Hello, GDUI Univers,
Welcome to Paws for GDUI News You Can Use! – VOL. III, NO. 4, August 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
It is so hot, humid horrible! The Silver lining, my note will be very brief as I am totally done in by the weather! *smile*
I hope you enjoy this month’s issue- finding items to learn from, about, and ponder!
As always, I encourage everyone to remember how easy it is to get involved- share a favorite podcast; an interesting, silly, absurd, or touching tidbit from your local paper; something you wrote yourself or written by someone else; a helpful app or other resource; even a yummy recipe. Remember, submissions about guide dogs, or blindness/visual impairment are not the only topics of interest to we GDUISters!
Sending cyber hugs and wags,
Andrea and Super T
From the President:
Hello GDUI members and friends,
As we experience this extremely hot weather across the country, I hope you and your guide dog are dealing with the weather as best as possible. I imagine booties for your dog or Musher’s Secret has been number one on your list of summer survival gear!
There are three open director positions on the GDUI board; please consider running. GDUI is a thriving, vibrant organization, in great part through having a vigorous board, robust with fresh ideas, insights and perspectives. The deadline to submit your candidate application is August 13, 2023.
The GDUI 2023 convention virtual and hybrid programs were a great success and full of guide dog information! There was the ever-popular guide dog school update with 14 schools in attendance; a presentation by Vickie Kennedy on how to prepare traveling to Hawaii with your guide dog – including the required vaccinations and paperwork; plus, a presentation and insight into the matching process used by some guide dog trainers. Yes, all of the programs were recorded and will be released soon! We will send out the information when the recordings become available.
During the in-person portion of the convention in Schaumburg, Illinois, After a three-year hiatus, the BarkALounge suite was back!!! We had a terrific variety of dog toys, grooming tools, raincoats, beds, harness pouches and more! Sitting and lying quietly in the suite were three plush guides wearing exclusive hand-crafted leather “Hava Original” harnesses. They were waiting with great anticipation for “human” day- when the drawing would determine their forever homes!! To all who participated in our much-anticipated annual drawing … a great big “thank you!”
Important dates:
-
Sunday, August 13, 2023- deadline to submit candidate applications for open board positions.
-
October, 2023 (Date to be announced)- sale of festive wreaths.
-
Saturday, October 21, 2023- GDUI’s annual membership meeting
-
Sunday, October 22nd -voting begins! Be sure to cast your votes!
Wishing everyone happy wagging tails and safe travels!
Sarah Calhoun & retired guide Lakota
GDUI President
Announcement: ACVO Service Animal Event 2023 Wrap-Up
Big Thank You to All Who Participated this Year!
As we finalize this year’s event, we want to extend a thank you for participating in another successful year of free eye exams for Service and Working Animals! Just over 270 board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists generously donated their time and services for the event. This program would not be successful without the generosity of our Diplomates, their supportive staff, and the financial support of our namesake sponsor, Epicur Pharma!
This year, over 5,260 animals received complimentary eye exams throughout the US, Canada, Hong Kong, and Puerto Rico. Mark your calendar now for next year’s event! Registration takes place April 1st – 30th every year, with exams taking place in May. Stay up to date on program updates and news the following ways: Follow the event on Facebook Follow the event on Instagram
Visit our website
From the Kennel Kitchen- Yummy!
Homemade “Pill Pockets” for Your Dog
(August 2023 Monthly News Update: Pine Tree Guide Dog Users, PTGDU, “Opening Doors to Independence and Opportunity”)
Here’s an easy and tasty way to hide your dog’s medication. Just pinch off a bit of the paste, wrap it around your dog’s pill, and give your dog a treat!
Ingredients
1 cup flour (oat or whole grain preferred)
½ cup milk
½ cup creamy peanut butter (be sure there is no xylitol in it)
Directions
Mix ingredients together until well blended. Shape into a lump and keep refrigerated. When ready to give your dog a pill, just pinch off a small piece of the mixture and carefully wrap it around the pill. You may wish to freeze one or more portions for use at a later date. (Note: Adjust the milk and/or flour proportions a bit to get the desired texture if needed.)
Article- Tips and Tricks for Hot Weather Animal Safety
By: Patty L. Fletcher, August 2016. Revised, July 2023.
