density, designed for different cleaning modes, like deep cleaning a spot vs. broad strokes across a wide area. It can help to work this over an area first before vacuuming if that fur is really stuck in there.
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in six colors).
(available in six colors).
An adorable stuffed duck (boasting 17,000+ 5-star ratings!) that might not look very tough, but reviewers say it’s held up over months of energetic chewing and tugging. This is one you won’t be throwing in the graveyard of toys that got destroyed in approximately 10 seconds. A dog sitting next to four of the duck toys in different colors
Get it from Amazon for $6.72. You can find the mini version for small dogs here. The duck comes in multiple colors, and you’ll receive one at random.
An enzymatic dog toothpaste that’ll help you keep your pup’s dental hygiene under control (and improve that stinky breath you get a whiff of every time they lick your face). This can help you handle that scary built-up tartar on their teeth at home instead of shelling out for a professional cleaning — and many dogs love the taste too!
This no-rinse, non-foaming toothpaste comes in two yummy flavors that dogs will love (peanut butter or poultry!). For best results, it’s recommended to brush their teeth at least 2–3 times per week.
Get it from Amazon for $6.55+ (available in two sizes and two flavors as well as a kit).
A squeaky chew toy toothbrush to disguise dental care as playtime, since the “spikes” will work to safely clean their chompers as they chew on it. Some reviewers even reported their pup had fresher-smelling breath afterward!
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes for small, medium, and large dogs).
Himalayan yak cheese chews made to outlast your dog’s heavy gnawing — at least longer than standard rawhide and bully sticks. They’re 100% all natural and free of lactose, gluten, and grains.
Get a pack of three small chews from Amazon for $11.48 (available in other pack sizes and in chew sizes for larger dogs).
Announcement- Accessible Pharmacy Services
A home delivery pharmacy service specializing in individuals who have disabilities.
Accessible Pharmacy Services is the largest blind-owned healthcare company in the country and the only provider of its kind.
Accessible Pharmacy Services was founded by blind and sighted experts in the areas of accessibility, technology and medicine and we are the only provider of its kind. We originally focused our efforts on the blind and low vision community and realized the work we were doing benefitted many other populations including individuals who are deaf, DeafBlind, neurodiverse, and more. We work closely with our patients to address each of the points below. By doing so, we are able to show aggregate outcome improvements of 33%!
Patient Education and Support
Medication Management
Diabetes Management
Clinical Pharmacist Consultation and Access
Genomic Testing
Extreme Simplifiation
Cost Containment
We do everything for you:
We will coordinate all of the details with your doctor and your insurance provider helping to keep costs as low as possible
We work with our patients to try different packaging and labeling solutions to maximize compliance and healthcare benefits
Accessible packaging, accessible labeling and home delivery are all FREE.
We are often asked how someone becomes a patient of Accessible Pharmacy Services:
Simply call us for a free consultation to find out if we are a good fit for you: 1-888-633-7007
After your conversation with our Care Coordinator, they will reach out to your insurance to confirm eligibility. They will also contact your current pharmacy and prescribing physicians to transfer your information. You can also connect with us through the Be My Eyes Specialized Help section or email us to initiate this process: info@AccessiblePharmacy.com
If you would like an Accessible Pharmacy Team Member to speak with your organization:
Please call 1-888-633-7007, or send us an email at info@AccessiblePharmacy.com.
If you are a provider and want to refer a patient to us:
Please have the patient give us a call at 1-888-633-7007. You can also call us with the patient.
Accessible Pharmacy Services, LLC
8 Neshaminy Interplex Dr., Ste. 102, Feasterville-Trevose, PA 19053
1-888-633-7007, info@AccessiblePharmacy.com.
Snip it- Access Information News for Monday, May 29, 2023 – Volume 912
https://accessinformationnews.com/
Radio and the Blind: An Evolving Relationship- Radio World
In the 1920s, newspaper articles called radio a godsend for the blind. It was both educational and entertaining, and it would help them to feel less isolated. Today, many people with visual impairment live independent lives and enter a variety of occupations, including broadcasting. Thanks to technologies like screen-reading software, most internet websites are accessible. And a growing number of movies and television programs now have audio descriptions. So what role does radio play in a world in which blind people have so many information and entertainment choices?