Hello Readers
Team Blue here, with some tips and tricks on hot weather safety, for pets and working animals as well.
Let’s talk about animals that live outside first, as they are always those at highest risk.
Animals living outside no matter the type need the following items to live safely during the hot whether…
- Fresh water and food accessible always.
- Shelter from the elements accessible always (Especially if they’re to be left unattended for any length of time)
Animals that live inside need these things as well, but the two most important ones for them are…
- Fresh water and food accessible always
- Adequate shelter when left outside to do their business.
The weather can change at a moment’s notice in the summer months, and no one wants their animals to be in a dangerous storm with no place to go.
The next thing to remember is what your animals will need if you are on the go.
Since Chief Seeing Eye® Dog Blue is a Seeing Eye® Guide Dog, and travels with me everywhere I go these are the items I carry most often…
- A bottle of water, and collapsible bowl.
- A towel for wetting so I can rub his fur down should he become overheated or if we must wait in an area where there is no shade.
- Food if we’re going to be out at feed time. Animals require routine so even if your animals are not service animals try not to forget they get hungry just like you, and they do much better if they have their own food. Not! Yours!
If you’re a walker like me and are worried about your dog’s paws being burned by hot pavement there are good options for you other than just staying home.
One option is to buy specially made booties for their paws. You can get them in all sizes. Just check out your local pet store, or online pet supply shop and you should be able to find what you need.
It has been my personal experience that for the most part you spend more time putting the booties on the dog and trying to convince them that wearing them is a good idea than you do getting anywhere once they’re on. That having been said, I know others who use them successfully.
Blue and I take the door to door van a lot more these days than Campbell and I used to. So, for the most part, we’re not in the heat much. I do still pack his bag when I’m out for the day. Vans can break down, things happen, being ready for anything has always been my strong suit.
“I’d rather have it and not need it, than need and not have it.
The last and certainly not least important thing to remember is this…
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR ANIMAL IN A CAR UNATTENDED!!!
Even with the windows rolled down, and the car parked in the shade, it becomes a death trap for your animal because temperatures inside can reach as much as #110-degree F as quickly as #10 minutes flat. So, if the animal cannot go inside, please? Just leave it at home.
For now, this is Chief Seeing Eye® Dog Blue and Patty, better known as Team Blue saying, Stay cool. May Harmony find You and Blessed Be.
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 in Patty’s Worlds here.
Editor’s note- The following seemed totally related to the above, at least to me!
Norbert, German Shepherd guide from Maine, gives two paws up for the following!
Cool off with a cold one!
On a hot summer day, there’s nothing like a cold, frosty beer. Human beer is dangerous for dogs though. It contains alcohol and hops. For a safe alternative for your special canine friend, try out Bowser Beers Beefy brown ale, Porky Pug Porter, or cock a doodle brew!
Visit The Animal Medical Center’s blog for more tips on keeping your dog cool this summer.
Animal Medical Center’s blog for more tips on keeping your dog cool this summer.
Article- Happiest Songs in the World
- Music Psychologist Reveals the Formula for the Most Uplifting Tunes
- Formula for the Happiest Songs
- (https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/42431/20230216/happiest-songs-world-music-psychologist-reveals-formula-uplifting-tunes.htm)
- When feeling down, nothing beats some uplifting tunes to cheer someone up and put a grin back on their faces. Now, a scientific algorithm was used to determine the top 10 happiest songs, ranking ‘Good Vibrations’ by The Beach Boys in the top place.
- Dr. Michael Bonshor, a music psychologist and university professor at the University of Sheffield who has undertaken considerable research into the influence of research on wellbeing, has uncovered all the components that create a great “happy” song, with the 1966 pop smash ticking every box.According to MailOnline, Dr. Bonshor discovered that the most uplifting tunes had a pace of 137 beats per minute (bpm) and a typical verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure, but are interspersed or with surprising features such as a key shift or ‘seventh chords’.
- Dr. Bonshor explained that people like seventh chords as they add interest to the music. Unlike regular chords that only use three notes, seventh chords add an extra note that gives a sense of musical tension and relief.
- Meanwhile, the second and third happiest songs in the world are James Brown’s ‘I Got You (I Feel Good)’ and Madness’ ‘House of Fun’, respectively. Dr. Bonshor discovered, through a study commissioned by the yogurt company Müllerlight, that music in the major key is often considered as joyful.
- He added that cheery songs, which usually have a strong 1-2-1-2 beat to them, also make people dance along with the tune. Such a short introduction and kicks off with a bang straight away need not have a long build-up for the song to have an upbeat sound.
- Moreover, he noted that people like high volume so notes played in a bright and bouncy way by musical instruments, like trumpets or electric guitars instead of mellower instruments create happy songs.
- Lastly, Dr. Bonshor pointed out that repetitive rhythm on a guitar riff that people can easily remember becomes memorable and is the cherry on top of the cake.
- These elements make up the track known as ‘The Lighter Note’, which is a song that science has proven to light up the winter blues. A survey of approximately 2,00 Brits showed that two-thirds listen to music to cheer themselves up, wherein 40% cited listening to it during cold weather and dark nights. Also, 71% said that music is one of the most powerful tools that influence their mood.
- In a similar report by the Daily Mirror,
- the top three music genres that ranked the happiest are pop, rock, and dance. About 50% of the participants believe that the power of music has been underestimated,
- and 38% recognize it can deliver amazing highs and lows to the listener.
- The poll also explored the general habits of listeners in the UK, which suggests that an average Brit listens to over 20 tracks a day. About half of the
- participants said they listen to music at home and 26% said they consume the most while driving.
- Toby Bevans, the startegy and marketing director of Müller Yogurt & Desserts, said that good music has a powerful influence on a person in special ways
- and the best playlist energizes him when he has to put off running outside because of the cold weather.
- The study, commissioned by Müller Yogurt & Desserts, has listed the top 10 happiest songs that passed the formula of Dr. Bonshor. Below are the songs included in that list:
1. Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys
2. I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown
3. House of Fun by Madness
4. Get The Party Started by P!nk
5. Uptown Girl by Billy Joel
6. Sun is Shining by Bob Marley
7. I Get Around by The Beach Boys
8. YMCA by Village People
9. Waterloo by ABBA
10. September by Earth, Wind & Fire
- Super T says… “songs may make you humans happy but here’s how to bring a big doggie smile to my labbie face!!!”
- The Best Subscription Boxes for Spoiling Your Dog
(Shared from Apple News) - Getting a subscription box for your dog is a great way to offer them new toys and treats each month without shopping and paying for each one separately. Finding the right service for your dog entails considering their size, age, chewing habits, and overall enrichment preferences.
- Read in Cuteness: https://apple.news/AoTSep8L1QACk75Q2t6qYEQ
Anouncement- United Becomes First U.S. Airline to Add Braille to Aircraft Cabin Interiors
Link to press release: https://acb.org/United-Airlines-braille
Announcement- ACB Introduces the “INSPIRE” Mentoring Program
(Dots and Dashes: July 31, 2023)
Calling all ACB members who are interested in becoming an ACB Guide (Mentor) or Explorer (Mentee)! Applications will be accepted from now through August 17, 2023. Selections will be made by August 31, 2023, with an announcement to follow shortly thereafter. The program officially begins September 14, 2023 and concludes on June 14, 2024. For more information, visit https://acb.org/2023-INSPIRE. If you have questions, contact the ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Team via email, acb.mentoring@gmail.com, or phone (409) 866-5838.
Announcement- Town Hall with Uber Representatives
(Dots and Dashes: July 31, 2023)
ACB hosted the first town hall with Uber representatives as a hybrid event during the Schaumburg convention, with in-person and virtual audience participation. We were joined by Briana Gilmore, Head of Accessibility Policy, and Chris Yoon, Product Manager, from Uber. This session was posted on the ACB Media Network as the Advocacy Update podcast for Thursday, July 20, and is available at: https://www.acbmedia.org/2023/07/20/a-conversation-with-uber/.
To submit feedback and ideas regarding Uber’s commitments to service animal handlers, please write to Uber’s team at serviceanimals-group@uber.com. To learn more about Uber’s service animal policy, visit https://www.uber.com/us/en/about/accessibility/service-animal-user-guide/.