Introducing Beyond Barriers, Our New Accessibility Travel Column- Conde Nast Traveler
Television host and travel writer Sophie Morgan will cover the latest news, hotels, restaurants, destinations, and tech, helping disabled travelers feel safe, secure, and inspired to travel the world:
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/introducing-beyond-barriers-our-new-accessibility-travel-column
Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired Announces Podcasts Now Available By Phone
Kirby Lindgren, Director of Professional Outreach
I’m delighted to share with you that we have a new way to enjoy our Hadley podcasts, Hadley Presents and Insights & Sound Bites. Just give a call. They’re on the phone! I love being able to share all that our podcasts have to offer to those who may not be online. So, the number to call, and share with anyone who you think may enjoy listening to our podcasts this way, is (847) 558-1317. Exciting, right?
Snip It- From Pine Tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU) monthly news update, May 2023
Congratulations to Lukas Franck, Senior Consultant at The Seeing Eye! Lukas received the prestigious International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) Ken Lord Award. Presented in Vancouver, Canada at the 2023 IGDF biennial International conference for guide dog professionals, this award represents IGDF’s highest honor.
Join the club. The Guiding Eyes for the Blind Graduate Council is sponsoring a book club featuring books about guide dogs. Everyone is welcome to join. For more information, email the Council at gebgradcouncil@gmail.com.
Got multiple dogs in the household? PTGDU member Brad Strause recommends attaching different sounding bells to your dogs to better tell who’s who. He writes that sometimes the jingling of a dog’s tags just isn’t enough to keep track of their dogs. A small bell attached to the collar can be a big help. A carabiner clip can let you easily take the bell on or off when needed. Some bells are pretty dull and others clang like church bells. Different sizes and different brands often give distinctly different tones and loudness levels. Here’s a few bell options that sound clear but not overwhelming.
Noble Bells – Handmade in USA
Beau’s Bells
Article- Does your pet need to visit the dentist?
(https://www.pawtracks.com/getting-started/dog-teeth-cleaning-guide/)
By Rebekkah Adams, May 4, 2023
We all take our dog’s health very seriously, but you might not realize that needs to include dental health, too.
Does your pet need to visit the dentist? Here’s how a dog teeth cleaning works
It seems scary but they won’t feel or remember a thing
In theory, we all go to the dentist every six months to get our teeth cleaned, which helps keep the pearly whites in check and also contributes to overall health. Surprisingly, our pets also benefit from annual (or biennial) dental treatments. While these cleanings do wonders for your dog’s teeth, they can make owners nervous and burn a hole in their wallets to boot. Here’s why you should schedule regular cleanings for your pup.
How do I know if my dog’s teeth need cleaning?
Unless it’s a really severe case, you probably can’t tell just by looking. Instead, your vet will take a peek in your animal’s mouth during their yearly checkup. Your pet’s doctor may give your furry friend a dental grade between 0 and 4, with 0 being reserved for puppies that have perfect teeth and 4 meaning Fido will likely require more advanced care, including extractions. Once you have the assessment, you can better determine if your pup needs a cleaning, but it’s frequently recommended.
What happens during a dental cleaning
Some of that depends on the grade and your specific beast, but the gist of it stays the same. The main thing is not to worry too much because your little guy will be well cared for, and even though there’s always some risk to anesthesia, this is a routine procedure.
Getting your pup ready
Before you even begin, you should get pre-op blood work done to make sure they can handle being under anesthesia. Have your vet discuss any outside-of-range findings and figure out the best way forward. Some older dogs develop kidney and liver problems, and your dog doc might decide that a cleaning isn’t worth the risk.
Prepping for the cleaning
Your little guy will likely fast leading up to treatment (just as you would if you were going in for surgery). When you arrive, your vet will go over the schedule and almost certainly give them a once-over to confirm they’re ready. Then they will get a sedative in preparation to go under. Figure out what time you need to pick them up and then try to distract yourself for a few hours.
During the procedure
Most vets will take X-rays, clean the teeth, and perform extractions as necessary. Don’t worry — your pet will be fully asleep and will not remember or feel a thing. If they do need any teeth pulled, they might get additional shots during the visit (again, just as you would get Novocaine while getting your mouth done). Your vet may also take this opportunity to clip their nails (since they are asleep), if necessary.