ACB joins all of us in GDUI in encouraging everyone who is wrongfully denied access to a ride-share service due to having a disability or due to the presence of a service animal to file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Justice. To file a civil rights complaint online, by phone, or by mail, go to https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
Article- ACB Celebrates the ADA
(Dots and Dashes: July 31, 2023)
On July 26, the American Council of the Blind celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by highlighting some of our recent advocacy work in pursuit of a more equitable and inclusive world for people who are blind and have low vision. We cover new developments with accessible currency, our partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on accessible at-home medical testing, and collaborative efforts to reintroduce the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act. Check out our ADA anniversary video.
ADA Anniversary Round Table
The White House Domestic Policy Council held an ADA anniversary Round Table with leaders from the disability rights community, including ACB’s Clark Rachfal, in attendance which focused on recent rule makings, including the DOJ Title II websites and mobile applications accessibility Notice of Proposed Rule Making; the DOT accessibility of in-flight lavatories Final Rule; and the Access Board’s updating of the Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines.
Sen. Markey, Rep. Eshoo Reintroduce CVTA
WASHINGTON, July 25, 2023 – Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), today announced the reintroduction of the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act. The CVTA bolsters standards for television programming and emergency communication, expands accessibility requirements — including closed captions and audio descriptions — to online platforms and video conferencing services, and equips the federal government with the ability to improve accessibility of emerging technologies.
Co-sponsors in the Senate include Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.).
Read the full press release at https://tinyurl.com/bdfdej5s. A copy of the legislation can be found at https://www.markey.senate.gov/download/communications-video-and-technology-accessibility-act_-072523pdf.
Announcement- Town Hall with Uber Representatives
(Dots and Dashes: July 31, 2023)
ACB hosted the first town hall with Uber representatives as a hybrid event during the Schaumburg convention, with in-person and virtual audience participation. We were joined by Briana Gilmore, Head of Accessibility Policy, and Chris Yoon, Product Manager, from Uber. This session was posted on the ACB Media Network as the Advocacy Update podcast for Thursday, July 20, and is available at: https://www.acbmedia.org/2023/07/20/a-conversation-with-uber/.
To submit feedback and ideas regarding Uber’s commitments to service animal handlers, please write to Uber’s team at serviceanimals-group@uber.com. To learn more about Uber’s service animal policy, visit https://www.uber.com/us/en/about/accessibility/service-animal-user-guide/.
ACB joins all of us in GDUI in encouraging everyone who is wrongfully denied access to a ride-share service due to having a disability or due to the presence of a service animal to file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Justice. To file a civil rights complaint online, by phone, or by mail, go to https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
Editor’s note- I said it at the beginning, and I say it again, this heat is so totally yuckie!! So, here is more heat related info!
Article- How to Keep Your Dog Safe in the Heat
Advice that could save your dog’s life, including when to cut a walk short and how to recognize signs of heat stroke By Olivia McCormack July 17, 2023
(From: How to keep your dog safe in the heat, according to an emergency vet – The Washington Post)
It may be hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, but that doesn’t stop your dog from needing to use the bathroom.
Planet Earth recently experienced its hottest day on record, and the effects of climate change are only worsening.
Such extreme weather can lead to devastating and painful consequences for dogs, including burnt paw pads, heat exhaustion, heat stroke — and death. We asked Sarah Carotenuto, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine who has worked in emergency veterinary care for 20 years, how to keep canine friends safe, active and cool in extreme heat.
Want easy home advice delivered right to your phone? Sign up for The Home You Own’s “Live Better with Little Effort” text message course for fun tips and tricks.
How hot is too hot for a walk?
It depends a lot on if your dog is acclimated to the heat or not. What I mean by that is if you’ve newly moved to a really hot, humid place and it’s their first time out, I would err on the side of caution — walking at dawn and dusk because they’re going to need time to get used to the climate. Making sure that they’re acclimated is very important. If you can’t leave your hand on the pavement for five seconds without feeling too hot, then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
What is considered a short enough walk in extreme heat?
Summer is not the time to start an exercise program, especially if you or your dog is overweight and out of shape. I would use the rule of walking for no longer than 10 to 15 minutes in the coolest part of the day, making sure your dog can cool down easily when they come back inside. What I mean by that is they’re panting, but within five minutes they can go back to breathing normally and they’re not overly exerting themselves.
Signs that your dog is overheated are really, really red ears; really, really red gums; the inability to stop panting after five minutes.
Obviously, if they just don’t want to go any farther on the walk, that is a pretty good sign that they’re done. Really, a walk during extreme heat is only for urination and defecation and to get some fresh air.
How can you help your dog stay cool on a walk?
Take water and have that available for them to drink. You can also take one of those little misting bottles that have the automated fans.
If you don’t want to be out for that long without water, don’t ask your animals to do it.
How can you help your dog cool down when you return from a walk?
Provide water. You can provide ice chips or ice cubes. You can use low-sodium chicken broth to make ice cubes. You can wet your pet down to help with evaporative cooling. And providing a nice tile floor for them to lay on is helpful. Fans are wonderful — but you want to have a cover on your fans so your dog doesn’t stick his face in it and create more injury.
Are there particular dog breeds that are extra sensitive to heat?
There are a couple that I would watch very closely in the heat of the summer. The first is Arctic breeds — anything that looks like it should be pulling a sled. The reason is they have very thick undercoats that are meant to protect them in snow, but unfortunately, they’re also great at retaining heat.
It’s the same thing with any large breed like a herding dog that has a very thick coat.
The second type that has a very difficult time are the flat-faced dogs, which are known as brachycephalic breeds. The normal dog anatomy has been kind of smushed into a smaller face. They have more soft palate and more tongue to contend with and get out of the way to exchange heat and exchange air and pant, which is the dog’s main way of dissipating heat.
Are there any preexisting conditions or traits in dogs that make the heat more dangerous to them?
Those of us who may have a little extra weight on us are going to have a harder time in the heat and that’s the same thing with dogs. The other thing that will be problematic is older dogs who are arthritic — it’ll just take them longer on their walks and so that’s going to expose them to more heat. Dogs with preexisting breathing problems are also more at risk.
What are the most common heat-related emergencies you see in dogs?
The most common heat-related emergencies that we see are heatstrokes due to pets being left outside. That’s very difficult because once the body temperature exceeds 107 degrees Fahrenheit, we start to have changes in the proteins of the body that affect how our blood clots. I often explain to owners that it’s like an egg. When you take an egg out of the shell, it’s nice and liquidy, but when you apply heat to it, it becomes your breakfast. You can’t get your breakfast to go back to the liquidy eggs. That’s what happens to the proteins in dog bodies when they overheat. It’s very, very dangerous.
Once that happens, it will predispose them to further episodes of heatstroke and they can have a lot of significant secondary conditions develop.
When should a dog immediately see a vet?
If your dog’s temperature is over 107, that is a medical emergency.
The first thing you should do is apply cool water — not cold or ice water — but just cool water to start cooling them down. Then get them to a vet immediately. Another sign of heat stress is an animal that is panting, and hot and red, and just cannot settle down even when a fan or air conditioning is applied and they’re laying on a cool surface. If they’re continuing to have a really hard time breathing, they’re not getting cool enough and you should seek medical attention.
If you ever have a question, call an emergency clinic. We’d much rather you ask because one of the most dangerous things you can do is ignore it.
How can dog owners mitigate paw burns?
An easy thing you can do to mitigate paw burns is just to get a little booty to put over your dog’s paws. The ones I like are those silicone, rubberized booties. Some people use them in the cold so that ice doesn’t get between their toes, but they’re also very useful in the hot to prevent burns. I particularly like the ones that have Velcro that go around the ankle so that they don’t slip off. It will take your dog just a little bit of time to get used to them.
The first time, they will prance like a weird reindeer.
How do you know if your dog has paw burns?
The first thing you’ll see is them shifting weight away from the affected paw. They’ll often be licking the paws as well. Once you turn over the paw, you will see almost peeling skin on the little paw pads. If that happens, certainly it’s quite painful, so I’d recommend seeing your vet.
Is there anything you can do at home to treat paw burns?
You certainly can wash it with soap and water and put something like aloe vera gel on it. Something like Neosporin would also be very safe to apply.
With the heat, owners may want to take their dogs swimming or let them play in water. What are the dangers of that?