Aftercare
If your dog had to have any work above a cleaning, you’ll have a couple of meds to administer, such as pain medication and antibiotics. Follow the dosage carefully, especially if you’re dealing with strong meds like codeine. In some circumstances, they may have to wear the cone of shame to prevent scratching at their mouth.
How else can you help your dog’s oral hygiene?
There’s a lot you can do as the pet parent in between cleanings. Consider brushing their teeth, giving doggie dental chews, putting an additive in their water, or putting them on prescription food if the issues are really severe.
The most important thing is to stay on top of your furry friend’s oral health, just like you would with any other issues. That often means not feeding them human food, which can cause decay, and providing dry dog food or even dog bones to chew. As long as you stick with the routine, hopefully, you won’t need too much extra detail care.
Article- Top Summer Dangers for Dogs (MAY 24, 2023)
(Read in Dogtime: https://apple.news/AWQbkFKapRemTPbrrGfUgYw- Shared from Apple News)
Top Summer Dangers for Dogs
BY JESSICA DESROSIERS
Summer is a time of fun in the sun, outdoor activities, and late nights watching the fireflies. But, summer can also bring with it some unique health challenges for your dog. It’s always best to prepare for any summertime outing with the right supplies and routine care. Here are some of the top summer dangers for dogs, and what to do if your dog experiences one.
Summer is a time of fun in the sun, outdoor activities
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is one of the most common summertime issues. Long days out in the sun or on the beach can lead to health issues that can be severe. Signs of heat stroke in dogs include heavy panting, difficulty breathing, lethargy or confusion, and vomiting. If you notice your dog experiencing these symptoms, it is best to seek shade, cool off your dog as much as possible, and seek emergency veterinary treatment.
Luckily, measures can be taken to decrease the chances of heat stroke. Be sure to take breaks in the shade often if you’ll be in a warm or sunny area, and keep your dog off hot pavement or sand during the hottest parts of the day. It’s also a good idea to give your dog access to fresh, cool water at all times. A mister or cooling bandana can also help.
Ear Infection
While ear infections are common year-round, they can see a increase in intensity in the summer months. Foreign bodies getting into the ears during hiking trips may also lead to an infection. Signs of infection include excessive head shaking, pawing at the ears, oozing of debris from the ear canal, and pain upon touching the ears. It’s a good idea to inspect your dog’s ears daily, especially if you’ll be traveling in tall grass or brush. If you do notice problems, a vet visit for some prescription ear meds and a thorough cleaning are best.
Hot Spots
Summer brings with it a surge in parasites, which can lead to hot spots forming on your dog’s skin. Fleas wake from their dormancy, and ticks become more prevalent in wooded or brush-filled areas. A hot spot can form from excessive parasite bites that irritate the skin. Other issues, such as skin allergies can also lead to hot spots. Signs of a hot spot include redness or hair loss in an area, itchiness or excessive licking of the spot, and swelling or debris oozing from it.
Hot spots should be treated by your vet. Your vet will likely clip and clean the area, and then provide any medications as needed. It’s also important to keep your dog on regular parasite prevention to avoid any issues before they begin.
Seasonal Allergies
While allergies can happen at any time of year, outdoor allergies can surge as you and your dog spend more time outdoors. You may notice your dog showing symptoms such as sneezing, having clear discharge from the eyes or nose, or pawing at their face. In addition, dogs may have skin reactions such as red, itchy spots, irritation, swelling, and hair loss. Allergy medications can help treat seasonal allergies. Your vet can recommend a safe over the counter medication, or prescribe a stronger allergy medicine as needed.
Lost Dogs
Getting lost isn’t a health issue, but it’s still a top summer danger for dogs. A dog can easily escape a car on a road trip or break free of a leash when out hiking. However, steps can be taken to ensure your dog is returned to you safely. Make sure your dog has information clearly labeled on their collar or tags. And, be sure to microchip your dog in the event their collar is lost or they are turned into a shelter. Finally, make sure the information on their collar and microchip is kept up to date.
More summer safety tips
While these top summer dangers for dogs can seem scary, they can be easy to avoid with preparation and awareness. Now that you know what they are, check out our other summer safety tips for dogs, as well as how to keep your dog safe from bee stings.
Snip It- Accessible Video Conferencing Platforms
(Dots and Dashes, May 30, 2023)
On May 17, Senator Edward J. Markey and Representative Anna G. Eshoo released a press release applauding the FCC for announcing proposals that would for the first time ensure video conferencing platforms comply with accessibility requirements for people with disabilities. This announcement mirrors requirements in the lawmakers’ legislation, the Communication, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act. The CVTA is an ACB legislative imperative, and accessible access to video conferencing platforms is critical for ACB and our members to engage in our modern digital world. We commend Chair Rosenworcel from the FCC for moving this issue forward under the Commission’s existing authority, and we commend Sen. Markey and Rep. Eshoo for their leadership to ensure communications technology is accessible for everyone. Read the press release: Sen. Markey, Rep. Eshoo Applaud FCC for Proposed Video Conferencing Accessibility Rules.
Snip It- (Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, June 1, 2023 – Volume 913 https://toptechtidbits.com/)
New Accessibility Features on iOS
Apple announced it will roll out new accessibility features this year. This includes Point and Speak, which will allow people with visual disabilities to interact with physical objects that have several text labels, and an upgrade to Voice Control that will enable users to phonetically edit text. Learn more about Apple’s new accessibility features.
Google Maps Will Now Show Wheelchair Accessibility Information For All | Metro UK
Google Maps is providing wheelchair accessibility information by default for over 40 million places worldwide, including on public transport, pubs and restaurants: https://metro.co.uk/2023/05/18/google-maps-will-now-show-wheelchair-accessibility-information-for-all-18808066/
Breaking Barriers: Video Games That are Accessible for the Visually Impaired | Jump Start
Game developers are passionately dedicated to pushing the boundaries of accessibility in gaming: https://www.jumpstartmag.com/breaking-barriers-video-games-that-are-accessible-for-the-visually-impaired/
Test Your Accessibility Knowledge With Trivia11y
Publisher (Di Blasi): This website is amazing, fun and incredibly informative. Trivia is a great way to test your current knowledge while learning new concepts at the same time. And this site does not disappoint. Test your acumen against topics such as: ARIA, Assistive Technologies, Color Contrast, Design Disabilities, Forms, Guidelines and Specifications, Images, Keyboard Accessibility, Laws and Regulations, Motion and Animation, Multimedia and Screen Readers.
Trivia11y: Test Your Accessibility Knowledge. Accessibility is important, but becoming an expert means taking the time to understand and memorize priorities, regulations, requirements, and techniques. So how can you determine whether you’re up to speed? With games, of course! Game Types: Choose a game format and then select a category to help you test your knowledge: Flash Cards for reviewing what you know, Short Answer questions for confirming you actually know your stuff, and Multiple Choice for simulating test conditions:
Announcement- Menus4ALL iPhone app
No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience.
No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control?
Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus.
750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that’s not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com
Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Article- From Access Information News for Monday, May 29, 2023 – Volume 912
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/ain2023/05292023/index.html)
7 museums, gardens, and performance venues making art more accessible to all | Technology and initiatives are helping more people access the arts in new ways
By Alexandra Charitan
Decades after the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, there’s still a lot of progress to be made in making businesses, cultural institutions, and public spaces truly accessible for everyone. But every new technological advancement and thoughtful initiative allows more and more people to engage with the arts in new ways.
From glasses designed to correct for color blindness, tactile displays, and braille signage, to improved wheelchair accessibility, here are seven places in the U.S. that are making experiences and environments more welcoming and comfortable to all visitors.
- Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum “celebrates the art, life, and independent spirit” of its namesake artist in two New Mexico locations. The Santa Fe galleries opened to the public in July 1997 (11 years after O’Keeffe’s death) with more than 3,000 works in a collection that includes 140 oil paintings and hundreds of drawings made by O’Keeffe from 1901 to 1984.
Despite her deteriorating eyesight, O’Keeffe continued painting, sculpting, and writing until she died in Santa Fe at the age of 98. Today, her eponymous museum offers several accessibility accommodations, including free admission to caregivers, accessible bathrooms, closed captioning on videos, and audio guides, in addition to free wheelchairs, color-correcting glasses, and ASL interpreters upon request.