We can’t just assume that dogs know how to swim. We need to watch them carefully, first and foremost. I would always recommend having a life vest for your dog, especially if they’re being taken on a boat.
Secondly, things like spray hoses or sprinklers are really, really fun to bite at. It’s super good entertainment. But the problem is if they have no off-switch and they can’t stop drinking the water, that can lead to acute water intoxication. This is basically when you dilute your sodium to the point that you have swelling on the brain. So, just observing your dog around water, especially the first couple of times that they’re around it, is really important.
Announcement- Memo to All guide dog handlers
From Helping Hands for the Blind
We are very pleased to announce that Helping Hands for the Blind, a 501c3 not-for-profit charitable organization has received major funding which now allows us to establish a Veterinary Care Assistance Program for all guide dog handlers in the United States who can qualify.
If you would be interested in knowing more about this Program, please write to me at: boacosta818@gmail.com. Put Vet Care in the subject line please.
Article- Article- I Think I Cane
By Chris Kuell (ACB of Connecticut)
A cane is only as useful as the attitude of the person wielding it. I found out the first time I went hiking with my family after losing my sight. Our kids were young at the time, so we picked a relatively easy trail around a small lake near our home in western Connecticut. Our son scampered ahead of zus, pointing out every interesting bird and flower. My wife, Christine, carried
our year-old daughter in a backpack, and I clung to her right elbow, stumbling along in this new and unforgiving world of darkness.
Christine detached my hand from her elbow and said, “Use your cane.” This was the third or fourth time she’d done this in the quarter mile we’d gone so far.
“It’s too hard,” I said. “Let me take your elbow. It’ll be much easier.” I knew she had the extra weight of our daughter, but I didn’t understand what the big deal was. Did she really expect me to walk this uneven, root-filled trail without getting hurt?
A few steps later I stumbled over a rock the size of a small terrier, and fell hard, scraping tender flesh from my hands and elbows. Months of anger and frustration erupted inside me. I smashed the cane into the rock like Paul Bunyan with his axe, bending it to an angle that matched my bloody elbow. A few seconds of absolute silence followed?not even the birds or chipmunks dared make a sound. Then the kids started to cry, Christine and I exchanged a few unloving words, and our hike was finished.
At thirty-five, I lost my sight, my career, my confidence, and my self-respect. To me, the white cane represented a neon sign, my scarlet letter, proclaiming to the world that I was blind, and I wanted nothing to do with it. Two days after the hiking fiasco, a new cane arrived in the mail.
I’m blessed to have a wife who is caring, smart, and tough. Even though both of our lives had been turned upside down, and the weight of responsibility grew heavier on her shoulders, she had the good sense that I was lacking.
“We’ve got two kids,” she said. “And I won’t have them growing up feeling sorry for their Daddy.” She paused to let this sink in. “You need to get off the pity pot and learn how to take care of yourself. I want my kids to be proud of you.”
Those words proved to be the arrow that penetrated my layers of depression. She was right. If I couldn’t do it for me, and I couldn’t do it for her, I had to make some changes for my kids.
Over the next several months, I began a new phase in my life. I received Mobility and Orientation instruction from the Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB, our state agency for the blind). Once a week an instructor visited my house and taught me proper cane travel technique. He showed me how to get around my neighborhood, and how to use public transportation. The cane gave me a physical connection to the places I traveled, and helped me to develop mental pictures of where I’d been. For practice, I’d go for walks downtown, to the pharmacy, or the library to check out a book on tape. This was when the real lessons occurred, because sometimes I’d get lost. I’m yet to find a panic equal to being blind and completely confused about where you are. You have to resist the urge to bawl, and utilize the sounds and your physical surroundings to figure out where you are, and how you went wrong.
On one such occasion, I found myself in a parking lot full of cars. I figured I must have drifted into the lot, and attempted to retrace my steps to get back to the sidewalk. Everywhere I turned, I found only more cars. I paused, and listened for sounds of traffic. But, at ten-thirty on a Tuesday morning, all the streets were quiet. I tapped around, trying to find a way out. At some point, I heard the distinctive clicking of high heels, and made my way towards the sound.
“Excuse me,” I said. “I’m blind, and I’m lost. Can you please show me where the sidewalk is?”
“Désolé, je ne parle pas anglais,” a woman answered.
I pointed my face skyward and thought?God, if this is your idea of a joke, I’m not laughing. I tried in vain to communicate with the woman, who really didn’t know a word of English, until I gave up and wished her a nice day. She went to her car, and then the solution hit me. I listened while she backed up, and followed the sounds of her vehicle as it weaved through the aisles and back to the street. Once there, I found the sidewalk I’d lost a half-hour ago, and made my way home.
I joined the National Federation of the Blind and talked with other blind people to find out how they did things. I began to believe in myself, and with support and encouragement from my family, I mastered some of the alternative techniques blind people use to get along in life.
With a newer, and lighter, fiberglass cane, I walked my children to and from school. In time, I learned Braille, and how to use a computer with a speech synthesizer. As I gained understanding about the true nature of blindness, I started doing advocacy work on behalf of the blind and visually impaired.
Three years after losing my sight, I traveled solo to Atlanta. Two years after that, I traveled to West Virginia and attended a Writer’s conference?by myself. Since then, I’ve traveled to our state capitol to lobby our Senators and Representatives to improve training and opportunities for blind people. I’ve co-chaired a legislative council overseeing our state agency for the blind, and tapped my way to meetings with the governor and the Secretary of State.
I now have a wide collection of canes. Most are taller than that first one, and most are lighter, fiberglass models, although I do have a sturdy aluminum one I use specifically for hiking. Some are one piece, others telescope or fold. Some have roller tips, others have a plastic ball or a thin aluminum disk.
Now I can’t imagine leaving the house without my cane, and I always have a spare in my suitcase when I travel. My cane does announce to the world that I’m blind, but I’m okay with that. It only symbolizes inferiority in the hands of those who don’t have the skills and confidence to use it properly. When I’m walking down the street, it signals to cars and pedestrians alike that I’m going places.
Article- Happiest Songs in the World: Music Psychologist Reveals the Formula for the Most Uplifting Tunes
Pod Casts- Check these out!
- AppleVis Unlimited: What’s New and Noteworthy for July 2023
https://www.applevis.com/newsletter/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-july-2023
- August 22, 2023 -Tech It Out- Hadley Discussion Group
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
(4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT.
- Choosing a Home Phone
Looking For A House Phone Or Cell Phone That Meets Your Needs? Hadley Workshops Have You Covered
https://hadley.edu/workshops/staying-connected-series/staying-connected-choosing-a-home-phone
Choosing a Cell Phone: https://hadley.edu/workshops/staying-connected-series/staying-connected-choosing-a-cell-phone
Way cool products!
- RAZ Mobility Launches Accessible and Innovative Smartphone for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired Business Wire
RAZ Mobility has announced the launch of the SmartVision 3. This Google certified smartphone, manufactured by
For Your Calendar:
- August 8, 2023 Ask Sharky: Navigate Ribbons in MS Office with JAWS
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Learn how to navigate the Ribbons in Microsoft Office applications with JAWS to quickly locate commands. Join Info: Zoom conferencing platform and Clubhouse. Join via Zoom or download the Clubhouse app from iOS App Store or Google Play to participate on your mobile device.