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Known for its explosion of cherry blossoms every spring, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s 52 acres are also home to impressive collections of daffodils, tulips, desert plants, and a bonsai museum. But those with visual impairments can enjoy a multi-sensory experience in the fragrance garden. Created in 1955 as the first of its kind in the U.S., the garden is designed so visitors can touch and smell the fragrant plants, flowers, and herbs, all of which are identified with braille markers and placed at a height suitable for children or people using wheelchairs.
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
The memorial for the only U.S. president to use a wheelchair was designed with accessibility in mind. Dedicated in 1997, the FDR Memorial is located along Washington, D.C.’s Tidal Basin and tells the story of the 32nd president through a series of outdoor “rooms.” Despite being designed to be entirely wheelchair accessible with tactile elements and braille placards, landscape architect Lawrence Halprin received criticism for choosing not to highlight FDR’s use of a wheelchair.
According to the National Park Service, a campaign led by the National Organization on Disability led to the dedication of the Prologue Room in 2001. It features a life-size statue of FDR seated in a wheelchair by sculptor Robert Graham. The artwork is placed in front of a wall inscribed with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “Franklin’s illness … gave him strength and courage he had not had before. He had to think out the fundamentals of living and learn the greatest of all lessons—infinite patience and never-ending persistence.”
- Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver)
Founded in 1996, MCA Denver was the first museum dedicated to contemporary art in the Colorado city. With no permanent collection and only rotating exhibits, there’s always something new to see—and now more visitors can experience the artwork thanks to the museum’s four pairs of EnChroma glasses, made specifically for red-green color blindness.
According to the museum, the hybrid glasses are “made to work for most people regardless of what type of color blindness they experience. About 85 percent of people who experience color blindness notice a change in what they see.” In addition to the glasses, which are sanitized after each use and can be checked out free of charge at the front desk with an ID, MCA Denver also features fully-accessible galleries, restrooms, and public spaces, as well as a courtesy wheelchair.
- The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The world’s largest children’s museum features five floors comprising 13,000 artifacts and welcomes more than a million visitors each year. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis encourages people to become “Accessibility Advisors” and provide feedback on inclusivity initiatives, which include providing fidget devices, noise-reducing headphones, ASL interpreters, assistive listening devices, and free admission to caregivers. The museum also compiles a list of sensory resources and hosts monthly events like “Museum My Way,” with modifications such as quiet areas and special lighting.
- LEGOLAND Resorts
As of this year, all three U.S. LEGOLAND Resorts (located in Florida, New York, and California) are now Certified Autism Centers (CAC), offering low-sensory areas designed for rest, quiet rooms, and varying sound levels based on the time of day. Earplugs and special passes are available for guests and caregivers who need them, and shops, restaurants, and rides are wheelchair-accessible. In order to be designated as a CAC, at least 80 percent of park staff must be trained and certified by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, ensuring that neurodivergent and autistic visitors will find a safe and welcoming environment at all LEGOLAND Resorts.
- Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO)
The second-oldest of the “Big Five” orchestras in the U.S., the Boston Symphony Orchestra offers sensory-friendly concerts designed for music lovers of all ages. During the special performances, “relaxed house rules allow for more audience movement and foster a judgment-free environment,” according to the BSO. While the music may be familiar, the modified shows feature dim lighting, sound adjustments, and signals to prepare visitors for what to expect next. Live concert feeds are available for anyone who needs to leave the main hall, and the automatic flush function is disabled in all restrooms.
Article- by Patty L. Fletcher – Team Blue | What Dogs Know and Understand
Presented by Patty L. Fletcher – Team Blue
March 2023
Greetings from Team Blue:
Hello Readers! I hope this article finds you well.
Those who know me, know I’m a trivia junky. I love learning interesting facts almost as much as I love learning new words.
Being a dog owner/handler means when I find interesting facts about dogs, I am over the moon.
When I read this I was already a believer.
First, as Chief Seeing Eye® Dog Blue, who is always on the case says, “The Facts.”
From Interesting Facts:
Some dogs can understand 250 words.
Dogs are man’s best friend, and the canine ability to understand human words has gone a long way to solidify that world-changing relationship. According to the American Psychological Association, the average dog can understand 165 words, and “super dogs” — those in the top 20% of canine intellect — can understand around 250 words. Dog intelligence can be divided into three main types: instinctive (what the dog is bred to do), adaptive (what a dog learns from its environment), and working/obedience (what a dog is trained to do). Research into the levels of working/obedience intelligence in various dog breeds shows that border collies displayed the highest levels, followed by poodles, German shepherds, and golden retrievers. With the ability to also understand simple math (1+1 = 2, for example), these “super dogs” have an estimated cognitive ability of 2- to 2.5-year-old humans.
A Tale – Tail from Team Blue:
Early one morning, as Blue and I bounced along our way to his first relief spot, I knew by the way he bounced on his toes and the shake of his head, Blue had a mind of his own.
When we got where we were going, Blue began circling in search of the perfect spot. Soon, however, it looked as if he were going to be a bit stubborn.
You see, around the block is another place he likes to go, but he also likes to sneak a bite or two of the bird’s breakfast left around one of the trees there for nesting mommas with babies. I have been trying to discourage this so on this morning, when Old Man Winter was showing himself in high form at 35 degrees, I decided no more.
“Blue! Park time!” I demanded, sending him round in a circle in the yard.
He circled two or three times but there was no enthusiasm in his pull. I knew he would not go. He needed to go but he was going to refuse.
“OK. Blue, harness up.” I said sternly, as I slid it over his head and buckled it into place. “We’re going home. You’re in trouble and you’re going to your crate until you change your mind about who’s in charge. You may be chief, I’m queen, and let’s not forget it.”
“Sneeze, stomp, shake” was Blue’s reply.
Without another word except “Forward” we headed back to the house. Once inside, the harness came off, the leash was undone and I said, “Go to your crate.”
He went and once inside laid down. He poked his head out, trying to be cute, but without so much as a look at him I said, “Good boy, now rest.” And with that, I zipped it shut.
I went into the kitchen, set a timer for five minutes, and made a fresh pot of coffee while I waited.
Blue moaned and whimpered once to which I replied sharply, “Quiet.”
When the timer went off, I took the leash, opened the crate, hooked him back up and said, “OK. Blue, let’s go to park time.”
Back in the harness, out the door and straight to the first relief area he went, dragging me along behind in his wake.”
When we arrived, I said, “Awesome! Blue! Now let’s park time!”
I removed the harness, lengthened the leash and commanded happily, “Park time.”
He circled once, gave a mighty snort, circled again and with no more ado, his relief flowed.
“Good job!” I praised, doing a little happy dance on my toes.
I gave a rare small treat and once he’d eaten it I said, “Now, you gotta do number 2?”
He sneezed and turned his head in the direction of relief area number 2. I harnessed him up and said, “Ok Blue Forward, let’s go.”
Soon, he had completed all he had to do, we’d made our stop by the dumpster and were headed home.
I can say without doubt Blue does know a sizable portion
of the words I say, and that along with the hand jesters and telepathic connection means we are a well-established team.
More from Interesting Facts:
FACT OR FIB?
Dogs see in black and white.
Team Blue asks, “What do you think?”
Personally, I believe the following information is true.
Blue has several toys, but his three favorites are yellow, Blue and green. The Yellow and Green toys squeak but the blue ball came from training, and he will bring it if asked.
Read the article below for more.
IT’S A FIB
Recent research shows that dogs can make out yellows, blues, and hues in between. A dog’s retina has more rods than cones (humans are the opposite), and only has two types of cones. This makes dogs dichromatic, whereas humans, who have three types of cones, are trichromatic.
Although 250 words is already impressive, it’s by no means the absolute limit. The Einstein of the dog world is a border collie named Chaser. According to the journal Behavioral Processes, Chaser had the ability to recall and correctly identify 1,022 words. This far exceeds the vocabulary of any known dog, and pushes Chaser into the cognitive ability range of a 3-year-old. Now, that’s an extremely good girl.
I hope you found this an interesting story.
Please do let us know.
The information shown here was originally found at the link shown below.
Make Every Day More Interesting: www.interestingfacts.com
About Patty L. Fletcher
Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.
Follow her at: https://pattysworlds.com/ for stories, book updates and more.
****
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.
Sincerely,
Sarah Calhoun, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Andrea Giudice, Editor
Co-editor and GDUI Immediate Past President: Penny Reeder
Paws for GDUI News You Can Use
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