- August 8, 2023-Disability Awareness and Etiquette
California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
Become disability aware and learn how to engage with persons with disabilities in this insightful two-hour webinar. Who Should Attend? People who make hiring decisions. People who manage people. People who work with people with disabilities. People who provide services to people with disabilities. Anyone who values diversity and inclusion. ASL interpreting and real time captioning will be provided during the event. Brought to you by the Department of Rehabilitation Disability Access Services (DAS):
https://dor-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jBntGDIxSumFWuWHLIA6Ig#/registration?os=iphone
- August 9, 2023- Access Ingenuity Webinar
Create Source Files: MS Word to PDF Remediation (Digital Accessibility)
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Microsoft Word offers many tools that make remediation in PDF quicker and more successful. Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity to learn tips, tricks, and best practices for creating your documents in Microsoft Word with the intent to convert them to PDF. Learning Outcomes: Discover best practices in formatting standard document elements. Explore the WCAG 2.1 color requirements that may apply to your content. Introduction to creating PDFs directly from Microsoft Office:
- August 10, 2023- Vispero
RUBY 10: Beyond the Basics
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Vispero Presenters: Bill Kilroy and Shelly Klure. Summary: Want to learn how to turn on “Help Text” and have menu options read aloud? Do you know the three main uses for the full-page (swing out) camera? Join us for a step-by-step webinar on how to get the most from the RUBY 10 by Freedom Scientific. Don’t miss out on this educational hour as we demonstrate live and answer your questions in real-time! Objectives: Adjust font size for “Help Text.” Turn on the voice for menu options. Use the Full-page (swing out) camera for reading, writing, and scanning. Registration: Register for this webinar on Zoom. ACVREP Credits. ACVREP credits will be available for those who attend the live webinar:
- August 12, 2023- Technology User Group
YouTube
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
the Technology User Group (TUG) will profile the YouTube website and the YouTube app. Learn how to use both applications effectively: managing play controls, subscribing, skipping ads and saving. Finding premium content will also be discussed. You do not have to RSVP for this event. The presentation will begin at 10 AM and last about 60 minutes. Call in Number: (319) 527-4994. Webcast:
https://join.freeconferencecall.com/mdlbpd
- August 14 through August 18, 2023- Audio Description Associates, LLC
Audio Description Project of the American Council of the Blind
22nd Audio Description Institute
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The American Council of the Blind’s Audio Description Project announces its twenty-second Audio Description Institute, August 14-18, 2023 (Monday through Friday) from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Eastern each day. All Virtual. Audio Description (AD) makes visual images accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. Using words that are succinct, vivid, and imaginative, media describers convey the visual image from television and film that is not fully accessible to a significant segment of the population (more than 32 million Americans experience significant vision loss). The interactive sessions are designed to provide immediate feedback and “give and take,” allowing for adaptation according to a sense of participants’ grasp of the material. In addition, experienced users of description are a part of the Institute’s faculty, providing an important perspective throughout the sessions:
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E144393&id=86
- August 16, 2023- Access Ingenuity Assistive Technology Webinar
JAWS: Getting Help & Accessing Training Materials
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Get to know the various tools, help menu options, and free training materials that already exist with JAWS. Join Ian Ramos and Marisa Church from Access Ingenuity to discover ways to get assistance with concepts, commands, exercises, additional web resources, and more. Learning Outcomes: Help tools of JAWS, including Keyboard Help and Screen Sensitive Help. Additional help from the help menu includes the manual, web resources, and free training. Free training web resources include the Freedom Scientific Training YouTube channel, Free Webinars Training page, Surf’s Up Training website, etc:
- August 23, 2023 Access Ingenuity (Digital Accessibility Webinar)
How to Create Accessible Videos
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Do you create videos for YouTube or other platforms? This presentation will review the components of accessible videos and how to make them. Join Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity to learn about creating accessible videos, including captions, audio descriptions, and descriptive text transcripts. Learning Outcomes: Learn the main elements of an accessible video to comply with WCAG 2.1 Guidelines. Learn how to edit captions on YouTube. Learn how to design videos so that they meet audio description requirements. Learn the basics of creating descriptive text transcripts:
- September 29, 2023- Accessible Pharmacy
Blindness and Mental Health Webinar
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss mental health in the blind and low vision community. Expert presenters will discuss: Psychology and therapy for the blind community. Medications and genomic testing. Peer and community support resources. 988 Mental Health Hotline information:
accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-mental-health-webinar/
IMPORTANT- 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
Visit our web site: https://www.guidedogusersinc.org/
Call us, toll-free, at 866.799.8436
Our Facebook page can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/GDUInc/.
Our Facebook group can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/groups/GDUINC/.
Our Twitter timeline can be accessed at https://twitter.com/gduinc.
Download or subscribe to the GDUI Juno Report pod cast here: http://acbradio.org/gdr.xml
Support GDUI when you use this link to shop at Amazon.com:
http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1871119.
To join the GDUI-Announce List, visit this link: http://www.acblists.org/mailman/listinfo/gdui-announce.
To subscribe to the GDUI Chat list, visit this link: chat+subscribe@guidedogusersinc.org.
To subscribe to the (members only) GDUI Business list, visit this link: