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
Here is a robust issue of Paws with lots to keep you occupied! From the start- dog wisdom (the best kind)- to the very end- heaps and piles of
ACB Convention related information … not because it isn’t important, interesting or relevant- but so as to have it all in one easy to find location! Snuggled between, like the delicious filling in your favorite sandwich cookie, are- must-not-miss events for your calendar; GDUI updates; news about apps, webinar’s, podcasts, and blogs; submissions from GDUI members; articles about how to keep your guides safe and happy; exciting news about this year’s plush guide drawing; yummy recipes; and so much more!! (I don’t want to give it all away here or you won’t read on!)
I encourage everyone to remember how easy it is to get involved- share a favorite podcast; blog; webinar ;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
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Canine Contemplations
- Toto’s Topics – “My Mom buys my dog food in really big bags. (I wish she would forget sometimes and not always close them behind the closet door in an air-tight bin with a really complicated closing mechanism!) “She also has a smaller air-tight canister in the kitchen that holds about a week’s worth of food. I have heard explain that she does this so she isn’t opening the bigger container twice a day. That way the larger amount of food stays fresher longer because she is only opening it once a week to refill the daily use canister. Plus, personally, I think she likes being able to have a cute canister on the counter! *big doggie smile*)”
- Winnie’s Wisdom – “When Mom cuts her toe-nails (she doesn’t use a Dremel, go figure) she sits on the side of the bathtub, with her legs stretched out and her feet against the far wall. That way she can easily reach her feet, and even better, the clippings don’t go flying all over the place. I admit, I am glad she doesn’t cut my nails in there, I don’t like the tub for any reason any time!”
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For Your Calendar-
(Some of the items listed here are expanded upon later in this issue, others may be a ways off)
4/1-30/26- Registration for the 16th Annual ACVO/Epicur Service Animal Volunteer Eye Screening Event
4/1-4/30/26- Autism Awareness Month
4/1-4/30/26- National Poetry Month
4/19-25/26- National Library Week!!!
4/22/26- Earth Day!!!
4/22/26, 6:00PM, (Eastern)- poisoning risks for pets (virtual)
4/25/26, 10AM to 2PM- Prescription Drug Take Back Day
4/26/26, 7:30PM (Eastern)- It’s the law Uber Technologies suit discussion(via Zoom)
4/28/26- International Guide Dog Day!!!!
5/1-31/26- 16th Annual ACVO/Epicur Service Animal Volunteer Eye Screening Event
5/3-4/26- 2nd Annual Global Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon
5/5/26- Cinco de Mayo,
5/9/26, 5:00PM (Eastern)- One-year anniversary Mix and Mingle Mayday – Madlib Celebration
5/10/26- Mother’s Day!
5/28/26, 7:00AM (central )- Member registration opens for 2026 ACB Conference and Convention
6/1/26, Midnight (Central)- Submission deadline for GDUI award nominations!
6/4/26- Non-member registration opens for 2026 ACB Conference and Convention
7/6/26, 11:59PM (central)- Pre-registration closes for 2026 ACB Conference and Convention
7/24-31/26- 65th annual ACB Conference and Convention
Recurring events-
second Thursday (monthly), 7PM (Eastern)- Get to Know the Many Faces of BARD (virtual)
Third Thursday (monthly), NLS- Smart Speaking to the Smart Speaker (virtual)
Last Tuesday (monthly), NLS- That All May eRead Program (virtual)
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Calendar Event- 16th Annual ACVO/Epicur Service Animal Volunteer Eye Screening Event
The 16th Annual ACVO/Epicur Service Animal Volunteer Eye Screening Event Registration Launched on April 1st!
Every year 300 board certified veterinary ophthalmologist members of the ACVO choose to provide 5,000-8,000 of complimentary eye exam screenings to qualifying Service & Working Animals across the US. This year additional cities in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and Switzerland have been added to the list.
Registration for the screenings is through a digital form on our website- https://acvo-saves.org
ACVO-SAVES, STEPS TO REGISTER
STEP ONE: Check if a city near you has a clinic participating this year. This is our final list for 2026.
https://acvo-saves.org/participating-cities
STEP TWO: Review the Qualifications, Expectations, and Registration Information to be sure that your Service or Working Animal is qualified for this event.
https://acvo-saves.org/qualifications-expectations
STEP THREE: If you wish to participate, please find the event registration form link provided on the bottom of that same Qualifications, Expectations, and Registration page.
https://acvo-saves.org/qualifications-expectations
STEP FOUR: Add ServiceAnimal@ACVO.org to your safe senders list in your email client! You should receive an automatic confirmation email to the address provided. This confirmation contains the participating clinic link you will need to contact and make your ACVO-SAVES eye screening appointment in May. (Kindly check your spam/junk folder and wait at least 30 minutes before emailing us to request a duplicate confirmation).
STEP FIVE: Call or email your preferred location to make an appointment. This step must be completed to secure a spot at the clinic you prefer. Plan to provide your registration number, name (yours and Service Animal), type of Service Animal, and know that the clinic may require you to bring written proof of Service Animal training to the appointment. Appointments are on a first come, first serve basis and some locations may have limitations. One Service Animal is allowed per registration.
Please remember that locations/appointments may be limited in your area, they can change annually. We ask for patience and kindness to the clinics’ staff. Everyone participating is volunteering their time and resources, and we would love for this event to continue to be a positive experience for all involved!
Don’t forget to follow us on our Facebook and tag us on our Instagram accounts! We love seeing your Service Animal’s ‘happy face’ when they visit our clinics!
https://www.facebook.com/ACVONationalServiceAnimalEyeExam
https://www.instagram.com/acvoofficial/
Don’t forget to ‘Like’ the event on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. If you have an Instagram account, post your pictures of the event with #ACVO-SAVES for everyone to see! To past participants who shared photos and stories with us… thank you!
THANK YOU PARTICIPATING VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGISTS, THEIR STAFF AND OUR NAMESAKE SPONSOR, EPICUR!
The ACVO/Epicur Service Animal Volunteer Eye Screening event is a philanthropic effort generously provided to the public by participating board-certified Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists who donate their time, staff, and services to provide complimentary screening eye exams to qualified Service and Working Animals.
This program would not be successful without the generosity of our Diplomates and the financial support of our namesake sponsor, Epicur Pharma (https://epicurpharma.com/).
***
Calendar Event- Poisoning Risks for Pets
Upcoming Online Event
(PET HEALTH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER, Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, usdaninstitute@amcny.org)
Our beloved pets are curious by nature. This curiosity, paired with their tendency to explore the world with their mouths, makes them vulnerable to accidents.
Join us on Wednesday, April 22 at 6:00 PM ET on Zoom as Dr. Renee Schmid, Director of Veterinary Medicine and Senior Veterinary Toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, discusses poisoning risks for pets. She will cover both common toxins and lesser-known hazards, review signs of exposure, and share practical guidance on what to do if your pet gets into something concerning.
Please email UsdanInstitute@amcny.org with any questions
Register for the “Pets & Poisons” Webinar- https://app.glueup.com/event/pets-and-poisons-prevention-warning-signs-and-what-to-do-next-173862/
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Calendar Event- Prescription Drug Take Back Day
On Saturday, April 25, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, communities nationwide will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This event provides a safe, convenient, and anonymous way to dispose of unused or expired medications.
Did you know that prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved to be abused or illegally sold, or that drugs flushed down toilets contaminate the water supply? The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is considered a public health, public safety and national security threat. We can help prevent and reduce medication misuse and opioid addiction by properly disposing of any unneeded medications at home. Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands, creating a dangerous and often tragic situation.
The Drug Enforcement Administration hosts National Prescription Take Back Day during the last Saturday of the months of April and October. DEA sponsors collection sites throughout the country where medications can be dropped off for proper disposal. CBP encourages everyone to bring any expired, unused or unwanted medications to designated collection sites for proper disposal.
Next Take Back Day: Saturday, April 25, 2026
To prepare for Take Back Day-
- Locate all medications in your household and ensure that they are securely stored (all lids are tightly on bottles, away from the reach of children and pets, etc.);
- Inventory the medications and identify which are unwanted and/or have expired dates;
- Label each of those identified medications with clear signage that indicates disposal; and
- Take them to a collection site between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Missed Take Back Day? Use the collection site locator to locate the closest authorized collector for year-round disposal- https://www.dea.gov/takebackday#collection-locator
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Calendar Event- It’s the Law!
Join Golden State Guide Dog Handlers on Sunday, April 26, from 7:30–8:45 PM EST to hear retired lawyer Linda MacLeod discuss her experience suing Uber Technologies, Inc. in Small Claims Court after being denied rides because of her guide dog. She’ll walk through the process—from filing her claim to collecting damages—share practical insights, and take questions. Send a message to the group for the Zoom information- vzavoli@gmail.com
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Calendar Event- Birdability’s Blind Birder Bird-A-Thon
Join Birdability for the Blind Birder Bird-A-Thon, a free, two-day, community-driven birding experience designed by and for blind and visually impaired birders. Participants are encouraged to explore their surroundings through sound, celebrating access, inclusion, and belonging in birding by ear from anywhere birds sing.
May 3-4, 2026
Introducing the 2nd Annual Global Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon 2026
Registration is now open!
Register NOW to participate!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4pTRrYsIh5BsU9HXVT2IOf8erYzmGE5M6SYNlmakqwrtK-A/viewform
What is the Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon?
A Bird-a-Thon is a birding event during which birders try to see or hear as many bird species as possible during a set period of time, in this case, a 24-hour period within two days in May.
The goal of the 2nd Annual Global Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon is to encourage blind and partially sighted birders of any age, experience, or location to head outdoors, tune in, and celebrate the sounds and songs that make birding such a powerful practice of connection.
Birders can identify species by sound or whatever sight is available to them, solo, in a group, or as part of a team, from any location in the world.
When and where?
Dates: Sunday and Monday, May 3–4, 2026
Timing: 12:01 a.m. to midnight local time either day
Participants may choose one of the two days that best fits their schedule and transportation options, and bird for at least two hours – all at once or spread throughout the day. You can bird in your neighborhood, backyard, local park, favorite trail, or anywhere you find birds.
These dates coincide with spring migration and peak bird song in many regions of the Northern Hemisphere, a perfect moment to listen for your avian neighbors and build birding community.
Who can participate?
Anyone who is blind or has low vision is warmly invited to take part. Birders may participate individually, in groups, or as a team, and may choose to bird with or without sighted volunteers.
All are welcome, from experienced birders to beginners just discovering their first birdsong.
How does it work?
Participants count any bird they hear or see during their 24-hour period, which will be reported to your country’s species compiler. You may use tools such as the Merlin Bird ID app or recording devices to assist in identification. If you bird with a sighted partner, birds they identify can be counted if you also hear or see them yourself.
There is no cost to participate – this is about awareness and community building!
All participants must follow the Birding Code of Ethics (adapted below from the American Birding Association’s Code of Birding Ethics), which prioritizes the welfare of birds and respect for people, property, and place.
Blind Birder Community Conversations
In anticipation of our 2026 bird-a-thon, we are hosting a series of opportunities for learning and community-building each month. All sessions will be held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. ET. Recordings will be available for all registrants. You don’t have to attend any of the sessions to participate, but you are welcome to attend as many as you would like.
November 18, 2025- Mnemonics and Birding by Ear with Jerry Berrier
for those who weren’t able to join us for this session, which offered participants an introduction to birding by ear and practical tools for remembering bird sounds using mnemonics, The video recording of the 1st Community Conversation is available at
December 9, 2025- Merlin Identification with Alli Smith from Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Merlin Bird ID app has connected over 30 million people to the world of birds with its almost magical ability to identify species by sound. This talk will cover how Merlin works behind the scenes and the vital role that birders play in building and improving it. The video recording is available now at- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkcdrGbXrb8
January 20, 2026- Using Equipment & Apps to Record Bird Sounds with Jerry Berrier The video recording is
Curious about how to capture the soundscape around you and bring those recordings home to enjoy and study later? In this session, longtime blind birder and audio enthusiast Jerry Berrier will discuss a variety of accessible tools for recording bird sounds, from simple smartphone apps to more advanced gear. We will talk about what equipment works well for blind and low vision birders, how to get started without spending a lot of money, and practical tips for organizing and sharing your recordings so that listening can deepen both your bird identification skills and your connection with the natural world. for those who weren’t able to join us for this session, it is available at- https://youtu.be/xnOaknMFuCY
February 3, 2026- The Pleasures of a Bird Soundscape with John Kricher
Birds are commonplace and diverse in virtually all of the world’s habitats. They are audio-visually oriented as to how they perceive their world and audio perception is often more important than visual. John Kricher will explain how being attuned to bird sound provides knowledge, learning, and satisfaction.
March 10, 2026- Living on the Wind: How and Why Birds Migrate with Scott Widensaul
Scott will discuss how migratory birds travel extraordinary distances each year, navigating through means that seem more like science fiction than natural history, undergoing almost incomprehensible physical changes as they move across tens of thousands of miles.
April 14, 2026- Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon Info Session
The Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon Info Session is a gathering created by and for blind and low-vision birders, as well as sighted allies, to learn about this global celebration of birds and belonging. Join us to explore how the event works, receive practical tips for accessible birding by ear, and discover resources that can help you and your community participate.
These sessions are open, informal, and designed to support both new and experienced participants. You’ll learn birding-by-ear skills, explore technology for recording and identifying sounds, and connect with a growing community of blind and low-vision birders. You can register for sessions at this link.
Prizes and celebration
All registered participants in the U.S. will be entered into a drawing for donated items. Other participating countries may hold their own drawings, and a list of other countries participating and their contact information will be made available as the event approaches.
After the event, we’ll gather virtually for a post-event celebration to share stories, celebrate results, and reflect on what we learned. Check back soon for an updated list of prize donors and celebration details!
Questions?- For questions, contact Martha Steele at marthajs@verizon.net
Resources for sighted volunteers and bird clubs:
For sighted folks or birding clubs interested in supporting the Bird-a-Thon, please check out these resources:
Brookline, MA created a video called How to Guide a Person With Vision Loss which is a good explainer of how to offer assistance and then guide someone desiring your assistance. Produced by the Town’s Commission on Disability, along with Brookline Age-Friendly Cities TV and Brookline Interactive Group, the video is simple and offers repetition in the demonstrations to make learning and remembering easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eddk-5SBv8
In addition, you can find more birding-specific information in this guide called Birding Field Trips for All that was created by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, in collaboration with Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Adapted Birding Code of Ethics (abridged)
Put birds first. Avoid disturbance, respect habitat, and never use playback recordings to attract birds.
Respect people and places. Follow laws and obtain permission when needed.
Keep bird feeders and nest structures safe.
Be a community birder. Share knowledge generously and practice inclusion in every space you bird.
***
Calendar Event- One-year Anniversary Mix and Mingle Mayday – Madlib Celebration
Save the Date!
Join us as we celebrate one full year of GDUI Mix & Mingle events!
Date- Saturday, May 9
Time- 5:00 PM Eastern
Come enjoy-
- A lively GDUI Mad Lib activity
- A brief check-in with attendees
- Conversation and connection
- and of course, A door prize
This event is open to current members, past members, and guests.
Bring someone who may be interested in GDUI or who supports guide dog users.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
Patty L. Fletcher – Guide Dog Users – GDUI Membership Committee Chair.
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GDUI Award Committee is Accepting Nominations for This Year’s Awards!
Do you know someone who has made significant contributions to the lives of guide dogs and their handlers? Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) would like to
hear from you!
Each year during its annual convention, GDUI recognizes three outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the lives of guide dog teams through their dedication, work, advocacy, and support. Each award is given to honor the individuals for whom they are named, and to recognize the outstanding recipient of the year.
- The Ethel Bender Award: This award is presented each year to honor a sighted person or organization that has provided significant service to the cause of enhancing the well-being of the guide dog and handler community.
- The Moffitt-Gleitz Award: This Award is presented to a person who is blind
and who has significantly contributed to the well-being of the guide dog handling community, and who by his or her contributions, has earned the gratitude and recognition of Guide Dog Users, Inc.
- The Lieberg-Metz Media Award: This award may be presented to an organization, company, or individual, either sighted or blind, who has made
a positive difference in the lives of guide dog teams through radio,
podcasts, television, electronic media, magazines, newsletters, newspapers or books.
Each nomination should contain the name and contact information for the nominee, the name of the person nominating, the award for which the person
is being nominated and a justification for why you think this person or
organization should receive this award. Only members of GDUI may submit
nominations.
Nominations must be received by midnight Central time, Monday, June First, 2026, and should be submitted to Olivia Norman, GDUI awards chair, at
Questions may be directed to Olivia Norman, (202)360-7116 or
The GDUI Awards Committee
Olivia Norman
Lolly Lijewski
Becky Davidson
Sarah Calhoun
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Drawing for Five Plush Dogs in Harness at GDUI 2026 Convention!
We are, yet again, beyond lucky to be the recipients of the generosity and artistry of Hava! The drawing for plush guides in hand-crafted leather working gear features 5 entries- all different breeds! So, meet this year’s string!
- Snickers a female chocolate lab (15” nose to tail, 9” at top of her head)
Don’t let the fact that she is in a play bow cause any concern, Snickers takes her job seriously. However, when her harness comes off she loves nothing better than to cuddle with you!
- Ruffles- a female yellow lab (15” nose to tail, 9” at top of her head )
Ruffles is a girl who is devoted to duty. She loves being at your side; play time- indicated by her being in a play bow ;and in her kennel- where she really digs a nap! No worries, the words “let’s go to work” revs her out of dreamland and into the harness.
- Louis(in honor of St. Louis)- male black lab (15” nose to tail, 9” at top of head )
Louis thinks of guiding as his super power. He loves playing with his ball- he is in a play bow after all, but when he sees the harness come out, he practically leaps into it!
- Kelly (in honor of a friend of Hava‘s who recently passed away)- female golden retriever- (17” tip of nose to tip of tail, 12 “ to top of head)
She is a girl who loves to play, but with her harness on she stands tall and is all business!
- Valor( after a very special Shepherd Guide) male German Shepherd Dog- (17” nose to tail, 11” to top of ears)
Valor has a high prey drive so he is really annoyed by squirrels. He tries to hide this from you, which is why he is standing in a relaxed way, not at attention, so as to advertise his squirrel gazing. Tell him to get back to work and he will immediately return to laser-focused guiding!
All five of these amazing plush guides are kitted out in hand-crafted Hava original tan leather harnesses, with tan leather handles, and martingale straps (similar to the Seeing Eye harness style)
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The Puppy Grew Up and Became- by Patty L. Fletcher
(In honor of Guide Dogs, puppy raisers, Trainers, and Handlers Everywhere!)
Once upon a time long ago,
When you were very small you know.
In the morning’s early dawn you were born,
But all too soon from your mother you were torn.
You were sent to live far away with a family you thought forever you would stay.
You learned the neatest and most awesome tricks.
So much more than chasing sticks.
You learned to sit to rest to lay,
You learned to obey in every way.
You did all these things so very well,
And every day you grew.
All too soon your life changed again,
And you made another new friend.
He was your teacher, your very own guide.
Would you forever walk by his side?
No! This was not to be.
You learned all you could from him,
And then,
You were given to me.
Fast we became best of friends,
And it is with me you will now stay until our work together ends.
***
Safety Alert: Accidental Medication Ingestion
(PET HEALTH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER, Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, usdaninstitute@amcny.org)
Apoquel® Chewable is a prescription allergy medication commonly used in dogs. The tablets are small and pork-liver flavored, which makes them easy to administer — but also appealing to both dogs and cats. Pets that gain access may quickly consume multiple tablets, or even an entire bottle.
After the chewable formulation was introduced in 2023, pet poison control centers reported a marked increase in pets becoming ill after ingesting medication not prescribed for them or consuming more than their prescribed dose. Cases have involved both dogs and cats.
Store all medications in a locked cabinet, out of reach of pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested medication not prescribed for them or consumed more than prescribed, seek veterinary care immediately. You can also contact a pet poison control center for guidance:
- Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (consultation fee applies)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (consultation fee applies)
For more tips on medication safety, visit the link below.
Medication Safety for Pets- https://www.amcny.org/pet_health_library/medication-safety-for-pets/
***
R.I.P. John Byfield
(NAGDU Discussion Group- https://groups.google.com/a/nagdu.org/g/discuss/)
We learned today of the passing of John Byfield. John was likely the most prolific experienced guide dog trainers who ever lived – and that is not hyperbole. John began training guide dogs in the U.K. when he was twenty years old. He trained my current guide dog, Trooper, when he was eighty-three. Trooper was not his last dog to train but nearly.
***
Important Reminder From the GDUI Disaster Assistance & Preparedness Committee (Dapp)
I’d like to take a moment to share an important reminder from the GDUI Disaster Assistance & Preparedness Committee.
We know it has been a long and challenging winter for many, and with recent flooding in Hawaii and the upcoming spring and summer storm seasons, it’s more important than ever to be prepared and to know where support is available.
Our program offers a $200 disaster assistance grant to guide dog handlers across the United States who are impacted by emergencies. Whether it’s severe weather, unexpected events, or other crises, we are here to help support you and your guide dog during difficult times.
If you or someone you know may need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can learn more or contact the program here:
Phone: 866-799-8436
Please remember—you are not alone. We are here for you, and we are ready to help when you need us most.
Stay safe and take care.
Sincerely,
Tammy Robbins DAP committee chair
***
2026 GDUI Blessing Recording Available
You may play or download the GDUI 2026 blessing at the following link. The technical issue which we encountered during the live sharing of this blessing should be resolved in the file below. We are grateful to Laurel and Audrey for another beautiful and heartfelt blessing, and thanks to all who submitted the names which were included.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13kKsm9mc3U-o4PGq2QeTxKYCbfmoVk6v/view
***
DOJ’s Interim Final Rule Regarding ADA Title II
(acblists.org, March 16, 2026)
Dear ACB community,
The US Department of Justice may be coming out with an interim final rule (IFR) without public comment regarding Title II of the ADA. This is an unusual step, as IFRs without public comment are generally reserved only if agencies have a good cause finding that taking comments from the public would be impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. Although we do not know what the IFR will say until it is published, it is likely to alter the protections of Title II of the ADA which we fought so hard for. ACB, along with our colleagues at other the disability rights organizations, has requested a meeting with OIRA, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, in order to document our opposition to this IFR and make our case that the IFR be withdrawn. Some meetings with other orgs have already taken place, but ACB is still waiting for our meeting to be scheduled. We will provide updates as this situation develops. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Grace Hart, Operations Administrator, Advocacy & Accessibility
American Council of the Blind
202-978-2593
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Looking for Transportation?
Find local transportation programs by searching the Rides in Sight database
(Hadley Headlines April 2026)
Rides in Sight is a free, nationwide database that helps older adults and people with vision impairments find information about local transportation options. Visit Rides in Sight and type in your zip code or state to see what options are available where you live.
You can also call them at 855.607.4337.
***
Ask Emily and Garth: Boundaries and the Wisdom of the Working Dog.
By Barbara Hinske and Anthony Corona.
Dear readers,
Welcome back to another visit with Emily and Garth, where lived experience, a little humor, and a lot of heart come together to explore life with our beloved Guide Dogs.
Before we begin, a gentle reminder: we are not professionals. For any medical or behavioral concerns, please consult your veterinarian and your Guide Dog school.
Now, let us step into today’s questions.
Question one: Emma from Austin, Texas.
Dear Emily,
I have several family members who override my guidelines with my Guide Dog Pixie. I have tried to explain to them over and over again that feeding her table food or any food that I have not approved of is not OK. Sometimes they will say things like she looks hungry or she really wants a cookie or a piece of meatball and it is very frustrating. I will at times allow my family to give her an approved treat such as Charlie bears or baby carrots or a piece of apple but how do I get my family to understand it is not OK for them to feed her without my permission.
Emily responds:
Dear Emma,
Oh, I feel this one in my bones. There is something about a sweet Guide Dog face that turns otherwise reasonable humans into snack bandits with zero boundaries.
Here is the truth wrapped in a bow of love and firmness: your dog, your rules. Full stop.
Pixie is not just a pet. She is your partner, your mobility support, your safety system. When people feed her without permission, they are not just sneaking a treat. They are interfering with her training, her focus, and potentially her health.
I would suggest a two-part approach.
First, have a calm but direct conversation when Pixie is not present. Let your family know this is not about being strict or unkind. It is about safety, consistency, and respect. You might say something like, when you feed Pixie without asking me, it makes her job harder and can put me at risk. I need you to respect this boundary every time.
Second, give them a clear yes option. You are already doing this beautifully. Approved treats, given only with your permission. This lets them still feel included without crossing the line.
If they continue, it is okay to reinforce the boundary in the moment. A simple, please do not feed her, I have already explained why, said calmly but firmly, can go a long way.
And if needed, remove Pixie from the situation. Sometimes the strongest message is action.
You are not being difficult. You are being responsible. Pixie is lucky to have you steering the ship.
With understanding and a gentle but sturdy backbone,
Emily.
Garth responds:
Dear Emma,
Let me translate this into dog language for a moment.
Random food from random hands equals confusion.
Confusion equals a distracted dog.
A distracted dog is not doing their job.
And I take my job very seriously.
When your family slips Pixie a meatball or a cookie, they are not just being generous. They are teaching her that rules are optional and that anyone might be the snack dispenser. That is a slippery slope, and not the fun kind that ends with belly rubs.
Here is what I would do if I could stand on two legs and give a speech.
No freelancing with the food.
Only the human with the harness gets to decide.
If they want to help, they can use the approved treats and only when you say so. Otherwise, hands off the menu.
And if they forget, well, a little reminder goes a long way. You can say it nicely. You can say it firmly. But say it every time.
Consistency is how we dogs understand the world. Break the pattern and we start writing our own rules, and trust me, our rules usually involve snacks at all hours.
You are not being strict. You are keeping the contract clear.
And Pixie? She will thank you by doing her job like the superstar she is.
With a wag, a watchful nose, and just a hint of side eye for unauthorized meatballs,
Garth.
Question two: Lawrence from Tacoma, Washington. Dear Emily and Garth,
I have been working with my Guide Dog Dollar for eight years now and I am noticing that he is slowing down a little bit and seems to get distracted more easily, especially around garbage cans and areas where other dogs have been. He is still pretty good with dog distractions and ignoring people who want to interact with him while we are working, but his slowing or stopping to sniff is becoming more frequent. What can I do to remind him that he is still a working dog and do you have any suggestions on how to incorporate a few more breaks in our working stride when we are on longer work days or longer walks.
Emily responds:
Dear Lawrence,
Eight years is a beautiful long partnership. That right there tells me you and Dollar have built something solid, something earned step by step, curb by curb.
What you are seeing is not failure. It is time tapping you on the shoulder.
As Guide Dogs mature, they often begin to slow, not just physically but in how they engage with the world. Those interesting smells you mentioned, they start to matter more. Think of it as a seasoned traveler pausing to notice the scenery.
You can absolutely reinforce his working mindset. Use your voice, your praise, and your cues with intention. A well-timed forward command, paired with encouragement, can remind him of the job. Reward the moments when he chooses focus over distraction.
At the same time, this is where partnership deepens.
Build in breaks before he asks for them. If you know you have a long route, plan small pauses. Let him sniff, reset, breathe. When he gets that opportunity in a structured way, he is more likely to stay engaged during work time.
You might think of it like chapters in a book. Work, then pause. Focus, then release. It keeps the story flowing without burning out the main character.
Also, consider checking in with your Guide Dog school. They can help you assess whether Dollar is simply aging gracefully or beginning the transition toward retirement.
There is no loss in this stage. There is only evolution.
You are not just guiding each other through streets anymore. You are guiding each other through time.
With warmth and respect for the journey,
Emily.
Garth responds:
Dear Lawrence,
Eight years on the job? That is not just a career. That is a legacy.
Let me give it to you straight from the canine side of the leash.
The world is basically a giant newspaper written in scent. Every garbage can is breaking news. Every patch of sidewalk is a headline. After eight years, Dollar has read a lot of stories, but he still wants to check the latest edition.
That does not mean he has forgotten his job. It means he is experienced enough to know there is more than one thing happening at once.
Here is the deal.
Remind him of the job with your cues, yes. A confident forward, a bit of praise when he locks back in, maybe a well-timed reward when he chooses work over sniffing. We do notice those things.
But also, give the guy a scheduled sniff break. Not a sneaky one. A real one. Harness off or relaxed, go ahead and read the news, my friend.
When we know a break is coming, it is easier to stay focused during work time. When we never get one, well, we start trying to take them anyway.
Also, a little honesty from one working dog to a human.
Slowing down happens. Bodies change. Noses get wiser. Energy shifts.
That is not the end of the story. It is just a different chapter.
Keep an eye on how he is doing overall. If the distractions are increasing a lot or the pace changes significantly, a check-in with your Guide Dog school is a smart move.
But do not forget this part.
He is not just your Guide Dog. He is your partner who has been showing up for you every single day for eight years.
So yes, keep him on task.
But also let him enjoy the occasional headline.
With a professional nose and just enough sass to admit I would absolutely stop at that garbage can too,
Garth.
Dear readers,
Do you have a question for Emily and Garth. Send it in to Sunday edition at anthonycorona.com.
Barbara Hinske’s latest novel in the Emily and Garth series, Growing the Circle, is available wherever you get your books or audiobooks. When you do, please take a moment to like, comment, and leave a review. Every acknowledgment helps drive the algorithm and helps the Emily and Garth stories reach as many people as possible.
For more Emily and Garth, along with a full menu of stories, podcasts, and features, visit www.anthonycorona.com, the home of the Sunday Edition family of podcast and digital media content services.
****
Drawing for Five Plush Dogs in Harness at GDUI 2026 Convention!
We are, yet again, beyond lucky to be the recipients of the generosity and artistry of Hava! The drawing for plush guides in hand-crafted leather working gear features 5 entries- all different breeds! So, meet this year’s string!
- Snickers a female chocolate lab (15” nose to tail, 9” at top of her head)
Don’t let the fact that she is in a play bow cause any concern, Snickers takes her job seriously. However, when her harness comes off she loves nothing better than to cuddle with you!
- Ruffles- a female yellow lab (15” nose to tail, 9” at top of her head )
Ruffles is a girl who is devoted to duty. She loves being at your side; play time- indicated by her being in a play bow ;and in her kennel- where she really digs a nap! No worries, the words “let’s go to work” revs her out of dreamland and into the harness.
- Louis(in honor of St. Louis)- male black lab (15” nose to tail, 9” at top of her head )
Louis thinks of guiding as his super power. He loves playing with his ball- he is in a play bow after all, but when he sees the harness come out, he practically leaps into it!
- Kelly (in honor of a friend of Hava‘s who recently passed away)- female golden retriever- (17” tip of nose to tip of tail, 12 “ to top of head)
She is a girl who loves to play, but with her harness on she stands tall and is all business!
- Valor( after a very special Shepherd Guide) male German Shepherd Dog- (17” nose to tail, 11” to top of ears)
Valor has a high prey drive so he is really annoyed by squirrels. He tries to hide this from you, which he is standing in a relaxed way not at attention so as to advertise his squirrel gazing. Tell him to get back to work and he will immediately return to laser-focused guiding!
All five of these amazing plush guides are kitted out in hand-crafted Hava original tan leather harnesses, with tan leather handles, and martingale straps (similar to the Seeing Eye harness style)
****
Court Denies Uber’s Motion to Dismiss DOJ Lawsuit
Applying the Americans with Disabilities Act to Ridesharing Companies
April 10, 2026 LSB11417
[From: Applying the Americans with Disabilities Act to Ridesharing Companies – EveryCRSReport.com]
Emerging technology often creates new issues in antidiscrimination law. Technologies like rideshare apps have opened up convenient transportation opportunities for many people with
and without disabilities; however, some people with disabilities have alleged that these new services are leaving them behind. In September 2025, the Department
of Justice (DOJ)
sued Uber Technologies, Inc. (Uber), alleging that the company discriminated against passengers with disabilities. The DOJ is bringing claims under
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), which prohibits disability discrimination by certain transportation operators and requires them to make reasonable accommodations for passengers with disabilities. On March 5, 2026, the district court denied Uber’s motion to dismiss.
The DOJ’s suit is the latest foray in ADA litigation against the ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft, Inc. (Lyft). Passengers with disabilities have also
attempted to enforce the ADA against these companies with mixed success. Blind passengers have achieved victories in the early stages of litigation and
at one point entered into a nationwide settlement with Uber to secure their right to travel with service animals. Passengers who use wheelchairs, on the
other hand, have settled some cases but struggled to convince courts that ridesharing companies must make changes to better serve their needs. This Legal
Sidebar reviews the portions of the ADA that may govern ridesharing companies and the application of that law in recent litigation. The Sidebar then turns
to DOJ enforcement actions—including the pending lawsuit against Uber.
Does the ADA Cover Ridesharing Companies?
Congress enacted the ADA to “provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.” To that end,
the primary titles of the ADA address disability discrimination in three broad contexts: employment ( Title I ), state and local government ( Title II), and public accommodations and commercial facilities (Title III). Title III contains two provisions that may apply to ridesharing companies. First, the law prohibits disability discrimination in “specified public transportation services provided by a private entity that is primarily engaged in the business of transporting
people and whose operations affect commerce.” In turn, the law
defines “specified public transportation” as transportation by any vehicle other than aircraft “that provides the general public with general or special service (including charter service) on a regular and continuing basis.” Regulations from the Department of Transportation, which
shares authority with the DOJ for implementing Title III, make clear
that this provision applies to taxi services. Second, Title III
applies to “any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation.” The law defines “public accommodation” to include a “travel service … or other service establishment.”
In litigation, the ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft have
Argued that these provisions do not cover them. Addressing ADA’s provisions governing specified public transportation, the ridesharing companies contend
that they are not “primarily engaged in the business of transporting people,” because the companies do not own, lease, or dispatch cars. Rather, they
argue, they develop and license software platforms to allow independent drivers and riders to connect. In their view, this distinction makes them technology companies, not taxi services.
Courts have largely disagreed and held that Uber and Lyft are covered by Title III’s rules for specified public transportation. In one representative
order, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California pointed out that Uber has held itself out as a transportation company in the past and that it has significant control over the rides offered through its platform, including where services are offered, the types of services available, the price of rides, and driver standards. The court, and
others like it, held that such facts subject ridesharing companies to Title III.
The ridesharing companies have also asserted that they do not “operate a place of public accommodation” because they do not own or operate any property
open to the public. At least one court
has agreed, holding that “places of public accommodation” must be “actual, physical places” such as a storefront or office, and that neither the vehicles
that drive for ridesharing companies nor the customers’ pick up and drop off locations qualify. Other courts have entertained the claim that Uber and Lyft could be public accommodations without issuing a definitive ruling. Whether ridesharing companies are covered as specified public transportation services or as public accommodations makes little difference to their legal
obligations. So long as one of these provisions applies, the substantive requirements under the ADA are the same.
The next section discusses how those requirements have been applied in cases against Uber and Lyft.
What Does the ADA Require of Ridesharing Companies?
Under the ADA, specified public transportation services and public accommodations must follow a number of antidiscrimination requirements. As relevant
to suits against ridesharing companies, both in substance and frequency, discrimination under the ADA and its implementing regulations includes
list of 6 items
- denying service to people with disabilities or providing them with unequal services;
- failing to “make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures” when necessary to allow people with disabilities to use their services, unless
the defendant can show that a requested modification would “fundamentally alter” its services;
- imposing unnecessary “eligibility criteria that screen out or tend to screen out” people with disabilities from using the defendant’s services;
- refusing to remove physical and communication barriers when doing so is “readily achievable”;
- refusing to transport riders with service animals or stow mobility aids; and
- charging additional fees to people with disabilities, including fees for reasonable modifications.
list end
The ADA does not require any company to purchase accessible automobiles.
Per CRS review of the case law, most private ADA litigation against ridesharing companies has been brought by or on behalf of wheelchair users seeking access to wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) through Uber and Lyft, and blind passengers seeking to enforce their right to travel with service animals. The DOJ has litigated against Uber and Lyft over drivers’ alleged refusal to transport stowable mobility aids, allegedly discriminatory
wait-time fees, and
other issues.
Litigation to Increase WAV Availability Prospective Uber and Lyft passengers who use wheelchairs have filed lawsuits arguing that the companies are violating the ADA by failing to make WAVs available
to them. Both Uber and Lyft allow riders to hail WAVs in a limited number of jurisdictions, through UberWAV
and Lyft Wheelchair rides
(formally called Lyft Access), respectively.
According to records developed in litigation, the companies have largely offered WAV services only in jurisdictions with local regulations either requiring these services
or incentivizing them, or where the companies have developed partnerships to subsidize such services.
Plaintiffs
in cities where Uber and Lyft either do not offer WAVs or where riders allegedly experience lesser service have argued that Uber and Lyft could change their practices to make WAV service broadly available. Wheelchair users have also
argued that Uber’s vehicle rules barring aftermarket modifications effectively keep WAVs off their app. At least one set of plaintiffs has
claimed that Lyft’s failure to display its accessible mode in their region violates the ADA’s requirement that companies remove barriers to access when doing
so is “readily achievable.” Courts have held
that such allegations present plausible ADA claims. That is,
courts thus far have accepted, at the outset of litigation, that Uber and Lyft could be required to modify their services to make WAVs more broadly available.
Some of these cases have settled on confidential terms after plaintiffs survived Uber’s and Lyft’s initial attempts to have the suits dismissed.
Plaintiffs have been much less successful once the evidence has been fully developed at trial. In the three cases CRS has identified
that went to trial, the courts found for the ridesharing companies, ruling that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated that there was a reasonable way to require ridesharing companies to expand WAV services. The ADA requires covered entities to modify their policies to provide access to people with disabilities, but only when such modifications are “reasonable” and do not
fundamentally alter the entities’ services. Fundamentally, the courts
held that the plaintiffs’ proposals were unreasonable because
none was likely to result in meaningful WAV service on the apps. Whatever improvements could result from plaintiffs’ suggestions, courts have
held, would not be justified by the
cost. One court rejected
suggestions from plaintiffs that Lyft take a trial-and-error approach, holding that the ADA requires plaintiffs to put forward “concrete” modification
proposals, not an “iterative process.” Moreover, one
court held, it is the low supply of WAV drivers interested in driving for ridesharing companies, not those companies’ policies, that “screen out” wheelchair
users. Additionally, one court has rejected the claim that making an accessible mode available in a rideshare app is a form of barrier removal within the meaning of the ADA.
Litigation Over Service-Animal Access
Both Lyft and Uber have policies
requiring drivers to accept passengers with service animals. Nevertheless, in 2014, the
National Federation of the Blind (NFB) sued Uber,
alleging that Uber violated the ADA when NFB members were routinely denied rides, charged cancellation fees after drivers denied service, and left stranded in extreme
weather. Even if drivers accepted blind riders with service animals, the NFB alleged, they sometimes harassed them.
In denying Uber’s motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ claims, the court observed that Uber did not contest that it provided “specified public transportation service,” and
the court found plaintiffs’ allegations that Uber was a public accommodation plausible. The case settled in 2016. The settlement agreement
required Uber to use a pop-up notification to inform drivers of their obligation to transport service animals and limited cleaning fees that could be charged for service animals. Uber also
agreed to terminate drivers for knowingly refusing to transport a rider because of their service animal, to change its app and its website to make service animal
complaints easier to report, and to
reimburse trip cancellation charges riders wrongfully incurred.
The agreement included a period of monitoring, which expired in 2020. NFB sought an extension of monitoring, alleging that blind riders were still commonly
turned away. The court denied the extension, stating that Uber was in “substantial compliance” with the terms of the agreement and had reduced discriminatory incidents, “albeit only
slightly.”
Litigation Over Stowable Mobility Aids
In 2020, the DOJ
settled with Lyft over its treatment of riders with stowable wheelchairs and walkers. Unlike passengers in the cases involving WAVs discussed above, these passengers
could ride in unmodified cars but needed assistance stowing their devices. The DOJ
alleged that Lyft drivers regularly refused to provide that assistance.
As part of the settlement, Lyft agreed to make
changes to its wheelchair policy, and it now
requires drivers to transport riders with “foldable mobility devices” and to assist them to stow those devices “unless physically unable to do so.” Lyft also agreed
to new procedures to ensure drivers had reviewed its policy and to train its drivers and
discipline those who refused to take wheelchair users or harassed them. Lyft paid $42,000 to
four named complainants and $40,000 in
civil penalties to the United States. Lyft
agreed to refund trip-cancellation fees, provide a $10 credit to people with disabilities who were refused service, and
monitor compliance and report to the DOJ
during the three-year agreement.
Litigation Over Wait-Time Fees Rideshare apps sometime charge wait-time fees for riders who take more than a few minutes to reach the vehicle. In 2021, the DOJ
settled with Uber over wait-time fees charged to riders whose disabilities made it hard to reach Uber rides within the allotted time.
The DOJ alleged that Uber charged the fees even when it knew disability was the reason a rider could not board within the allotted time. According to the DOJ, Uber sometimes,
but not always, refunded these fees to riders with disabilities upon request. The DOJ
alleged that Uber violated the ADA in not making a reasonable modification to its fees policy for riders with disabilities. The
district court denied Uber’s motion to dismiss, and the case settled.
Under the settlement, Uber agreed to policy
changes. Riders can now
certify, via an online form,
that they or a frequent companion have a disability and need more time to board. These riders will not be charged wait-time fees. Riders can also seek
a refund if they are charged wait-time fees for disability-related delays. In the end, the settlement provided several million dollars in
compensation to more than 65,000 Uber users.
Lyft similarly charges wait-time fees.
As of this writing, Lyft users with disabilities can request a wait-time-fee refund if they needed more time to board due to disability. Riders can also request a waiver of future wait-time fees for disability reasons upon completing an online certification.
Latest DOJ Action: United States v. Uber Technologies, Inc.
In September 2025, the DOJ sued
Uber alleging a number of ADA violations, some not previously litigated and some echoing issues arising in prior matters. The DOJ alleged that Uber drivers
mistreat riders who look disabled (such as walking with a
limp)and do not accommodate riders
who need to ride in the front seat because of a disability. According to the DOJ, some drivers
refuse to help with stowable wheelchairs and other mobility aids, even when they help nondisabled passengers with luggage. Some drivers also allegedly
refuse to serve riders with service animals. At times, according to the complaint, drivers tell riders that the animals should be muzzled or ride in the
trunk; improperly ask riders for animals’ “
papers” or charge improper cleaning fees; and sometimes
direct riders with service animals to “Uber Pet,” a higher-priced service.
Besides detailing individual drivers’ discrimination, the DOJ alleged Uber’s own actions violate the ADA. According to the complaint, Uber sometimes charges
cancellation fees when drivers refuse to transport people with disabilities. While the company will sometimes redress such fees with credits, it has allegedly capped credits
for some riders who seek them too often—even though disabled riders report frequent denials of service. Uber also allegedly fails to
train drivers on its policies and does not discipline drivers who discriminate, in violation of ADA
regulations.
Uber filed a motion to dismiss, which the district court
denied. In response to Uber’s assertion that it is a technology company that is not subject to Title III of the ADA, the court
indicated that other courts have “soundly rejected” this argument. The court also concluded that, at the motion-to-dismiss stage, Uber could not avoid the suit
by blaming its drivers. The DOJ, it said, alleged “sufficient instances of Uber’s practices and participation in the discrimination” and offered adequate allegations “that Uber maintains sufficient control over its drivers to support holding Uber vicariously liable for the drivers’ conduct.” The litigation is
ongoing.
Considerations for Congress
As with other emerging technologies, how the ADA applies to ridesharing companies is within Congress’s control. Congress could amend the ADA to specify
whether these companies are covered and what their obligations should be. Congress can also determine whether general principles in the ADA should be amended,
or not, in light of the ridesharing cases. Courts have
held, for example, that ADA defendants need not engage in trial-and-error processes—implementing plaintiffs’ suggested changes and then seeing if they work—to determine whether they can reasonably accommodate a person’s, or class of people’s, disability. In cases involving novel technologies or other areas that lack developed solutions for disability access, that may make it difficult for certain plaintiffs to demonstrate the availability of workable accommodations. On the other hand, trial-and-error processes may be more burdensome for ADA defendants.
If it chooses to, Congress could also address access to ridesharing platforms outside of the ADA. Several localities have passed laws
requiring ridesharing companies to make WAVs available on their platforms. Other
jurisdictions have financially incentivized ridesharing companies to do so, or penalized them for not providing WAV access. Congress could consider such approaches.
Lyft Reaches Settlement in Minnesota
[Dots and Dashes March 16, 2026]
The rideshare company Lyft recently reached a settlement in Minnesota that will have national implications. College student Tori Andres asked the Minnesota Department of Human Rights to investigate Lyft after Lyft drivers repeatedly denied rides to Tori and her guide dog Alfred.
The Department found that the denials amounted to violations of the state’s Human Rights Act. The settlement includes provisions for Lyft drivers across the nation to be trained in the rights of passengers with disabilities, warnings that drivers could be deactivated if they deny rides to people with service animals or wheelchairs, and that Lyft will follow up on every complaint of ride refusal. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights will monitor Lyft for compliance with these and other terms of the settlement for three years.
To read the full article, visit- https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-lyft-settlement-service-animals-905b73f3198cc720add9de9e309eb982
***
GDUI Position Statement: Restoring Guide Dog Handlers’ Air Travel Independence: A Call for Airlines to Eliminate Overly Burdensome Documentation Barriers
March 28, 2026
Guide Dog Users Inc. (GDUI) calls for airlines to immediately reform their documentation requirements for guide dog teams. Current Department of Transportation (DOT) attestation policies have transformed what should be a straightforward right into a complex administrative burden. This effectively limits the independence of guide dog handlers through unnecessary, bureaucratic requirements.
Core Position
GDUI advocates for airlines to recognize and accept verbal attestation as prescribed in the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by requiring answers to the following two questions:
- Is that a trained service dog?
- What task or tasks is the dog trained to perform to mitigate a disability?
This streamlined approach would restore travel independence while maintaining legitimate safety protocols.
Today’s attestation policies:
- Restrict spontaneous travel opportunities
- Impose often inaccessible advance notice requirements
- Create needless technical and bureaucratic barriers
- Undermine the spirit and intent of access laws
Practical Solution
Our proposed verification approach would:
- Restore travel flexibility and independence
- Eliminate often inaccessible advance submissions
- Reduce administrative complexity for airlines
Legal Framework
The Air Carrier Access Act established clear access rights for guide dog teams. Current policies have eroded these protections through excessive administrative requirements. Our solution better serves both safety needs and legal obligations.
Call to Action
GDUI calls upon airlines to:
- Recognize the current ACAA and ADA attestation requirements for passengers traveling with guide dogs, along with observed behavior, equipment and visible proof of Rabies vaccination as sufficient verification
- Eliminate advance submission mandates
- Partner with guide dog organizations on implementation
Path Forward
GDUI stands ready to work with airlines to restore independent travel for guide dog handlers, while maintaining appropriate health, safety and security standards and addressing expressed concerns. We seek to rebuild a system that honors both legitimate concerns and the fundamental right of guide dog handlers to travel safely and independently.
GDUI Advocacy Committee
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
***
Worship Q&A-
(Pine Tree Guide Dog Users Monthly News Update: April 2026- www.PineTreeGuideDogUsers.org/monthly-news-updates)
Wondering if churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, or other places of worship are required to allow service animals? According to the ADA’s Frequently Asked Questions About Service Animals, the answer is no—religious institutions and organizations are specifically exempt. However, some state laws may still apply to these organizations.
Learn more- https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
***
Their Power Feels Like Mine’: A Dog Sled Racer Says Goodbye to Her Pack
After 20 years of racing, I wanted to take my sled dogs back into the wilderness.
By Blair Braverman
(The New York Times- https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/magazine/sled-dogs-pack-racing-mushing.html)
Mushing blurs what it means to be wild. One night, my sled dogs and I were gliding through a birch forest in Wisconsin when a black wolf emerged from the
trees and ran beside us. None of the dogs even barked. They treated him as a peer, which unnerved me — the eye contact they made. If my dogs related to
the wolf, and I to them, then what did that make me? Another time, in Saskatchewan, a wolf followed us for a hundred miles. I never saw it move, but each
time I turned around, it stood in the trail with its chin high.
We were 11 of us then, crossing a chain of frozen lakes, and wind blew hard across the ice. The trail was blown smooth; sometimes the dogs stepped off
its edges and stumbled neck-deep in the fluff, or my sled caught the lip and flipped onto its side. It was cold, 30 below zero, and the wind made it colder.
My legs grew numb below the knees, and the dogs’ fur lifted in waves. At night, the aurora cast a pearly, shifting glow over the landscape. I’d turn sometimes,
look back, and sure enough, there was the wolf: always standing, watching, at the edge of my headlamp’s beam. It was chasing our crumbs, I think. I gave
each dog a frozen chicken thigh every hour, and when they chewed, they left chips of meat in the snow.
I fell in love with mushing almost two decades ago, when I was 18. I wanted to run expeditions: mushing long distances on our own, camping out in the snow.
It’s an ancient way to cross the north, and it feels ancient, a way of stepping into timelessness for as long as the trip lasts.
Still, the sport has evolved. A hundred years ago, trappers and mail carriers traversed ungroomed routes with well-muscled dogs, and hunters hauled seals and walruses home by sled. It wasn’t until the rise of long-distance racing in the 1970s — an effort to revive sled-dog culture after snowmobiles made
subsistence mushing obsolete — that dog teams grew longer, and the dogs lighter and faster. These days, most sled dogs are Alaskan huskies, a fancy name for northern-breed mutts with a yearning to pull and a dash of hound for speed.
I never intended to race. But a musher I worked for was racing anyway, and he lent me his extra team. Later, when my husband learned to mush and we got our own dogs, he liked planning for races, making measurable goals, and he encouraged me to compete. I won a two-day race against 20-odd teams in my second season, and peaked in the top five in two major marathons: the 300-mile Canadian Challenge — that year was a 40-below ordeal that half my competitors didn’t
complete — and the infamous Kobuk, which crosses 440 miles of wind-pummeled Arctic terrain.
I wasn’t a natural racer; I sought adventure more than speed. But I had two main strengths. Like the dogs, I didn’t quit. And I was efficient at checkpoints,
those camps or villages en route where teams can rest and resupply. I could churn through tasks: making straw beds for the dogs, taking off their booties,
lighting the methanol cooker, melting snow, thawing meat, doling out stew, tucking the dogs under blankets, massaging their muscles, then repeating those
steps in reverse, with little or no sleep myself, before mushing another 40 miles down the trail and doing it all again and again. Checkpoints are where
most mushers lose time, even if their dogs are fast: The sleeping bag’s too enticing, and the booties’ ice-crusted Velcro gets stuck to itself when your
hands are fumbling cold.
For a while, my racing career, like a dog sled, went only one direction: I entered longer events each season. Seven years back, I lived in a dry cabin
in Alaska, 60 miles from the nearest neighbor or road, and finished the 1,000-mile Iditarod — a colossal journey over the Alaska Range, up the frozen Yukon
River and across ice on the Bering Sea — on my first try. When the dogs and I reached trail’s end, in the tiny city of Nome, the bustling world was too
much. I wanted to turn around, where they and I could be alone.
Winters passed. My race dogs grew old, as dogs do, as people do, and retired one by one to gentler lifestyles, adventures more their speed. Their pups
and grandpups, passionate and green, took their places on the line. And then last spring, at the end of the season, my husband and I separated. We’d been
through fire: running successive Iditarods, spending years in a one-room cabin with no plumbing and 30 dogs, training the race team — a herculean task
— together. In losing him, losing the witness to my life, I felt our years together becoming less real, flattened into one human memory instead of two.
That’s the thing about divorce: You’re losing not just the future you pictured, but also the past as you knew it.
Now he has most of the dogs. After an all-consuming decade, my racing career crashed suddenly to a stop. So I began this past winter with a vision: to
gather my still-living retirees and return to the wilderness together. They’re old, so we wouldn’t go far. Just a two-day trip at the top of Minnesota.
As I, and they, faced retirement from racing, I hoped they would teach me how to move on. I hoped they knew that we would always be a team.
So many times, in the hardest moments, I’ve wished Pepé could lead my life as she does the team. Pressed my face into her neck, begged, What do I do? She
never answers. She just sits straighter and looks away.
As a lead dog, running in front of the others, Pepé’s job is to guide the team. Where she goes, the other dogs follow, and eventually I — swinging behind
them on a sled with no steering and only a metal claw that scrapes snow as a suggestion of a brake — follow, too. A musher is like a water-skier behind
a boat, making requests he cannot possibly enforce. For this reason, the relationship between musher and lead dog is intimate and intense. Each time I
call directions to Pepé — gee and haw for right and left, or on by, or straight ahead, or whoa — it’s with the understanding that she will comply only
if she agrees, and she will agree only to the extent that she regards me as competent and useful. I prove my use by learning and anticipating her needs.
I lose credibility by doing silly things like crying into the fur of her neck.
Emotion embarrasses Pepé. She is stoic and rarely wags; when she expresses excitement, it’s generally for work alone. I have a recurring insecurity that
she doesn’t like me very much. Who could blame her? She’s cooler than I’ll ever be. I can’t count the storms she has led me through, glancing back with
a look of simultaneous exasperation and pride before veering hard down some unmarked trail that happens, of course, to be a shortcut home. In the Kobuk,
on sea ice, she muscled through a ground blizzard, as the wind whipped fallen snow into a blinding haze. At the finish line, a former Iditarod champion
asked to buy her for $5,000 on the spot.
After that race, the other dogs and I rode in a snowmobile trailer around Kotzebue, a village in Alaska. Pepé, who had just run 440 miles in three days,
refused to ride with us. Instead, she kept pace, miraculously, with the machine, white paws swinging in an impossibly fast trot, ears flapping and eyes
half-closed against the ice wind.
Pepé hasn’t officially retired; at almost 13, her body has slowed, but she still trained with my ex for much of the winter, joining every run she could.
But she will, naturally, be leading this trip, along with six of her old peers. Colbert, the eldest, came from champion lines, sold from team to team until
a friend offered him to me free — and though I wasn’t looking for a dog, I saw his shaggy face and fell in love. He had a low top speed, falling back when
lighter dogs broke into a lope. But he was always first to his feet, barking to run, no matter how short the break. And man, can he eat — an asset for
sled dogs, who, despite marathon workouts that burn more than 10,000 calories at a time, don’t always care for food. (Pepé, unnervingly, takes hunger strikes
that last for days.) Once, 900 miles into a race, I woke from a nap to find Colbert grinning stupidly and discovered that he’d sneaked into my sled and
eaten 10 pounds of frozen chicken skin while I slept. We put him on a bush plane to the finish line because he was too full to run.
Spike and Clem are littermates, brothers, sons of Pepé, both 9. They’re handsome to a fault, square-jawed and robust. Clem tumbled through puppyhood, slow
and round, and found his athleticism with age. He has an unshakable good cheer and an obsession with scratches on the rump. Spike was the beast of the
litter, a jock from Day 1. He never waited for milk; he simply plowed through his siblings, knocking them aside. Now he lows like a cow at small discomforts,
like when I work a burr from his fur. Spike and Clem, though they’ve chilled with age, were cutthroat nemeses for years. I ran their sister Willow between
them to keep the peace.
Willow is plain brown, big for a girl, with the kind of wide-eyed innocence that makes you forget how good she is at raiding your pocket for snacks. She
loves breaking trail through powder and is, like her brothers, a cuddler; she’ll ram her head right into your chest.
Her daughter Dora is the youngest here, and still races sometimes, but at 7 — middle-aged — she’s lost the freneticism of her youth. She’s brilliant, desperate
to please, but used to be too energetic to sit or stay on command; for her first three years, every picture I took of her was blurred. When Dora was spayed
and needed rest to heal, I put her in a bunk in the dog truck because she liked it more than a crate. An hour later, she’d gnawed out; her head stuck through
the truck’s wall with a maniacal smile. Even being spayed couldn’t stop her: Years later, she gave birth to two puppies anyway, which seemed like a very
Dora thing to do.
Boudica, 11, is Pepé’s half-sister and a lead dog herself. She gives creepy, endearing kisses; she pushes her snout into your eyeball, then extends the
warm tip of her tongue. Years ago, Boudica was attacked by another dog, and when I couldn’t pull them apart, I threw my body over hers to shield her. Felt
her trembling beneath me, the other snarling above. This desperate move, plus emergency treatment, helped Boudica pull through. Later that year, a Jack
Russell bit me in the face; he had jumped at my dinner plate, and I, accustomed to sled dogs, growled to warn him away. That doesn’t work with terriers.
Another musher gave me nine stitches in the mouth by headlamp. Boudica and I recuperated together; we both still have the scars. I’d wake at night to find
her forehead pressed on mine.
For this reunion trip, I’m mushing from Chilly Dogs, a retirement kennel for racing sled dogs in Ely, Minn., that is run by my friend Jake Hway, his wife,
Jess, and their four ultracompetent kids. It’s where many of my older dogs now live. The kennel’s concept is simple: When sled dogs slow down, at 8 or
9 or 11, they can get discouraged. They feel bad about not keeping up with their friends. Then they come to Chilly Dogs, where they’re the youngest, and
get a new lease on life, pulling tourists at their own pace and teaching scouts how to mush in the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
The place is cacophonous, a sea of play-wrestling and wagging tails, but I try to stay focused, packing my sled with gear and straw and meat. It feels
good to gather the team. Pepé scouts the trail while I prep Colbert, pulling the harness snug on his thick chest. Clem pushes his head against my cheek.
When the dogs are hooked up, they jump and wail, desperate to start the run. I grip the sled hard and untie the rope that holds them back.
Then the dogs surge, and the sled yanks me forward, and we’re flowing down a narrow trail through ice-glazed aspen and black spruce. There’s the sound
of breath, the hish of the runners, the sled rattling slightly over bumps. It’s just after noon, but we’re north, so the sun hangs low. The trees cast
blue stripes on the golden snow.
I always get a rush of adrenaline at the start of a run. It’s the shift in control from myself to the dogs — the fact that they’re stronger than I am,
and we’re entering wilderness, and my influence on the trip’s outcome is largely determined by their grace. But this time, my nerves dissolve fast. I know
them so well — Spike’s fur poking up through his harness, Boudica’s bouncing right ear — that being a team, tied together and moving fast, is like returning
into my own body. I feel their movements through the sled, passing into my fingers, my feet. New mushers are shocked, always, by a dog team’s power. This
power feels like mine.
Colbert is slack, his tug line bouncing behind him, and I ride the sled brake with one heel, slowing the team to his pace. Normally, dogs don’t wag while
they run — they’re too focused — but his tail half-lifts, scraggly tip circling anyway. Including him means we can’t run far, maybe five miles instead
of 30, which is itself much shorter than the hundred-mile days these dogs ran at their peak. But I can’t leave him, not when he wants to come. How many
hours have I watched that shaggy back lope up the trail? How many hours do I have left?
In lead, Pepé and her granddaughter Dora set the pace in unison, a perfect copy-paste. They’re both dark gray, catching the light, and though I know their
gaits, their tails, the rhythm of their ears, who slows down to bite snow, who’s prone to looking back, who wants to flirt with passing teams, whose fur
gets stickier with frost, I think, watching grandmother and granddaughter together, that if it weren’t for the stripe of white on Pepé’s head, flashing
up as she bounds, I wouldn’t be certain who was who.
Now Pepé glances down, to the right, and I see shadows in the snow ahead. Wolf tracks, crossing the trail before forking to the left.
Her gait doesn’t change, but her eyes follow, and she turns her chin to the side. I graze my foot on the brake, sending a minuscule twang through the line.
Pepé’s head snaps forward. She thought of chasing the tracks; now she won’t.
The rest of the dogs don’t even know.
But there are more spoor ahead — three, four — and soon the others notice, too. Spike’s gait, normally so smooth, jolts as he sniffs the snow. Clem spurs
from a trot to a run. The wolves were just here. Jake snowmobiled the trail this morning; the prints cross over his tracks.
The smell of wolves excites the dogs. They want to run faster. But Colbert is getting tired; he lumbers, even as I ride the brake. And too quickly, the
miles pass.
We reach a bog, crusted white, with dry grass and cattails poking through the snow. To the east, a small hill, covered with alder and pine. Sled dogs,
even old ones, hate to stop; Colbert patters his feet when I call, Whoa. I tie the sled to a tamarack, so they don’t take off without me, and start to
unload.
The rituals of making camp are soothing, especially today. It’s unseasonably warm, 30 degrees. My hands are bare, and my parka’s in the sled, along with
mittens I stitched from the fur of two beavers that these dogs once ate. I cut the twine on a straw bale, pulling apart the dusty flakes, and shake them
into seven mounds. Six dogs rearrange the beds, nosing and turning until the straw feels right. Pepé ignores her mound and makes for the rest of the bale,
which she occupies like a throne.
The cattails are damp, poor tinder, so I shred birch bark into fluff and light it with a match. Willow rests her paw on my thigh as I kneel to feed the
flame. Spike licks my chin with his massive tongue. Finally, the fire crackles, and orange feathers wrap the logs. I melt snow in a kettle, propping it
on the burning wood, and duck when the smoke spins toward me. Once the water bubbles, I add it to beef and kibble, then dole out dishes to the dogs. Colbert’s
done eating before the others even start; he licks his lips and eyes their steaming bowls. Pepé dumps her meat on the snow, uninterested.
For a time, we curl up together, watching the sky turn pink. The fire grows low and the air colder. One by one, the dogs sink into sleep.
Everyone but Pepé.
At first, I think she’s guarding her meat. Standing at the edge of the camp’s packed snow, half-facing the darkness. I call, patting the straw beside me,
but she looks away. Why won’t she come near me? And why guard her food when the others are asleep?
I wish she’d come over, let me pet her. She’s just so damn cool.
“Pepé,” I say, but she doesn’t respond.
Her chin sinks, and for a moment she bows and stumbles before shaking her head to wake up. As sleepy as I’ve ever seen her, but she won’t lie down.
Then a twig cracks, and she meets my eyes.
“It’s OK,” I say.
Her ears twitch.
“It was just a bird.”
Pepé licks her nose. She stares at me a moment longer, then turns back to the night. Her head sinks again, lower, and she snaps it back up.
And suddenly I understand. Pepé’s not avoiding me; she’s working with me. I’m sitting up, so she’s sitting up. We’re guarding our team together.
I’ve never been good at letting go. Look at the dogs now: sprawled, content, shrouded in frost and breath, and sorrow is punching me in the ribs. I can’t
bear the thought that it won’t last.
Dogs’ lives pass faster than ours. I’ve watched them, loved them, for generations. Willow, Pepé’s daughter, had her own puppies seven years back. When
her labor came, I sat nearby, as ripples passed through her fur like waves. Her eyes were closed. Eventually, like a burp, out slid her first.
He was huge. Round-bellied. Brown fur, pebble ears, one dab of a white paw. For a second, I saw him grown — tall and beaver-brown, white paw prancing in
the snow. Then Willow licked him and his head fell back. He was steaming warm, and dead.
Willow pressed her tongue to his face, bracing him with her paw, and pushed him to her belly to drink. He flopped over. She licked harder, frantic. Finally,
she lifted him with her mouth, arching her neck. In one movement, she opened her throat and swallowed her baby whole.
I could barely breathe. I didn’t know what to do.
Willow sighed and lay back down. New pulses passed through her. She straightened her tail and another puppy slid out, gummy with slime. Small this time.
Black and white. This puppy was dead, too.
“No!” I said, though I didn’t mean to speak; the word just appeared in my voice. Not another dead pup. I wouldn’t allow it. I took the puppy from Willow,
before she could lick it, and lifted it to my face. A limp girl. Her markings uneven, as if she’d been dipped in paint. No breath. No heartbeat at all.
I didn’t know what I was doing, but I did it anyway. With those tiny ribs in my hands, her skin like membrane, I pumped her chest with the flesh of my
palms, squeezing fast and light. I covered her snout with my mouth and blew. Kept squeezing, blowing. Until the puppy coughed. Then I thrust her to Willow’s
side, where she nursed as Willow gave birth to eight more pups. Every one of them alive.
The next morning, they were all bigger, except for the black-and-white girl, who had shrunk. I held her to Willow’s nipple, but she wouldn’t drink. I offered
formula in a syringe; it dribbled from her mouth. I warmed her under my shirt, but she stayed cool. In three days, she died again, and that time she didn’t
come back. I’ve thought of that puppy a lot, wondering if it was right to revive her. If there was cruelty in my refusal to let go. We both had our ways
of facing grief, Willow and I, and maybe Willow knew best. Keeping her boy inside her, where he belonged.
We wake up surrounded by wolves.
It’s 2 a.m., I think, although I’m not sure, because I’ve been fast asleep, burrowed deep in my sleeping bag to escape the cold. But suddenly, at once,
every dog rises, facing the darkness to the east. And by the time I hear a strange bark, and answering howls, every hair on my body has already prickled
up.
The dogs don’t growl, but they’re vigilant. Ears perked. Teeth glinting as the sides of their lips curl. I find my headlamp, cut a beam through the trees.
All I see are snow and grass and the steam of our breath swirling white.
The sounds come again. Two barks, two howls. So close that I count the dogs — seven heads — to see if we’ve added more.
Wolves kill and eat dogs, but I’ve never heard of them attacking a sled-dog team. That said, I’ve never encountered a pack this close. I reach for Spike,
by my side, and flatten his hackles with my palm. They stay up. His fur is crusted in ice.
Colbert lifts his face to the sky. At first, I think he’s smelling the air. But a coarse howl rises through him. Boudica joins with a wail, and a second
later, Dora does, too — wavering cries, short and shrill, her white cheeks rippling in the lamplight. The other dogs’ voices layer on, one by one. Their
song is short and stops abruptly. They lift their ears and listen hard.
Silence. Just the crackle of our movements in the cold.
The closest wolf barks back.
This time, though, the mood has changed. Their pack surrounds us; whether they’re drawn to our food or circling the intruders, I can only guess. But our
pack has responded, in one voice, answering their questions or their call. With a grunt, Pepé lies on the straw.
If Pepé’s not scared, then the rest of us aren’t, either. Willow’s ears drop. Boudica paws at the snow. Spike snuffles his whiskers on my face, and I rub
his cheek with my thumb. Colbert poops.
The wolves, so close, are our acquaintances now. The closest one barks and barks. We sleep to the serenade.
At sunrise, the wolves are gone. The dogs curl in tight balls, asleep in a row, and the frost on their fur glitters when they breathe. Mornings on the
trail are always an exercise in will — unzipping the sleeping bag, letting in air, stepping into frozen boots — and this moment is particularly difficult
to break. I could lie here happily for a week or more. But after a while, Colbert lifts his head and notices I’m awake. His tail thumps, rousing Willow,
and he makes a sound in his throat about wanting breakfast, so high-pitched that it’s hard to hear. He’s not whining. He’s just letting me know.
If we were racing, we’d be 80 miles away. Where are the wolves, the other pack, now? Slipped deeper into the trees, as we’re preparing to emerge?
I start the fire and heat food: beef for the dogs, oatmeal and cocoa for me. Clem backs up for a butt scratch; Spike puts his head on my lap. Dora gnaws
my leather knife sheath, and when I take it away, she flops dramatically on the ground. Colbert seems perkier than yesterday; maybe his muscles have loosened,
or he’s excited about flirting with Willow, who paws at his back with a spark in her eye. He pees on his bowl and sneezes, making his ears bounce.
When we get back to Jake’s, I’ll refer to these dogs as mine, and then correct myself — “Your dogs, I mean, or both of ours” — and Jake will correct me
back. “They’re their own dogs,” he’ll say. “We’re just the people who get to love them.”
Pepé’s restless. She circles the camp, plunging into snowbanks and popping out covered in snow. She keeps looking back at me.
“Pepé,” I say, and the name releases her. She launches down the trail.
She knows what I’m suggesting. She’s been waiting for it, too. She finds the wolf tracks, four or five sets, headed in different directions. One turns
right, and she veers, as sharply as if I’d called Gee, and bounds after it into the deep snow.
Off trail, the tracks change; they’re in clumps, five or six feet apart. The wolf was bounding, just like us. We follow it uphill, through clumps of red
pine, until the snow thins around rocks. Pepé stops, in packed snow, at the top of a shallow bluff.
She’s found the place where it stood. And right below, through the trees, is our camp.
How long was it here before we realized? An hour? All day? Watching us, reporting on us back to its pack?
I can smell the smoke from the fire. The wolf could smell that, and the rest, too: the straw, ground beef, dregs of cocoa, worn harnesses, beaver-fur mittens,
each dog’s particular scent. The trees are thick, but through the branches, I see a flash of yellow. Spike. Colbert wagging. Dora’s white mask when she
moves. I want to call their names, so they know I’m here. I want to guard them in secret forever. Pepé steps closer, brushing against my leg, and I rest
my hand on her neck. She stares at the others, ears tucked, and the intensity of her gaze tells me that I’m not the only one who doesn’t like to let go. —–
Blair Braverman has completed some of the most difficult dog sled races in the world, including the Iditarod and the Kobuk 440.
Blair Braverman is the author of the memoir “Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube,” the children’s book “The Day Leap Soared” and the novel “Small Game.”
March 18, 2026
***
ACB Hosts 2026 D.C. Leadership Conference to Advocate for Key Issues Affecting People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
(Dots and Dashes March 16, 2026)
Alexandria, Va., March 16, 2026 — The American Council of the Blind (ACB) hosted more than 225 attendees at its annual D.C. Leadership Conference, where participants took part in educational sessions, engaged with policy experts, and met with members of Congress and their staffs on Capitol Hill.
The conference focused on advancing key legislative priorities aimed at promoting accessibility and improving quality of life for people who are blind or have low vision. During meetings with lawmakers, ACB members called on Congress to:
- Support and pass the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act to ensure that home-use medical devices with digital interfaces are accessible;
- Support and pass the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act to establish clear enforcement standards requiring websites, applications, and online services to be accessible;
- Update accessibility requirements for media, video user interfaces, and video conferencing services through the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act.
“These priorities address real barriers that people who are blind or have low vision encounter every day,” said ACB Executive Director Scott Thornhill. “Our members came to D.C. to share their experiences and urge Congress to take meaningful action to expand accessibility and equality.”
The conference also featured keynote presentations and panel discussions with leaders from the disability community, private industry, and government. These sessions explored both the ongoing challenges and emerging opportunities to expand accessibility and equal access.
ACB’s 2026 D.C. Leadership Conference was made possible by the generous support of its sponsors and supporters, including:
- Waymo LLC – National Impact Sponsor
- Uber Technologies, Inc. – Presidential Sponsor
- Meta Platforms, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, UZURV, and Verizon – Congressional Sponsors
- Benetech, Democracy Live, Inc., and Vispero – Beltway Sponsors
ACB remains committed to working with lawmakers, industry leaders, and the broader disability community to advance policies that create a more accessible and inclusive future. For more information, visit https://www.acb.org.
*****
Statement on the Safety and Protection of Persons with Disabilities in Conflict-Affected Areas of the Middle East on behalf of Santosh Kumar Rungta, President, World Blind Union
(Dots and Dashes March 16, 2026)
On behalf of the global community of persons with disabilities, the World Blind Union expresses deep concern about the safety, protection, and well-being of persons with disabilities residing in conflict-affected areas across the Middle East. Armed conflicts and humanitarian crises disproportionately impact persons with disabilities, including those who are blind or partially sighted. In situations of conflict, access to basic necessities such as food, water, healthcare, assistive devices, accessible information, and safe evacuation becomes extremely limited. Many persons with disabilities face significant barriers to fleeing danger, accessing shelters, or receiving humanitarian assistance. These challenges place them at heightened risk of injury, abandonment, neglect, and even loss of life.
We are particularly concerned about persons with disabilities who may be trapped in conflict zones without adequate support systems, accessible early warning information, or inclusive emergency response mechanisms. The destruction of infrastructure, interruption of social services, and displacement of families further compound the vulnerabilities they face.
The World Blind Union therefore urgently appeals to all governments in the region, parties to the conflict, international organizations, the United Nations system, humanitarian and relief agencies, and civil society partners to take immediate and concrete steps to ensure the safety and protection of persons with disabilities. We call upon all stakeholders to:
- Ensure that evacuation, shelter, and relief operations are fully inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities.
- Provide accessible information regarding safety measures, evacuation routes, and humanitarian assistance.
- Guarantee the safe passage and protection of persons with disabilities during evacuations and displacement.
- Prioritize the provision of essential medical care, assistive devices, rehabilitation services, and psychosocial support.
- Work closely with organizations of persons with disabilities to ensure that humanitarian responses are inclusive and responsive to their needs.
- Uphold the obligations under international humanitarian law and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to protect civilians, including persons with disabilities, during times of conflict.
Persons with disabilities must not be left behind in times of crisis. Their safety, dignity, and human rights must remain a priority in all humanitarian and peace efforts.
The World Blind Union stands in solidarity with persons with disabilities and their families affected by conflict and urges the international community to act swiftly and decisively to safeguard their lives and rights.
Santosh Kumar Rungta, President, World Blind Union
***
Myths and Perhaps a Crisis:
By Paul Edwards
(BRL MEMORANDUM, Vol. XLIV Spring 2026 No. 1- Published by The Braille Revival League)
At the center of the creation of the Braille Revival League was the emergence of synthetic speech. Before it arrived people who were blind had a choice to make. They could learn braille or face severe handicaps in employment and independence. There was a general acceptance that braille was the primary form of communication used by people who were blind. There was an expectation that if you were blind you would know braille! More important perhaps was the fact that it wasn’t only people who were blind who believed this. Society as a whole had all heard of Louis Braille and knew just how important braille was to people who were blind. Those of us who read braille were regarded as “wonderful” because we could turn those virtually invisible dots into meaningful symbols but that was okay!
When synthetic speech came along it revolutionized communication for people who were blind. It created access to computers; it allowed effective users to acquire information much more quickly than could braille readers; and it offered a viable alternative for teachers of children and adults who were blind. What did people lose if they didn’t learn braille which was suddenly identified as “difficult to learn was and “difficult to teach”? School’s for the blind throughout the country remained a bastion for braille for a time. Then that began to change. More and more of the students attending special schools had other disabilities. More schools served deaf and blind, students. The decline in the number of training programs for teachers of the visually impaired meant there were fewer qualified candidates for blind schools. Often TVIS could make more at agencies than they could in public schools.
With the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act two important events began happening. First there was an increasing emphasis on “mainstreaming”. Parents may have wanted their kids close to home but had no idea what they were giving up by demanding this. Isolation and segregation was often the result of mainstreaming though nobody talked about it! At schools for the blind kids could compete with other blind kids and many of the social and blindness skills they needed including braille were available to them. Certainly there were issues and these were widely discussed. Consumer organizations and others championed the passage of “braille” bills in many states and recommended the passage Federal amendments that would elevate braille to the place it deserved. Many of these bills passed but none of them did what they were supposed to do! Some of the reasons were bureaucratic. There were disconnects between the state and school districts! Some were intentional! Consumers never really convinced states or administrators of school districts as a whole that braille was essential. The production of braille materials is expensive and, for a long time, electronic braille devices were prohibitively expensive. States and districts had access to Federal Quota funds which helped but many children were deemed not braille-appropriate. In the beginning this was because they were alleged to have too much vision. Later, as more children with multiple disabilities found their way to school, it was because they couldn’t learn braille!
The situation for adults was similar. The emphasis for vocational rehabilitation is to get folks to work as quickly as possible! It takes time to learn braille! Besides there was speech that could be taught more easily if not very well. Local agencies gradually lessened emphasis on braille because there was more demand for access technology training and the number of people seeking services was increasing! Funding was hard to get and more and more agencies created “classes” that would be there for a specific time. Braille does not do well if it must be taught quickly.
What was true for those seeking jobs was doubly true for seniors. Very limited Federal funding and rapidly increasing demand for services meant that braille got shorter and shorter shrift at most local programs.
And then there were the myths! An article in the Journal of Visual Impairment a couple of years ago traced one of these! Somewhere it had become common knowledge that only ten percent of people who are blind in this country read braille. The article makes it clear that this figure is not accurate and is really not based on any sound data. Once the myth was propagated though, it became easy to say that anything done about or with braille would only affect a tiny cross section of visually impaired people. There were other myths, too. Braille is too hard to teach! UEB makes braille incredibly more difficult to teach! It is really not needed anyway! People can find ways to be successful without it!
All of these factors have brought us to today! I have recently seen evidence that at least two schools for the blind have given up on braille. If this is true we are truly at a perilous place! If schools designed to equip blind people with the skills that will optimize their likelihood for success have been allowed to determine that braille is only marginally relevant, there is a real danger that those who predict the demise of braille as a viable medium of communication within a half century are correct!
In Nevada last year a “braille” bill didn’t make it out of committee at the state level. The Federal law, the Cogswell Macey Act which may have been renamed languishes and its protections for braille seem a distant dream! Georgia is working on a “braille” bill but its fate is still uncertain! Florida has a “braille” bill in place but it has largely been rendered moot by regulations and indifference. I suspect that the same is true of braille bills throughout the country.
To see just how far myths have become accepted reality, we need look no farther than the decisions made by two major companies. Both Proctor and Gamble and Sony have determined that they can be more helpful to people who are blind by developing a series of non-braille symbols for marking their products. They don’t even include braille as an option! This truly is not the fault of companies who, after all, are trying to do something good! It may even be the fault of people who are blind and blindness organizations who may well have bought into some of these myths!
The task of undoing myths is unquestionably difficult. People truly believe braille has outlived its primacy. It is relevant to older people and to the few who are truly learning braille but, more and more, it is seen as peripheral and problematic! If there was strong evidence to support this notion that would be one thing! In fact studies have demonstrated that people with good braille skills are much more successful at their jobs! There is not a single braille reader who would suggest that he or she would give it up! Children who participate in the Braille Challenge are immensely proud of their accomplishments! I truly believe that most of society still values braille! Louis Braille is still a hero far beyond the blindness community! Have we allowed a relatively small group of naysayers to vilify what we know is a great and absolutely essential form of communication? If we have, shame on us! Now we need to recognize that it’s now or never! Either people who are blind stand up for what makes us literate or it will go the way of the dodo and the passenger pigeon!
(Editor’s note, this article made me grin (reveling in a lifetime of cherishing dots); caused tears to flow (deep sorrow at the very real potential demise of my beloved, and essential, native written language); and caused me fierce (feeling a deep need to share the crucial, vital, fundamental place braille holds in my life and my world)!
*****
From the Kennel Kitchen- Yummy!
- Grilled Brie, Apple and Arugula Sandwich (The Seeing Eye)
(Pine Tree Guide Dog Users Monthly News Update: April 2026- www.PineTreeGuideDogUsers.org/monthly-news-updates)
This quick, easy sandwich combines the peppery kick of arugula with the sweetness of fig preserves, crisp apples, and the creamy, mellow flavor of Brie.
Ingredients
4 slices (1/2-inch-thick) sourdough bread
2 tablespoons butter, softened
4 oz. Brie, sliced thin
3 tablespoons fig preserves
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced thin
1/2 cup loosely packed baby arugula
Directions
Generously spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. To assemble each sandwich, flip one slice of bread over (butter side down) and spread with 1/2 of the fig preserves. Then layer with 1/2 of the apple slices, 1/2 of the Brie, and 1/2 of the arugula. Top with another bread slice (butter side up).
Heat a large heavy skillet or griddle on medium-low and cook sandwiches for about 4 minutes on each side until cheese is melted. Cut the sandwich in half on the diagonal to serve.
- Beef Tips and Rice- By Cherie Hicks
(BRL MEMORANDUM, Vol. XLIV Spring 2026 No. 1- Published by The Braille Revival League)
You will need:
1 9 X 13 Baking dish (sprayed with pam or olive oil)
3 cups long grain rice
2 cans beef consommé
2 cans French onion soup
1 can cream of onion soup
1 jar sliced mushrooms (optional)
1 box hormel beef tips with gravy
1 stick butter
Mix top 6 ingredients together well in baking dish then top with slices of butter on top.
Cover with Aluminum foil and cook at 425 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove foil and cook an additional 35 to 40 minutes. Don’t overcook. Needs to be moist;
in the middle.
- Ginger Roasted Cauliflower Soup (Guide Dogs for the Blind)
(Pine Tree Guide Dog Users Monthly News Update: March 2026- www.PineTreeGuideDogUsers.org/monthly-news-updates)
Creamy and cozy, this comforting soup blends sweet roasted cauliflower with zesty lime and a gentle ginger kick.
Ingredients
2 large heads cauliflower
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon ground ginger
A pinch of salt & pepper
½ cup coconut Oil
1 large onion, diced
6 cloves of garlic, chopped
3 pieces of ginger root, peeled, grated, and divided (about 4-5 tablespoons)
2 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
8 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1 can coconut milk
2 tablespoons miso paste
4 tablespoons sherry vinegar
3 limes, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons agave syrup
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Season cauliflower with coconut oil, garlic & onion powder, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Roast in oven at 400 degrees for 10 – 12 minutes until browned.
- In a medium stock pot sauté onion, garlic and half grated ginger in coconut oil until translucent. Add roasted cauliflower, cut potatoes and stock. Bring to a boil then heat to simmer for about 25 minutes.
- Add coconut milk, miso paste, vinegar, lime zest and juice, agave syrup, remaining grated ginger, salt, and pepper. Using an emersion blender to puree soup until smooth. Add chopped cilantro and serve. Yum!
***
Podcasts/Blogs/ Webinars- Check These Out!
- Making Transportation More Accessible for All – American Council of the Blind, January 29, 2026- https://acb-advocacy-update.pinecast.co/episode/dd596384/making-transportation-more-accessible-for-all
In a recent episode of the Making Transportation More Accessible for All podcast by the American Council of the Blind, guests Suzette May – a Seeing Eye graduate and pedestrian safety specialist — and Linda Myers, an orientation & mobility specialist and research associate with Accessible Design for the Blind — discuss the challenges facing blind pedestrians and share insights from their experiences attending the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and Transportation Research Board conferences.
Riding the Future: Inside Tesla, Waymo, and Zoox Autonomous Rides with Kevin Chao
In this episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff welcomes Kevin Chao, an early adopter who has taken more than 60 rides in autonomous vehicles across San Francisco and Austin. Kevin shares his firsthand experiences riding in Tesla RoboTaxis, Waymo vehicles, and more.
- Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids- https://omny.fm/shows/brains-on-science-podcast-for-kids/do-dogs-know-that-theyre-dogs
Do dogs know they’re dogs? Find out on the Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids, where canine cognition expert Alexandra Horowitz helps unravel this puzzling question! You’ll also explore fun topics like whether dogs dream, if they have their own “languages,” and much more—perfect for curious minds who love learning about their furry friends.
Adjusting and Coping with Vision Loss Together Podcast
https://hadleyhelps.org/podcasts/hadley-presents/adjusting-and-coping-vision-loss-together
In this episode, we give you a behind-the-scenes look at how and why we launched our new Adjusting and Coping Together video series. Blending real stories from members of the Hadley community with coping strategies many have found helpful, these videos address the emotional toll vision loss can have and offer ways to work through these common challenges.
- Hadley discussion Groups- Listen in or join the conversation. Our monthly live call-in sessions cover a wide range of topics. If you miss one, we’ll send you a recording. Whether it’s cooking, resources, or technology, we’ve got a group for you. Some April topics include vacation planning and keeping track of your things with vision loss. Call 800.323.4238 and we’ll sign you up.
D.C. Leadership Conference Podcasts Now Posted
(Dots and Dashes, March 30, 2026)
The recordings from the 2026 D.C. Leadership Conference have been posted to the ACB Business Podcast feed.
Below are links to each of the podcasts. These links will take you to a page where you can read the show notes for that session and also play the podcast through an embedded player on the web page.
English Podcasts
ACB Board Meeting: Morning Session
ACB Board Meeting: Afternoon Session
DC Leadership Welcome Reception
Spanish Podcasts
Podcasts en español de la ACB RSS Feed
Presidents’ Meeting – Morning ES
Presidents’ Meeting – Afternoon ES
Legislative Seminar – Morning ES
Legislative Seminar – Afternoon ES
***
Way Cool Labeling App (for Apple and Android)
(Dots and Dashes, March 30, 2026)
Hable has just launched SpeechLabel in the U.S., a system that lets users “voice-tag” their world. It’s a simple way to label anything from spice jars and medicine to clothing using just a smartphone.
How does it work? You can scan a QR or NFC label with our app and record a voice memo or text. The next time you scan it, the app instantly plays the recording back. Unlike older tools, all labels are backed up to the cloud, so you never lose them. Plus, you can share labels with others; this allows family or friends to help you by scanning and labeling items for you from their own phones.
To see the system in action and find more information, you can visit the SpeechLabel website.
****
News from Hadley
(Hadley Headlines April 2026)
- Hadley’s Peer to Peer Program
Connect with someone else who can relate to the everyday challenges of vision loss. Gain new perspectives, problem-solve together, support, and learn from each other. Call our Support Center at 800.323.4238 to learn more.
https://hadleyhelps.org/peer-peer
- Share your insight with others. What has helped you cope and adjust to living with vision loss? There are several ways to share. Hit the “Submit your insights” button on Hadley’s Insights & Sound Bites web page- https://hadleyhelps.org/podcasts/insights-and-sound-bites?utm_source=sfmc&utm_term=&utm_content=134219&utm_id=8105b083-44ce-43ed-8f2a-af76f4b71c1d&sfmc_activityid=82234a02-702e-4700-a9cd-501a83fd1aa4&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2026.04%20Hadley%20Headlines
Email a recording to podcast@hadleyhelps.org
or leave a voicemail at 847.512.4867.
***
Possible Research Opportunities-
(Dots and Dashes March 16, 2026)
Editor’s disclaimer- There is no guarantee that these researchers are still seeking participants
Web Developers Need Your Opinion on Overlays
Web developers often debate whether accessibility overlays are helpful or harmful to the user experience, and they want your opinion to put an end to the debate. If you experience any visual impairments, please submit this anonymous survey. It’s only 2 multiple choice questions, and your input will have a profound impact on the trajectory of web accessibility. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact info@azurodigital.com.
Improving Accessibility in Digital Banking
Master’s students in the Information Management and Systems program at Berkeley are conducting a capstone project on improving accessibility in digital banking for blind and low-vision individuals.
If you are interested and eligible, a limited number of participants will be invited to a 45- to 60-minute interview (online or in person). Participants will receive a $20 e-gift card as a thank-you. This short form takes about 3 minutes to complete and will help us determine eligibility.
Note: The students will only use your email to connect your answers with your background information and to reach out if you’d like to join a follow-up interview. After that, they’ll remove your contact info so your answers are anonymous.
Fill out the screening survey at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYNA8P2ZmMiHbjO_Nu3nnbE5rne071QnWtdlH_71g6-CuACw/viewform.
Development and Evaluation of an Accessible Menopausal Health Education Program for Blind and Low-Vision Women
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is conducting a study to develop and evaluate an accessible menopausal health education program designed for blind and low-vision (BLV) women. The program has been developed to support menopause-related symptom recognition and self-management for BLV women. Through this study, we aim to test whether the program can support the improvement of menopause-related knowledge and self-management and whether participants feel that the content is accessible and applicable to their daily lives, in addition to what works well and needs improvement.
Role of the Participants and Anticipated Length of the Study
Participants will attend a single 60-minute virtual education session delivered via Zoom. During the session, they will learn about menopause, symptom recognition, overlapping symptoms related to blindness, and practical self-management strategies. Participants will complete a menopause knowledge questionnaire before and after the session, and a post-session survey about their experience with the program. The total time will take approximately 90 minutes.
Proposed Participant Compensation
Participants who attend the program and complete the pre- and post-test and surveys will receive a $20 Amazon gift card via email.
Link or Instructions for Participants to Enter the Study
Interested individuals may contact the research team by email at hsko2@illinois.edu or a11yhealthlab@illinois.edu to receive additional details. After confirming eligibility, participants will receive instructions for joining the session.
If you have questions, contact researcher Hyun Seo Ko at (217) 305-0140, or via email, hsko2@illinois.edu
***
8 Tips To Remove Pet Hair From Every Part Of Your Home
December 7, 2025
Jen Fitschen, Editor
(https://doggodigest.com/8-tips-to-remove-pet-hair-from-every-part-of-your-home-2-291056/)
Welcoming a furry friend into your home can be a source of endless joy and companionship. However, it also introduces a constant challenge: pet hair. It clings to your clothes, covers your furniture, and somehow always seems to appear in places you least expect — making you wonder if your pet is secretly trying to take over the house. But fear not, fellow pet lovers! With a few practical strategies and some consistency, you can tackle this hairy issue efficiently without sacrificing cuddle time. Read on to discover eight tips that will help you keep your home clean and hair-free while still enjoying every moment with your beloved pet.
- Invest in a High-Quality Vacuum Cleaner
A powerful vacuum cleaner is your best friend when it comes to removing pet hair. Look for a vacuum with strong suction and a HEPA filter to capture even the finest hairs. Consider one with a motorized brush attachment designed specifically for pet hair, as it can deeply clean carpets and upholstery. Regularly vacuuming your home, especially high-traffic areas and your pet’s favorite spots, will significantly reduce the amount of hair floating around. Think of it as a daily grooming session for your house!
- Use Lint Rollers for Quick Pick-Ups
Lint rollers are a quick and convenient tool for removing pet hair from clothing and furniture. Keep one in each room for easy access. For larger areas, use a lint roller with an extendable handle. The sticky sheets are perfect for grabbing those stubborn hairs that cling to fabric surfaces. Simply roll it over the affected area, and watch the hair disappear. It’s like magic, but real!
- Rubber Gloves: A Surprising Ally
Rubber gloves, typically used for dishwashing, can be surprisingly effective at removing pet hair. Dampen the gloves slightly and run your hands over fabric surfaces. The rubber creates friction, which attracts and clings to the hair. It’s a bit like giving your couch a gentle massage while also cleaning it. Plus, it’s an inexpensive and eco-friendly option that you likely already have at home.
- Utilize Fabric Softener Sheets
Fabric softener sheets are not just for laundry! They can be a handy tool in your battle against pet hair. Wipe them across surfaces like baseboards, furniture, and even car interiors to remove hair. The sheets reduce static cling, making it easier to pick up hair. Plus, they leave a pleasant scent behind. It’s like giving your home a breath of fresh air while tackling the hair problem.
- Groom Your Pet Regularly
Regular grooming is essential to keep your pet’s shedding under control. Brush your pet’s coat frequently to remove loose hairs before they end up all over your home. Choose a brush that suits your pet’s fur type. Not only does this routine help with shedding, but it also strengthens the bond between you and your pet. Imagine it as a spa day for your furry friend!
- Wash Pet Bedding Often
Pet bedding is a magnet for hair, so it’s crucial to wash it regularly. Use hot water and a pet-safe detergent to ensure its thoroughly cleaned. Consider using a dryer sheet during the drying cycle to reduce static and help loosen the hair. A clean bed means a cleaner home, and your pet will appreciate a fresh, cozy place to rest.
- Embrace the Power of Baking Soda
Baking soda is a fantastic natural deodorizer and can also help with pet hair removal. Sprinkle it over carpets and upholstery, let it sit for a few minutes, and then vacuum it up. The baking soda will loosen the hair, making it easier to remove. It’s like a mini spa treatment for your floors and furniture, leaving them fresh and hair-free.
- Consider Professional Cleaning Services
If pet hair continues to be a persistent problem, consider hiring a professional cleaning service. They have specialized tools and expertise to tackle even the trickiest hair situations. A deep clean every few months can make a significant difference in maintaining a hair-free home. It’s like hitting the reset button on your cleaning efforts.
In conclusion, dealing with pet hair doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. With these practical tips, you can enjoy the company of your furry friend without the constant struggle against hair. Remember, a little effort goes a long way, and soon enough, your home will feel less like a fur salon and more like the cozy haven you and your pet deserve.
***
Information from Dots and Dashes, March 30, 2026
- ACB recently received a semiannual update from the Bureau of Printing and Engraving (BEP) regarding their progress implementing the Court’s order from ACB’s currency accessibility lawsuit of 2008. The BEP is on track to print the new $10 bill with the accessible Raised Tactile Feature in 2026. Additionally, they have distributed more than 100,000 currency readers and have two mobile apps (Eye Note (R) for Apple users and IDEAL Currency Identifier for Android users) that also function as currency readers. ACB looks forward to the production of the accessible $10 bill.
Nominate a Film and Series for the 2026 Audio Description People’s Choice Awards
The Audio Description Project’s (ADP) People’s Choice Awards is accepting nominations from Saturday, April 4, 2026, through Sunday, April 19. The winners will be announced during the 2026 ACB Audio Description Awards Gala, airing virtually on Thursday, November 12, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. Click here to submit your nominations.
There are two phases in the selection process for the Audio Description People’s Choice Awards. First, the ADP will accept nominations in two categories, film and series, from April 4-19. Second, the top titles in each category will compete for the grand prize during a two-week voting period in July.
Be sure to review the nomination criteria before submitting your nominations. Remember that the focus is on the quality of the audio description, not the show itself, and you may nominate a film or series only once. The Audio Description People’s Choice Awards nomination form can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AD-Awards-Nominations-2026
To make your nominations by phone, call (202) 467-5081.
The Audio Description Awards Gala celebrates inclusivity and recognizes the entertainment industry’s role in providing access to film and television through audio description for people who are blind or have low vision. The Audio Description People’s Choice Award is a unique opportunity for fans to get involved by showing their support for the audio description they love the most.
Learn more at www.ADAwardsGala.org. Submit your nominations by April 19: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AD-Awards-Nominations-2026
***
Some Great Ideas From Seasoned Guide Dog Handlers!
(Pine Tree Guide Dog Users Monthly News Update: April 2026- www.PineTreeGuideDogUsers.org/monthly-news-updates)
- Laundry help. If you use dryer sheets, try pinning one to a small washcloth with a sturdy safety pin so it doesn’t get lost. Loose sheets can be harmful if your dog eats them, and this simple trick makes them easy to keep track of.
- Hotel hack. Use a lock dot on your hotel room door so you can quickly confirm and praise your guide dog when it finds the correct room. You can also bring a few extras to mark things like the microwave or distinguish between shampoo and conditioner.
- Paratransit tip. Cut a yoga mat to fit your guide dog’s size and use it as a non-slip surface. It helps keep your dog from sliding during sharp turns or sudden stops, giving them better traction and stability.
- Quick-Dry Disposable Bath Towels
(While this concept may be favored, it is not intended as an endorsement of the actual product.)
Rainy walk? Muddy paws? No problem! These soft, absorbent disposable towels are perfect for drying off your guide dog after a rainy walk or messy outing. They fold up small enough for a purse or pocket-super handy for life on the go. Comes in a 50-count pack, with each towel measuring 15 inches by 31.5 inches. $25.00.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDYMDLB9?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1
***
How to Add a Website Shortcut to Your Windows Desktop (Keyboard Steps)
by Michael Babcock
(The ACB Braille Forum Volume LXIV • March 2026 • No. 7)
This guide walks you through creating a desktop shortcut that opens a specific website link. These steps work well with screen readers and keyboard-only navigation.
Step 1: Copy the Website Link
- Open the link in your web browser.
- Press Control + L to jump to the address bar (or use whatever keystroke you normally use for the address bar).
- Press Control + A to select the entire web address.
- Press Control + C to copy it.
Step 2: Go to Your Desktop and Prepare to Create a Shortcut
- Press Windows Key + D to go to the desktop.
- Press Control + Spacebar.
- (This helps confirm that nothing is selected. You should hear something like “nothing selected.”)
Step 3: Open the Desktop Context Menu
- Press Shift + F10
(or press the Applications key if your keyboard has one).
Step 4: Choose New, then Shortcut
- Find New and open it:
- Use the Right Arrow (or press Enter) on New to open the submenu.
- In the submenu, select Shortcut and press Enter.
Step 5: Paste the Link into the Shortcut Wizard
You should now be in a dialogue that says something like: Create Shortcut.
“What item would you like to create a shortcut for?”
“This wizard helps you to create shortcuts to local or network programs, files, folders, computers, or Internet addresses.”
- Your cursor should be in the edit box labeled: “Type the location of the item:”
- If it is not in focus, press Tab until you reach it.
- Press Control + V to paste the link into the field.
- Activate Next:
- Press Alt + N, or Tab to Next and press Enter.
Step 6: Name the Shortcut
You will now be on a screen that says something like: Create Shortcut.
“What would you like to name the shortcut?”
“Type a name for this shortcut:”
(New Internet Shortcut)
- In the “Type a name for this shortcut” edit box, you’ll see “New Internet Shortcut.”
- Type the name you want. This will replace/erase “New Internet Shortcut.”
- Finish the shortcut: Press Alt + F, or Tab to Finish and press Enter.
Result
You now have a shortcut on your desktop. Pressing Enter on it will open the website in your default browser.
***
Upcoming NLS Programs
- Get to Know the Many Faces of BARD
NLS staff members offer tips, answer questions, and demonstrate new features of BARD, the BARD Mobile app, and BARD Express each month during The Many Faces of BARD. This online event is open to all patrons and is held at 7 p.m. eastern time on the second Thursday of every month.
Get program details, login information, and recordings of previous programs at the Many Faces of BARD web page- https://www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/many-faces-of-bard/
- That All May eRead Program
NLS presents a monthly program called That All May eRead on Zoom. This program, scheduled monthly for the last Tuesday night of each month, focuses on using the NLS Braille eReaders. Each session begins with a brief demonstration of a feature or use case. The rest of the hour is spent answering patron questions about any aspect of the Zoomax or HumanWare Braille eReaders. Get program details and access recordings of previous programs at the That All May eRead web page- https://www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/that-all-may-eread/
- Smart Speaking to the Smart Speaker
NLS presents a monthly program called Smart Speaking to the Smart Speaker. This program, held on the third Thursday of each month, focuses on assisting patrons using the My Talking Books skill on their smart speaker. Get program details and access recordings of previous programs at the Smart Speaking to the Smart Speaker web page- https://www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/smart-speaking-to-the-smart-speaker/
***
See the World with See Sea Trips
(The ACB Braille Forum Volume LXIV • March 2026 • No. 7)
See Sea Trips has a number of accessible adventures coming up this year and into 2027. If a cruise is one of your bucket list items, take a look at these.
- Alaska – May 29 – June 10, 2026
You will spend 1 night in Anchorage, 2 nights Mt. McKinley, 2 nights Denali, then cruise to Skagway, Ketchikan, Juneau and Vancouver.
- Shrines of Italy – October 6 – 16, 2026
Highlights of this trip will be Rome, Catacombs, Holy Stairs, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Papal Audience, Assisi, Basilica of St. Francis and much more.
- Eastern Caribbean Cruise – November 29 – December 7, 2026
Cruise from Port Canaveral to San Juan, Puerto Rico; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Turks and Caicos; Princess Cays, Bahamas.
- New Zealand and Australia – March 4 – 20, 2027
Cruise from Auckland, New Zealand and visit ports of Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Fiordland National Park, Hobart, and Port Arthur before arriving at Sydney, Australia.
For more information, call Dave Kronk at (618) 409-0143, or visit the website- https://seeseatrips.com/
***
Some Book Suggestions From NLS-
- Spring in all its garden glory
*Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden. Written by Camille T. Dungy. DB118717
Poet and scholar Camille T. Dungy recounts the seven-year odyssey to diversify her garden in the predominately white community of Fort Collins, Colorado. When she moved there in 2013, with her husband and daughter, the community held strict restrictions about what residents could and could not plant in their gardens. In resistance to the homogenous policies that limited the possibility and wonder that grows from the earth, Dungy employs the various plants, herbs, vegetables, and flowers she grows in her garden as metaphor and treatise for how homogeneity threatens the future of our planet, and why cultivating diverse and intersectional language in our national discourse about the environment is the best means of protecting it.
*Martha Stewart’s Gardening Handbook: The Essential Guide to Designing, Planting, and Growing. Written by Martha Stewart. DB128825
The first fully comprehensive gardening guide from the legendary Martha Stewart in more than 30 years, with everything you need to know to curate a beautiful, thriving garden.
- Recognizing Autism Awareness Month
*Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity. Written by Devon Price. DB107676
Social psychologist Devon Price looks at the spectrum of Autistic experience and the phenomenon of masking, a coping mechanism where Autistic people hide their identifiably Autistic traits in order to fit in with societal norms. Dr. Price shares his personal experience with masking and blends history, social science research, prescriptions, and personal profiles to tell a story of neurodivergence that has thus far been dominated by those on the outside looking in. He attempts to give individuals the tools to safely uncover their true selves while broadening society’s narrow understanding of neurodiversity.
- Pondering National Poetry Month
*When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through: A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry. Edited by Joy Harjo, LeAnne Howe, and Jennifer Elise Foerster. DB100387
United States Poet Laureate Joy Harjo gathers the work of more than 160 poets, representing nearly 100 indigenous nations, into the first historically comprehensive Native poetry anthology. This landmark anthology celebrates the indigenous peoples of North America, the first poets of this country, whose literary traditions stretch back centuries.
Love to our home planet for Earth Day
*Signs of Life: Field Notes from the Frontlines of Extinction. Written by Sarah Cox. DB121612
What’s to be done when only three spotted owls are left in Canada’s wild? When wolves eat endangered caribou, cormorants kill rare trees, and housing developments threaten a tiny frog? Environmental journalist Sarah Cox has witnessed what happens when we drive species to the brink of extinction. Through the eyes and work of the Canadian military, Indigenous guardians, biologists, conservationists, and ordinary people who are racing to save hundreds of species before it’s too late, Cox delivers both an urgent message and a fresh perspective on how we can protect biodiversity and begin to turn things around.
*Sounds Wild and Broken: Sonic Marvels, Evolution’s Creativity, and the Crisis of Sensory Extinction. Written by David George Haskell. DB107646
A rich exploration of how the evolution of both natural and manmade sounds have shaped us and the world, and how the world’s acoustic diversity is currently in grave danger of being destroyed. Starting in deep time with the origins of animal song and traversing the whole arc of Earth’s history, ecologist David George Haskell illuminates and celebrates the creative processes that have produced the acoustic wonders of our planet.
- For National Library Week, Books with Libraries
*The Personal Librarian. Written by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. DB103929
In 1905, Belle de Costa Greene is hired away from Princeton University to curate and run the personal library of banker J.P. Morgan. She shrewdly expands his collection of manuscripts, books, and artwork and becomes a powerful part of New York society, all the while hiding her Black family history.
*The Last Chance Library. Written by Freya Sampson. DB104941
Lonely librarian June Jones has never left the English village where she grew up. But when her library is threatened with closure, June is forced to emerge from behind the shelves to save the heart of her community and the place that holds the dearest memories of her mother. Through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships along the way.
- Sharing NLS Summer Reading 2026
The 2026 NLS summer reading theme is Unearth a Story emphasizing discovery, nature and more.
Learn more about NLS Summer Reading 2026- https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/summer-reading/
****
That’s No Ordinary Pup… and Your PET Dog Knows It!
by Ginger Kutsch
(Pine Tree Guide Dog Users Monthly News Update: March 2026- www.PineTreeGuideDogUsers.org/monthly-news-updates)
Pet dogs read the world primarily through body language and guide dogs don’t always look or move like typical dogs. Those differences can feel confusing or even threatening to a pet, especially in close quarters.
Why guide dogs can trigger uncertainty in pet dogs
- Unusual posture and focus
Guide dogs move with intense forward focus and minimal social signaling. They often avoid eye contact, ignore sniffing rituals, and walk in straight, purposeful lines. To a pet dog, this can appear stiff, aloof, or even confrontational.
- Specialized gear
Harnesses with rigid handles change a dog’s outline and movement. The shape of the harness — and the way it influences body motion — can make the guide dog seem larger, unfamiliar, or subtly “off,” which may trigger uncertainty.
- Lack of typical greeting behavior
Most pet dogs expect curved approaches, mutual sniffing, loose wagging, and other calming signals. A working guide dog generally won’t engage in those behaviors. When those normal social cues are missing, another dog may feel uneasy or defensive.
How pet dogs typically react
When pet dogs feel unsure or concerned, they tend to react quickly and instinctively. Common responses include barking, lunging, growling, backing away, freezing, or attempting to flee. Some dogs become loud and reactive to create distance; others shut down or become hyper-alert and tense. These behaviors are automatic safety responses — not deliberate misbehavior.
Seven simple steps to keep everyone safe
- Create immediate space
As soon as you see a guide dog team approaching, calmly increase distance. Cross the street, step off the path, or move behind a barrier like a parked car if needed. Distance lowers arousal quickly and is the most effective tool you have.
- Shorten the leash and stay relaxed.
Keep your dog close at your side on a short leash. Long or retractable leashes make sudden lunges or momentum harder to control, so shortening the leash early helps you control your dog more easily without adding tension.
- Don’t allow greetings — even friendly ones
A guide dog in harness is working. Avoid letting your dog approach “just to say hello.” Even a playful leap can break the guide dog’s concentration and create risk for the handler.
- Redirect your dog’s focus
Use simple, well-practiced cues like “watch me,” “let’s go,” or a hand target. Reward calm attention and movement away from the team.
- Give the handler a quick heads-up
Offer a brief, clear statement so the handler knows where you are. For example:
“Hi there — I have a dog with me and we’re going to step aside to give you space.”
This reassures the handler that you’re aware and actively creating room for a safe, smooth pass.
- If your dog reacts, move first — talk later
If your dog barks or lunges, create distance immediately. Don’t try to explain or apologize while standing close. Once everyone is safely apart, a brief apology may be appropriate — but space comes first.
- If something goes wrong, take responsibility
If your dog makes contact with or injures a guide dog team, do not walk away. Secure your dog immediately, create space, and check in with the handler. Offer assistance, provide your contact information, and take full responsibility. Even incidents that seem minor can seriously affect a working dog’s focus, training, or the handler’s safety.
Why it matters
Guide dogs help provide independence, mobility, and safety for their handlers. A few seconds of awareness and thoughtful handling from pet owners can make public spaces safer and more comfortable for everyone – including your own dog.
***
Exploring the New Preview App in iOS 26:
A VoiceOver User’s Perspective
by Anthony Corona
( The ACB Braille Forum, Volume LXIV • February 2026 • No. 6)
With iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, Apple introduced something we do not see very often: brand-new system apps. One of those apps is Preview, and as a blind VoiceOver user I was immediately curious about what this could mean for accessible document reading, reviewing, and everyday workflow on the iPhone and iPad.
Preview has long been a staple on the Mac, offering a simple but powerful way to open PDFs and images, review documents, add annotations and make quick edits. With iOS 26 Preview, which lives directly on the home screen of both iPhone and iPad, it has quickly become one of the most useful new tools I have explored as a blind and low-vision user.
Before iOS 26, PDFs and images typically opened inside the Files app. While this worked, it often mixed file management with document interaction. Preview changes that dynamic by offering a focused space designed specifically for reading, reviewing, and editing documents. Preview now acts as a dedicated hub for PDFs and images. Instead of navigating folders while trying to read content, Preview keeps the document front and center. For VoiceOver users, this matters. Fewer layers and more predictable navigation result in a smoother and less fatiguing experience.
When opening a PDF, VoiceOver immediately recognizes text structure headings and page flow. Swiping through pages feels consistent and responsive. Toolbars are clearly labeled and key actions such as search markup and sharing are easy to locate.
On iPad, Preview feels especially strong. With a larger screen and support for external keyboards, navigating long documents feels closer to a desktop experience without sacrificing accessibility. Low-vision users benefit as well. Preview respects system-wide display settings, supports Zoom gestures, and presents images cleanly for inspection or editing.
I now use Preview regularly for reviewing PDFs from email, reading conference materials, checking image-based flyers, and preparing documents for sharing. Instead of guessing which app will open a file, I know Preview is built for this job.
If you are blind or low vision and running iOS 26 or iPadOS 26, Preview is well worth exploring. Open a few PDFs, explore the toolbar with VoiceOver, try the search feature and see how it fits into your workflow.
Preview may not grab headlines, but it represents something more important: a thoughtful refinement of how we access information and get work done. Sometimes the most meaningful changes are the ones that simply make things easier.
Search Features in Preview
Using Search Effectively with VoiceOver:
Search is one of the most powerful features in Preview, especially for blind and low vision users working with long or complex documents.
When a PDF contains searchable text, VoiceOver announces results clearly and allows quick movement between matches. This makes it far more efficient than swiping through page after page.
Search can also locate labeled form elements when they are properly tagged. This can include headings, signature fields, buttons, and some dropdown menus.
Examples of effective search use include searching for headings such as Terms, Scope, or Signatures to jump quickly in contracts or reports; locating signature fields labeled Sign Here to move focus to the signing area; finding form labels like Name, Address, or Date to jump to the first field. In interactive PDFs with labeled buttons such as Submit or Continue, Search can help locate those controls quickly.
Search also pairs well with Live Text. When Preview detects text in scanned or image-based PDFs, Search may surface those results, allowing VoiceOver users to locate phone numbers, names, or addresses that would otherwise require manual exploration.
Using partial words often works best. Typing Sig may find Signature. Typing Addr may locate Address fields. Experimentation is encouraged.
Key Functions in the Preview App That Matter for Accessibility
Preview is designed for interaction, not just storage.
Navigation controls remain consistent across documents. Search, markup, page navigation and sharing tools stay in predictable locations. This reduces the learning curve and cognitive load.
Preview also remembers where you left off, often reopening documents at the same page or location.
Preview Versus Files: Why the Difference Matters
Files excels at storage and organization. Preview excels at reading, reviewing, and editing.
Opening PDFs in Files often blends folder navigation with document interaction. Preview separates those roles cleanly. For VoiceOver users, this separation results in more predictable navigation and a clearer sense of purpose.
Creating a PDF From Word Pages or Spreadsheets: How Preview Fits Into the Workflow
Preview can absolutely be part of creating a PDF from documents like Word or Pages and from spreadsheets such as Numbers or Excel, but it is important to understand the role it plays.
Preview does not replace Word, Pages, Numbers, or Excel for creating or editing the original document. Preview becomes the destination for the PDF after you export it.
The simplest workflow is to create or edit your document in the original app, then export to PDF, then open that PDF in Preview for reviewing, searching, annotating, signing, and sharing.
This is especially useful when you want to produce a clean final PDF and then add a signature, notes, highlights, or other markup before sending it out.
Step-by-Step VoiceOver Instructions
To export a Word or Pages Document to PDF and Open in Preview:
- Open Microsoft Word or Pages.
- Open the document you want to convert.
- Find and activate the Share button.
- Look for an option such as Export, Send a Copy, or Share as.
- Choose PDF as the format.
- Choose where to send or save the PDF.
- If you see an option to open in Preview, choose it.
- If you save it to Files or another location, open the Preview app, then open the PDF from there.
Once the PDF is in Preview, you can search, copy text, add notes, sign, and share the finalized document.
Step-by-Step VoiceOver Instructions
To export a spreadsheet to PDF and open in Preview:
- Open Numbers or Excel.
- Open the spreadsheet you want to share as a PDF.
- Activate Share.
- Choose Export or Send a Copy.
- Choose PDF.
- Choose where to save or send the exported PDF.
- Open the exported PDF in Preview.
Preview will not edit spreadsheet cells, but it is excellent for reviewing the exported layout, adding comments, highlighting specific figures, signing, and sharing.
Step-by-Step VoiceOver Instructions:
Create a PDF Using the Print to PDF Workflow and Send to Preview
This method is often useful when an app does not clearly offer Export to PDF, but does offer Print.
- Open the document in the app you are using.
- Activate Share.
- Choose Print.
- When the print screen appears, locate the share option on that screen.
- Activate Share.
- Choose an option such as Save to Files or Open in Preview if available.
- If you save it, open the Preview app and open the PDF.
This creates a PDF without needing a printer and gives you a file ready for Preview.
Signing Documents with Preview
Signing PDFs in Preview is significantly more accessible than before. Markup tools make it straightforward to add a signature, place it, and save or share the document.
VoiceOver users can create or reuse signatures and position them confidently. Completing this task independently, without third-party apps, is a meaningful accessibility win.
Taking Notes and Adding Annotations
Preview supports comments, text annotations, and highlights directly within PDFs.
Annotations are clearly announced by VoiceOver and easy to navigate later. This makes Preview useful not just for reading but for active review and collaboration.
Copy and Paste From PDFs Using Preview
Preview handles copy and paste reliably when text is selectable. VoiceOver users can select text using the rotor, copy it and paste it into Mail, Notes, Messages, or Word-style documents
This is especially helpful for extracting addresses, directions, contact lists or schedules from PDFs.
Using the Clipboard
Three-Finger Quadruple Tap: VoiceOver users can simplify copy and paste workflows using the clipboard.
After copying text, perform a three-finger quadruple tap to open the clipboard. From here, previously copied items can be reviewed and pasted without reselecting text. This is especially useful when pulling multiple pieces of information from a PDF.
Copying Text From Uneditable PDFs
Some PDFs are image-based and do not contain selectable text. Preview can still help using Live Text.
When Live Text detects text, VoiceOver may announce selectable elements. If text is detected, standard copy steps apply.
If not sharing the page to Notes or another OCR-enabled app, it can allow text extraction. Results vary based on document quality, but Preview paired with Live Text increases independence.
Opening PDFs Directly From Email
When receiving a PDF attachment in Mail Preview, you can open it directly. This avoids saving the file to Files first. Documents open ready for reading, signing, or annotating. This is especially helpful for time-sensitive materials.
Step-by-Step VoiceOver Instructions
To open a PDF attachment from Mail in Preview:
- Open the Mail app.
- Open the message with the PDF attachment.
- Navigate to the attachment.
- Activate it to open.
- If you are offered Open in Preview, choose it.
- The document opens in Preview ready for review and edits.
Sharing and Sending Edited PDFs
Edited PDFs can be shared directly from Preview. Use the Share option to send via Mail, Messages, AirDrop, or other apps. All edits, annotations, and signatures remain intact.
Preview supports smooth end-to-end workflows without app switching.
Step-by-Step VoiceOver Instructions
To send an edited PDF from Preview by email:
- Open the PDF in Preview.
- Navigate to the Share button and activate it.
- Choose Mail.
- Address the email, add a subject if exploring the Preview app from a VoiceOver user perspective you like, and send.
- The PDF sends with your edits included.
Moving Forward
Preview is still new and will continue to evolve. Even now it represents a meaningful shift in how Apple approaches document interaction on iOS and iPadOS.
For blind and low-vision users, Preview is worth learning and incorporating into daily routines. Tools that are not just accessible but thoughtfully designed for real world use.
***
Walking the Camino De Santiago Blind
by Richard Rueda
(The ACB Braille Forum Volume LXIV • January 2026 • No. 5)
We often call the things we yearn to do in life items on our bucket list. For some, that list may be full of adventures; for others, it might be a single dream that lingers quietly in the background. At 51, I admit I had never clearly defined mine, yet I knew that when opportunities for travel or new experiences arose, I would always jump at the chance.
In mid-October 2025, one of those long-held aspirations came to life as friends and I walked the Camino de Santiago from Sarria to Santiago, Spain. This is the minimum 116 kilometers that one must complete by foot to be considered a pilgrim. Over five days, we crossed city streets, forest paths, open farmlands, and quiet villages, ending our 62-mile journey in the heart of Santiago before the magnificent cathedral.
In preparation for this journey, I walked three to six miles daily, sometimes on the treadmill, but more often around my neighborhood and downtown Sacramento. I preferred the quieter residential routes, where there were fewer obstacles and less wait time at crossings, allowing me to maintain a steady pace. As the departure date neared, I planned to walk the Camino using my white cane. However, I soon discovered that the changing terrain, gravel roads, uneven hills, and rocky trails made the cane less effective. Walking with a trusted friend familiar with my stride and blindness, we decided that hiking poles would serve better. They not only supported balance and endurance over seven to eight hours of walking each day, but also proved invaluable for navigating natural terrain. When crossings or boulders presented challenges, I would lightly hold my friend’s backpack as we worked our way through. The experience reminded me that adaptation is a form of independence, not a limitation.
When I took my first steps on day one, I wasn’t sure if I could truly complete the journey. Carrying only a backpack and the essentials, I felt a sense of liberation. The simplicity of what I carried forced focus and intention. It reminded me how much lighter we travel, both physically and mentally, when we let go of what no longer serves us.
As a professional and leader, this lesson resonated deeply. We often carry too much in our work lives, worry, outdated habits, or resistance to change. The Camino reminded me to move forward with clarity and trust, taking only what is essential to purpose and progress.
Throughout the walk, I met fellow pilgrims, each with their own story, challenge, or hope. Some sought healing, others renewal, and many simply wanted to reconnect with themselves. Listening to their stories gave me perspective on my own path. It reaffirmed that empathy, patience, and shared experience are what strengthen teams, friendships, and understanding.
By the time we reached Santiago, I felt both humbled and renewed. The walk helped me slow down, reflect on challenges at work, and uncover new possibilities that had been obscured by the noise of daily life. It reinforced a quiet truth: when we show up with purpose and consistency, clarity follows.
The Camino gave me faith in people, in process, and in persistence. It reminded me that leadership, like pilgrimage, is not about speed or perfection, but about endurance, humility, and trust in the path ahead.
What path is calling you to take your next step?
*****
College Students Add Puppy Training to Their Course Load
In dorm rooms and dining halls, students at University of Maryland and elsewhere train future guide dogs.
By Kyle Melnick
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2026/03/03/college-students-service-guide-dogs/)
Julie Gray unzipped her navy fleece and dropped it onto the head of a puppy named Hope. The dog moved her head in confusion but stayed seated on the floor
of an academic building at the University of Maryland.
“She wants her head out, but she’s not freaking out,” Gray told fellow students who held dog leashes. “So that’s what the jacket test is.”
She explained that the exercise was to prepare for a real-life scenario, when a jacket falls off a chair and onto a dog.
“You wouldn’t want them to get up, make a scene,” Gray said.
The recent training class was for student members of a college chapter for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, a nonprofit that provides service dogs
to people with vision impairments.
The Guide Dog Foundation — as well as a handful of other organizations that provide service dogs — has in recent years relied on college students who are
willing to have dogs with them in their dorms, in classes and in dining halls to train the pups.
The groups see college campuses as strong training grounds because they expose puppies to thousands of people and a wide range of social gatherings. Students,
many of whom miss the dogs they grew up with, also benefit by having a fuzzy companion while pursuing their degrees.
At the College Park class last month, the exercises were intended to teach puppies patience and obedience so they can eventually guide their handlers at
a slow pace around obstacles and on various surfaces.
Leading the class was Gray, the club’s president, who grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland, with a mixed poodle, Max, and a mixed boxer, Sora. Gray’s
mother, Marcela, predicted for years that Gray would become a veterinarian because she was always stopping in public to pet strangers’ dogs.
In September 2022 — soon after Gray started attending the University of Maryland — she saw a Labrador retriever near the center of campus and asked if
she could pet the dog. A student told Gray she couldn’t because the puppy — who wore a yellow vest that labeled her as an assistance dog in training —
was working.
Gray learned about the club, called Terps Raising Pups, and signed up a few weeks later to look after dogs when their raisers were busy — she didn’t think
she had time to raise her own puppy. But that fall, a volunteer dropped out of raising Lulu, a 3-month-old black Labrador retriever.
After her roommate in an on-campus dorm agreed, Gray volunteered to raise Lulu. The University of Maryland says it allows service animals everywhere on campus except in areas where there could be health, environmental or safety hazards, like laboratories and mechanical
rooms.
Gray, a neurobiology and physiology major, didn’t know how much work raising Lulu would be. Every morning, Gray would feed Lulu breakfast, attach a leash to her and pack her supplies, including a water bowl, treats, a toy and poop bags. One of
the first times Gray walked Lulu on campus, the dog began to get overheated. So Gray scooped her up and carried her — making a walk that normally took
about 20 minutes close to an hour, Gray said.
Lulu in October 2022. (Julie Gray)
Early in the morning and late at night, Gray and Lulu descended three flights of stairs so the puppy could go to the bathroom. Sometimes, before Lulu was
potty-trained, she did her business in the dorm — and Gray cleaned it up.
The only places Gray didn’t take Lulu were parties and her classes in laboratories. But Gray said she didn’t miss out on other activities — another club
member watched Lulu when Gray was busy.
In January 2024 — after about 14 months of training — a Guide Dog Foundation volunteer drove Lulu to the organization’s headquarters in Smithtown, New
York, where dogs finish training and are paired with their handlers. Gray said that after Lulu left for the job she’d been trained for, she missed the
pup and cried for months.
“She was the most important thing I have done in my college career,” said Gray, who’s now raising her third and fourth service dogs: Hope, a Labrador and
golden retriever mix, and Emmett, a 7-month-old black poodle.
Gray, who said raising guide dogs for the blind has motivated her to work in ophthalmology after she graduates in May, said thinking about how her puppies
will help others makes her proud.
The impact of her group’s work has reached Lubbock, Texas, where Dannielle Schutz received a guide dog named Percy in June. Schutz, who’s partially blind,
said she has been apart from Percy, a black Labrador retriever, only for a few hours since being paired with her.
Schutz, 23, said she wanted a guide dog as a more reliable way to navigate airports and new cities than her walking cane. Now Percy goes with Schutz to
her yoga classes and on her daily walks, as well as on the bus to her job as a research coordinator at Texas Tech University.
When Percy isn’t guiding Schutz, she acts like a regular dog. Percy, 2, steals Schutz’s socks, plays hide-and-seek and carries a squeaky octopus toy that
she has played with so much; it no longer has its eight arms.
“She makes my life better in so many ways,” Schutz said.
The first steps to create those bonds were seen at the training class in mid-February in College Park, where dogs practiced walking through doors and up
and down stairs at students’ pace. Other students studied for exams at nearby tables and picked out snacks at an adjacent cafe.
Near the beginning of class, students tried to keep their dogs still for two minutes and 30 seconds.
Fast Eddie, a 3-month-old Labrador retriever, seemed more interested in playing with the 5-month-old Labrador beside him, Par.
“He’s usually not like this,” said Sara Khan, a freshman raising Eddie. “I think it’s the rain.”
Eddie and Par calmed down about a minute later, and Gray told the students to give their puppies chicken-and-rice-flavored kibble from pouches around their
waists.
“Treating them for doing nothing is kind of what we do at this age,” said Gray, 21.
Gray’s 10-month-old dog, Hope, exemplified how much the dogs mature in a few months. She had completed similar classes more than a dozen times and almost
looked bored by the exercise.
When the 2½ minutes passed, all of the students gave their dogs treats and pets while saying “good job” in high-pitched voices.
The students led their dogs for nearly an hour through exercises, including asking them to sit and wait while students held a treat in front of them. Then
the students instructed their dogs to bite and release a bone-shaped toy.
“Good class, guys,” Gray concluded. “Everybody did really good.”
Some students replaced their puppies’ yellow vests with pink and light-blue raincoats and led them outside. They walked through rain and puddles to their
dorms and apartments, where the dogs enjoyed a well-deserved dinner and rest after another day of work.
***
My Life as a Mantis:
By Manny Mantis and Debby Hill
(BRL MEMORANDUM, Vol. XLIV Spring 2026 No. 1- Published by The Braille Revival League)
Hello, my name is Manny, well really it is Emanual Manfred Mantis, but my team leader Debby calls me Manny. I am a Mantis. No, not that weird but mostly beneficial insect, we are nothing alike, we just share a name. And Debby wouldn’t like her teammate to be a bug.
So, what am I, and what do I look like? Well, I am a braille notetaker/braille display. I help Debby take notes in her many meetings, read books, and using Bluetooth connect to her computer over the air which is really amazing to a humble guy like me. We connect to that computer a lot, because she always has things to write and to look up with that monster. So how do I do all of this fantastic work? Well let me describe myself. The biggest part of me is my keyboard, which I am proud to say has many keys. Debby calls it a qwerty keyboard. But not only do I have letters and numbers, but above those keys I have twelve function keys. On the bottom row of my keyboard I have two shift keys, two control keys, two alt keys, a Windows key, and a spacebar. There is another single key that is called a function or “FN” key, but it is not one of the function keys on the top row of my keyboard. I don’t understand it all, but Debby seems to know what to do with it.
My crowning glory and I do call it a crown lays in front of my qwerty keyboard. It is forty braille cells each containing eight dots. As Debby does stuff on the qwerty keyboard the dots move up and down, up and down. Above each cell is something called a routing button. All I know about it is that when Debby presses one to move my focus to a particular cell, it tickles. I like it when she does that!
On my front edge in the middle is my home button which takes Debby to my main menu. Also on my front edge are thumb keys that Debby uses to bring more information onto my braille crown. For those who get into the technical stuff on my left side I have an on/off button flanked by a USB C and a USB A port. On my back edge is a slot for an SD card.
Another fine feature of mine is I have a battery so that Debby doesn’t have to be stuck in one place with me and believe me she doesn’t stay in one place. We travel to those meetings, the library, and doctor’s offices. Doctor’s offices are scary; they smell funny and I am always afraid someone will want to take me apart.
Debby is pretty nice to me, and she bought me a really nice set of clothes. She said my outfit came from Executive Products now Turtleback. I wear the same clothes all of the time, I am lucky that way, I don’t have to change my socks every day.
I have to say I am a pretty rugged guy, although Debby is very careful with me. But one day I accidentally got swept off of a table, and I am proud to say I survived quite well, and Debby was so relieved that her teammate suffered no harm.
There is a lot more to me, but that gives you an idea of how useful I am. Please, if you would like to give one of my siblings a home contact The American Printing House or HumanWare.
Thanks to the Braille Revival League for letting me tell my story!
****
Traveling with a Service Dog: The Hidden Hurdles: Part 2
Written by Lucy Greco
For many years, traveling with a service dog was relatively easy. But today, we must go through an endless number of steps and procedures which were implemented to “help.” The intended outcome was never realized, and the situation is actually intolerable.
A few years ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation created new rules for individuals traveling with service animals. This policy was meant to get rid of problems caused by people traveling with untrained animals or people falsely claiming service or emotional support animals. Despite this higher bar, we are still seeing more untrained animals and fake service animals everywhere we want to travel.
The Real-World Impact of Misguided Policy
Besides being hard on the handler, this has also caused problems for legitimate service animals. At least twice in the past year, my dog has been threatened by another traveler’s dog. Once, I was standing at the counter handing in my paperwork to the agent when someone’s lap dog snapped at my dog. This other customer did not suffer any consequences from the poor behavior of her dog. As far as I could tell, she was not even asked to provide any documentation for her animal. Another time, while moving through the crowd control lineup strips, someone’s dog snarled at my dog and then relieved itself in the lineup area. This caused my dog a lot of stress, and he only proceeded through the line after a lot of encouragement. These types of incidents were what the rules were meant to prevent, but they are actually causing a lot more headaches for those of us legitimately traveling with service animals.
What is this bureaucratic procedure?
At its surface, the rule seems straightforward, but when you look closer, you will see where it begins to fail. It says that anyone traveling with a service animal must attest to the fact that the dog is properly trained, will behave appropriately, and will not relieve itself in the airport or on the airplane. Every airline has its own procedures to comply with these requirements. Some airlines have their own form that can be downloaded and completed offline. The handler must give a signed copy of this form to the airline every time they fly, and it is only valid for 30 days. I once was on a trip that lasted 32 days and did not have a newer copy of the form, which caused me no end of problems checking in for my return flight. I didn’t travel with a printer and wasn’t staying at a hotel, so I had no way to print a new form.
When I graduated with my most recent service animal, the certification my school provided accidentally had an incorrect spelling of my name. I discovered this fairly quickly, but I brought the wrong version of the form with me anyway. After all, one printed paper feels like all the rest. Once the form was printed, I had no way to know that I’d printed the wrong one. I was able to get someone to send me a corrected version via email that the airline accepted, but this almost made me miss my flight.
Once again, accessibility is missed
Airline forms often don’t work properly with a screen reader. This means I have to get a sighted person to confirm that I have properly completed the form before printing it. In addition, these forms have a lot of repetition, so even if you think you’ve completed the form, there may still be fields to fill out. For example, on one of these forms, I have to fill in my name three times and my dog’s vaccination dates twice. I have no idea why I have to repeat the information, as it’s only a one-page form.
And yet another privacy violation
Some airlines use a third-party agency to manage the compliance forms. However, they do not all use the same agency, and discovering which one to use can also be a problem. One of the airlines asks for one thing and another asks for others, so you have to research what is required each time you go on a trip. I also have given a lot of personal information to the agency, and I have no idea how they will protect it. The last time I used one of the third-party agencies, they rejected me because they incorrectly read the form I had completed. I received my training at Guide Dogs for the Blind in California and indicated so on my form. However, the agency reached out to the Guide Dog Foundation for verification, which of course didn’t work. I’m not sure how they made that mistake because I had also provided the right phone number. Luckily, I had filled this form out long enough in advance of my trip to correct the problem before getting rejected at the airport.
Over-Regulation can Lead to Unintended Consequences
These regulations, intended to solve one set of problems, have created new and frustrating hurdles for legitimate service dog teams. The current bureaucratic system is cumbersome, redundant, and often fails those it is meant to support. We need a simpler, more universally consistent, and accessible process. In the next posts, I will dive deeper into other specific issues.
***
Celebrating Six Years of the ACB Community
(Dots and Dashes March 16, 2026)
Since launching on March 17, 2020, the ACB Community has brought people together for connection, learning, and fun — now reaching an incredible milestone of 27,000 events. This vibrant space continues to thrive thanks to the volunteers, hosts, and participants who make it such a welcoming place. If you haven’t checked it out yet, we invite you to join us! To ask questions or subscribe to receive the daily schedule by email, contact community@acb.org.
***
Orienting Yourself
by Deborah Armstrong
(The ACB Braille Forum- Volume LXIV • April 2026 • No. 8)
Have you ever asked to be shown around a facility or outdoor area, and still felt disoriented after a helpful someone walked with you and described many things? It used to occur for me too often. But then I began to analyze how I was reacting to being oriented, and I changed my responses.
At the college where I work, as I observed our staff orienting new blind students to the campus, including outdoor paths and indoor buildings, I realized there were many take-aways I could share.
Stay Curious
It’s often tempting to passively walk along during a tour, listening tentatively but staying quiet and polite. After all, if you are a tourist, it’s important to let the tour leader do their thing. If you are in a museum, the docent is giving the tour, not you. But this behavior won’t work when you must learn your way around a new place. So you need to ask questions of your guide. The guide may, for example, say, “We’re turning right here.” That’s your cue to ask questions about the turn. What happens if you inadvertently pass that turn? Will you encounter a water fountain, a doorway, a particular shrub? Once you have that information, you’ll know where you are, even if you pass the place where you were supposed to turn. And of course you’ll also want to ask what you’ll encounter if you turn too soon as well.
Find out about signage in your area.
My famous example is the sign reading “Audio Visual Services” near the back of the college library. Many sighted students wander about searching for the library due to the misleading nature of that sign. But if I wave my phone around while using an A.I. app, and it reads that sign to me, I know I’m near the library building. Likewise, if my cane touches the statue of a turtle, located in the center of a large patio area, I know which patio I’m on. Because that area is particularly disorienting, I’ve also taught my dog to take me up to the turtle so I can touch it. So ask your guide to show you any unusual landmarks that can help you stay oriented. Ask too about entrances and steps. One building may have many ways in and out, and knowing about all of them helps build your mental map. Many places have both stairs and ramps, so if you go down the stairs one day and up the corresponding ramp the next day, you won’t think you are somewhere unfamiliar.
So be sure to ask your guide questions about buildings, signage and other landmarks, even if they are only visual. Next time you are lost, you can ask your phone or another person what they see and that can help orient you as well. And your knowledge can also help orient even sighted people.
Simplify
Maybe a route seems unnecessarily complicated. For example, instead of crossing a huge parking lot to get to a “big box” store, ask a helper if there’s a back entrance with a sidewalk leading to it. Many sighted helpers often want to show you the shortest route, rather than a possibly longer and definitely safer route that is easier to master. A route with fewer landmarks, like a parking lot, where you must weave around cars, can be more disorienting and dangerous than having to walk an extra half mile.
Pay Attention
My mind tends to wander when it shouldn’t. But if I’m getting oriented, I try to focus on sounds, smells and other cues like the presence of a slope, whether a path is concrete or asphalt, the direction of the sun, the width and length of a hallway and the distance I travel between two landmarks. If you’re with a trained O&M instructor, they are likely to point out these features, but not if you are being oriented by a co-worker or friend. So it’s good to think about all the cues that can tell you where you are. Our campus has three decorative fountains, all in the middle of large plazas, but each has a different sound pattern which gives me important clues about my location. Doors to various buildings have distinctive squeaks, and even their air conditioning units have different sounding rumbles. My footsteps on a covered walkway sound different from footsteps in the open, and changes in light patterns can also clue anyone with residual vision in to their location.
Take Notes
You won’t remember all the details, so having a recording to refer to later can really help. If the person orienting you is OK with being recorded, take advantage of that. Otherwise, you can use A.I. technology or your own memory to log directions and descriptions. If you struggle with cardinal directions, take some time to log them and pay attention to them. Depending on whether you are facing a particular street, the bus stop could be on the right or the left. But it always is north of that side of the intersection.
Practice
And last of all, get out and walk around. The only way to build a mental map is to explore, to make those wrong turns and learn what is where. People who drive do the very same thing. If they drive a great deal, they build a strong mental map. If instead they only drive one route, that’s the only route they learn. So, a sighted driver can get just as lost in a city as a blind person if they haven’t traveled around enough.
Avoid feeling frustrated. Don’t consider yourself bad at staying oriented without trying some of these tools. If a route is complicated, don’t wait until you have to be on time to travel it. Explore when your time is free and you will avoid the stress of being lost. Explore different ways to arrive at the same location, and don’t be afraid to ask someone to help you learn those different ways.
As I walk across campus, sighted staff often ask me where something is located, simply because they’ve learned I know that sort of stuff. There’s always a construction project under way, so a cyclone fence often blocks a familiar route, flummoxing my sighted co-workers too. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it took me several years to master its 112 acres. I’m still learning new routes. Orienting myself is simply a matter of mastering a few skills. It’s not rocket science!
***
An Intimate Evening With Jason Castonguay, Now Available for Listening Anytime
(originally recorded on Monday, February 2)
Share the Journey through life, music, production, and Jason surprises us with a live stunning performance.
We are eagerly anticipating a candlelight evening as Jason Castonguay joins us for an intimate conversation filled with music memory and meaning. Jason will walk us through his journey with life vision and vision loss while opening the songbook of his life and sharing the inspirations that shaped him including his time on the Idol stage.
Jason Castonguay was the first official Connecticut Idol for Fox TV dazzling a stadium audience of 10000 in Las Vegas before returning home to Hartford’s Bushnell Memorial Auditorium as a special guest star performer with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra before an audience of 3000. His musical story began early when he was discovered playing the entire National Anthem on a toy organ at the age of 3. His formal studies continued at the Hartt School of Music and later at Central Connecticut State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music performance Jazz Studies and Management Information Systems.
Jason has performed hundreds of concerts locally and across the country including many years with the New Britain Symphony Orchestra. He is especially beloved for his renditions from the Great American Song Book appealing to audiences of all ages. Beyond the stage Jason is an expert in computer technology with professional experience at AT and T and Apple Inc and is admired for his warm engaging presence as much as his extraordinary talent.
At home Jason enjoys time in his recording studio surrounded by an eclectic collection that includes Western Electric telephones a digital pipe organ and a flock of pet chickens. He travels frequently performing on ocean cruises has co hosted radio programs and continues to explore new instruments including the harp and trumpet.
Join us for this heartfelt evening of stories music and connection as Jason shares not just the notes he plays but the life behind them. Listen live on 2020 The Beacon and stream worldwide on Corona FM by visiting www.anthonycorona.com and clicking the Corona FM tab.
And remember Corona FM runs 24 hours a day seven days a week featuring past Intimate Evenings Behind the Music and more from the Sunday Edition family of podcasts and digital media content services.
Search for Sunday Edition with Anthony Corona wherever you listen to your podcasts or click here:
https://pinecast.com/listen/4578ce10-45c7-48ec-bfbd-6807502f694c.mp3
***
Symbiosis Is the Key
by Deborah Armstrong
(The ACB Braille Forum- Volume LXIV • April 2026 • No. 8)
Nowadays, nobody rejects us. We can walk into classrooms and sit at desks with other students. We can apply for jobs, ride the bus and join committees.
Discrimination isn’t blatant. But its more subtle nature is depressing, because it could cause us to stop believing in ourselves.
Thank goodness, as a child, my parents taught me to believe in my abilities. I walked to my public kindergarten several blocks away with a few of my little friends. I never knew that my dad followed a block behind for the first few weeks, to ensure we were safe. He showed all of us how to look and listen before crossing the street, without calling special attention to me, but not leaving me out either. My dad says I was good at reminding the other five-year-olds to look both ways!
Ten years later, I won the coveted summer job of 4-H camp counselor. I had the usual teen anxiety by then, worried about how I could control sighted children and how to make sure they would look up to me as an authority. But my parents reminded me I could ask for help without becoming helpless. If a child guided me on a hike, I was still in charge, and if I needed directions to the dining hall, it simply meant I was communicating with my charges as an equal rather than as a boss.
I found by welcoming assistance from the kids, I became part of their group, respected as a leader because I was older and more mature, obeyed because I was respected. “Who’s missing?” I’d ask when we gathered around the campfire, and “What did we do with the knot-tying rope?” — things any sighted counselor would also ask if what they needed was not in plain sight. When one little boy grabbed my cane and said, “You don’t need the magic stick, because I’m here now!” I realized that his taking responsibility was helping both of us grow.
Today I work at a community college, where I often see students with disabilities whose pride gets in the way. One student, losing his vision, walked around our unfamiliar campus in 100-degree temperatures, until he collapsed from heat stroke because he was embarrassed to ask someone to read signs and help him find his air-conditioned classroom.
The opposite is also true. Students who regularly ask for help with even the smallest tasks give others the impression they will never succeed. For example, one of my sighted students with severe dyslexia wouldn’t take a computer class unless her mother was present.
The 112 acres of our campus can be daunting for any blind person’s mobility skills, but I make a point of traveling to unfamiliar buildings on a regular basis so I stay oriented. On the other hand, if I’m concerned I will be late to a meeting, I don’t hesitate to ride the shuttle for the physically disabled.
Though I cannot use the office photocopier, due to its inaccessible touchscreen, I’m the unofficial tech support solution when my co-workers have computer issues.
It’s not just us blind folks who struggle with interdependence, knowing when to ask for help and when to try on our own. Building partnerships, I believe, is the solution. It helps us master skills while removing the shame we could have felt when we were unable to accomplish something independently. Plus employers and volunteer coordinators always look for people with a teamwork mindset.
If we want to truly belong, we must know our own strengths and what we can give back. A blind student can participate in visually oriented group project by taking notes, arranging meeting times and locations, baking snacks, procuring equipment like whiteboards and projectors, creating and administering an agenda, making suggestions to improve the project and following up afterwards to ensure everyone is on task. Even if the project results in a report full of photos and diagrams, the blind student knows he’s fully contributed to the outcome. The student did not need to hold the camera or do the actual drawing to be a vital part of the group.
In my early entry-level jobs I eagerly got everyone’s coffee, answered phones, greeted visitors, neatened up the office, edited the employee newsletter, and volunteered for every project within my skill set. So if I needed help formatting a document, locating a building, filling out forms, filing some papers or even getting a ride, my co-workers did not feel put upon. I worked as hard as they did, and helping me, for them, was often more fun than the task they would have needed to complete, had I not volunteered for it already.
Of course I made mistakes. Sometimes I spent more time trying to figure out how to do something instead of just asking someone else to quickly do it for me. Other times, I asked for help when it was something I could easily accomplish myself. But interdependence is a learning process, and many failures simply means you’ve committed to practicing becoming better.
And this truth follows us throughout our lives. We may be included because nobody wants to discriminate, but we truly belong when we bring meaningful contributions.
***
From Being Counted to Being Heard: Moving from Inclusion to Belonging with Low Vision
by Dee Ann Hart, American Council of the Blind of Indiana
(The ACB Braille Forum- Volume LXIV • April 2026 • No. 8)
For many of us navigating the world with low vision, the word “inclusion” has been the gold standard for decades. It’s the ramp at the entrance, the screen reader software on the office computer, or the large-print menu at a restaurant.
But while inclusion ensures we are invited to the room, it doesn’t always mean we feel at home there. As we move deeper into 2026, the conversation is shifting. We are looking beyond mere access and toward belonging.
Understanding the Gap: Inclusion vs. Belonging
To understand the shift, we have to look at how these two concepts function in daily life:
- Inclusion is a Checklist: It’s about compliance. It’s the “What.” What tools do you need to do your job? What font size do you need for this document?
- Belonging is a Feeling: It’s about culture. It’s the “Who.” Who are you in this space? Are you a peer, or are you a “special case” that requires extra work?
When you have low vision, inclusion often feels like accommodation. You are the person who needs the lights dimmed or the PDF remediated. Belonging happens when those adjustments are so woven into the environment that you don’t have to ask for them — or feel guilty when you do.
The Pillars of Belonging for the Low-Vision Community
Moving the needle from “present” to “valued” requires a change in both environment and mindset.
- Proactive Design over Reactive Fixes
Belonging begins when accessibility is the default, not the afterthought.
- Inclusion: Sending a document, then re-sending an accessible version only after being asked.
- Belonging: Using high-contrast templates and alt-text as a standard practice for everyone, ensuring the person with low vision never has to “out” themselves to get information.
- Social Integration and “Sight-Neutral” Interaction
The social tax of low vision is real. Belonging means your peers understand how to interact without making it awkward.
“Belonging is when my co-workers announce themselves when they walk into my office, not because I’m blind, but because that’s just how we respect each other’s space.”
- Psychological Safety
True belonging allows for the “bad vision days” without the fear of appearing incompetent. It’s the freedom to use your CCTV or handheld magnifier in a meeting without feeling like a spectacle. When a culture prioritizes belonging, your value is tied to your insights, not the mechanics of how you read them.
How to Advocate for Belonging
If you are currently included but don’t yet feel like you belong, here are three ways to bridge the gap:
- Normalize the Tools: Use your assistive tech openly. When we treat our magnifiers or OrCams as standard productivity tools (like a mouse or a second monitor), we shift the narrative from disability to workflow.
- Educate through Connection: Instead of a formal complaint, try a collaborative approach: “I can contribute much faster in these meetings if we use the high-contrast mode on the shared screen. Can we make that the team standard?”
- Find Your Community: Belonging often starts with finding others who get it. Whether it’s a local low-vision meetup or a digital forum, seeing yourself reflected in others builds the confidence to demand that same level of acceptance in the sighted world.
The Bottom Line
Inclusion is a seat at the table; belonging is knowing you have every right to speak. For the low-vision community, the goal is no longer just to be “seen” (pun intended), but to be understood, integrated, and valued for the unique perspective we bring to the table.
***
What’s Up with Team Blue in VA – Journeying Into and Out of the “Big C”
By Patty L. Fletcher, GDUI board member- chair of the Membership Committee
Friday, March 13, 2026
Hello, everyone. 😊
I hope all are well.
As you may have noticed, Team Blue has been rather quiet these days. Oh, the human half has had plenty to say, but Chief Blue himself has not been much in evidence. 🐾
Many of you may know that I’ve just come through a big scare with the “Big C”—which is to say, cancer.
In February, I was diagnosed with a 2-inch polyp and a 9-inch growth in my uterus that turned out to be cancerous. I’ve had plenty to say about it on my blog. If you’ve missed those posts, here’s a link that will take you to them all.
They appear newest first on the page, but the site is heading-navigable, so when you get to the one you want, just click the title link.
https://pattysworlds.com/?s=Journey+Out+of+the+%22BiG+C%22
Now I’m on the other side of this thing with a clean bill of health after surgery. They got it all—clear margins on either side—and I’m so glad. I mean, I was ready to fight the big fight and kick the Slytherin out of the “Big C,” but I’m grateful that cup passed from me. 🐍
Where has Chief Seeing Eye Dog Blue been during all this, you ask?
In late February, Blue went to stay with a foster family who takes in guide dogs, and he has been living his best life. He’s been on vacation with a teenage boy to romp around with—and you tell me what big Labrador doesn’t enjoy a teenage boy to romp around with, and I’ll tell you there’s a real problem somewhere. 🐕
Thanks to the help of a trainer, Blue has also been working several days a week, and for this I’m grateful. Blue is getting an upgrade while I’m down here trying to get back online.
My body is a total SNAFU right now, but I’m hopefully on the mend. My bloodwork is returning to normal, and my pain has lessened quite a lot.
I still tire easily, and I’m occasionally having a few brain-fog moments that last a little longer than we’d like due to the anesthesia. So I’m not quite ready for my boy just yet—but I’m getting there.
This morning I walked laps in the hallway. Our floors are long, so laps are worth doing. There’s even a nice rail for me to lean on if I get tired or feel unsteady, and a lovely window where I can stand and listen to the morning passing by if I want to rest for just a tiny moment before going on my way. So I’m happy to walk around in the early morning and get my steps in.
Now I’m back inside, having another cup of brew ☕, and for a moment all is right in my world.
For now, this is the human half of Team Blue saying:
“Keep your nose to the ground and your tail waving at the sky.” 🐾
***
Moving from Inclusion to Belonging
by Peter Heide
(The ACB Braille Forum- Volume LXIV • April 2026 • No. 8)
The sign outside said, “Join us. All are welcome.”
Believing the sign to be true, some friends of mine joined into worship at this church. They were greeted at the door, thanked for coming to be with them that day, and escorted to a pew in the sanctuary where they were left. People came and sat in pews near them, but no one said anything to them. Finally, one friend turned to engage the person behind him in conversation. He got no response. After worship, as they were leaving, the pastor shook their hands and said, “Thank you for coming today. I hope you will come again.”
My friends chose to be persistent. Each week, they came, were greeted, thanked for coming, and politely led to a place in the sanctuary before worship and left to themselves.
In time, they decided they needed to be more proactive and become more active in the congregation. They joined a Bible study. As they became acquainted with the spaces of the church and began to learn the names of others in the group, they felt more comfortable in the community and talked about their new experiences to others.
Then one night in January, when the temperatures were low, the air crisp, and the breeze brisk, my friends took a cab to church for the Bible study that week. They had a good time, and, after the study, they continued their conversation. The time got a little later than usual. When the time came to leave, my friends asked if anyone would be driving home in their direction. When no one claimed to live near them, they called a cab and went to the door to wait. While they were waiting, the pastor came by and thanked them for coming. He asked them if they would be OK. My friends assured him by saying, “Yes, our cab is coming.”
A few minutes later, the custodian said that he had to lock up. Would they just make sure that the door latched when they left?
Now, alone in the church, my friends waited for their ride. After 20 minutes, they again called the cab company. Twenty minutes more, and they called the cab company again. The dispatcher told them the cab had been there twice, and the driver couldn’t find anyone. The parking lot was empty, and the church was dark. Finally, one of my friends went outside in order to be seen by the driver. He stood in plain view with his white cane in 5-degree blustery winds. One hour after everyone had left, the cab finally arrived, and they were home shortly afterwards.
We often claim to be inclusive; we say that all are welcome; we offer our business services to everyone; and we are sincere. Yet because we assume those who join us are like us or, at least, want to be like us, we harbor the conceit that what we have is what everyone wants, and the reason that others have come to us is a desire to share what we already have. Therefore, we do not take time to listen to the concerns of those joining us, and we do not avail ourselves of the life experiences and life perspectives they bring to our community.
Saying we want people included is nice, but wanting people to belong requires hospitality, that is, warmth, friendliness, generosity. Hospitality is not just thanking people for showing up, but a willingness to move over, making space for the new person. Hospitality also means listening to their story and honoring their experiences. Hospitality means being willing to sacrifice what is familiar and comfortable in order to accommodate new ideas and ways of doing things. Hospitality means recognizing the person next to you, hearing what they have to say, and empowering them to participate in the work of the organization.
This does not mean we surrender our identity, but that we are willing to enter into new styles of being. It means being open to new roads and paths to getting where we all want to go — a world of belonging. When I lost my eyesight this last time, I was looking for a place to belong. Before coming to ACB, I tried a couple of other organizations. There I was tolerated, even included, but ACB is where I found I belong.
***
New Merchandise Collection: Vision Beyond Sight
(The ACB Braille Forum- Volume LXIV • April 2026 • No. 8)
The ACB Mini Mall is beyond excited to unveil our brand-new merchandise collection: Vision Beyond Sight! This dynamic line represents an inspiring leap forward for ACB, and by convention time it will include 10 bold, innovative items — many unlike anything we’ve ever offered in our classic assortment. Every piece proudly features the striking “Vision Beyond Sight” logo alongside the American Council of the Blind name.
Here’s a glimpse into what makes this logo so extraordinary: “This logo is abstract, modern, and powerfully symbolic. Instead of depicting a traditional eye, it blends dots, lines, and sound waves to express that vision is so much more than sight alone. It’s energetic yet balanced, infused with motion and cutting-edge design. The logo radiates quiet bravery — honoring every form of perception: sight, sound, touch, intuition, memory. It’s not an eye that sees; it’s an eye that understands.”
And the best part? The first two items are available right now at- https://acbminimall.org/
Check out the sleek long-sleeve T-shirt (in black or green) and the cozy 1/4 zip pullover (in red or blue). If you have questions, contact Chris Sawyer at csawyer@acb.org or (612) 257-6063.
***
Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
By Michelle Diener, DVM
Petmd.com
(https://www.theultimateleash.com/)
What Are Seasonal Allergies in Dogs?
Dogs can be allergic to various things in the environment, such as pollen from trees and grass. If a dog displays allergy symptoms only during certain seasons, such as spring and fall, a seasonal allergy rather than a year-round allergy is suspected. This means that the dog is allergic to allergens that are in the environment only during certain times of the year. Dogs with seasonal allergies can be itchy in specific areas, such as their paws, or be itchy all over. They can also have recurring ear infections and skin infections when they are exposed to various environmental allergens at certain times during the year.
Seasonal allergies are different from year-round environmental allergies and food allergies because symptoms are observed only during specific times of the year, depending on what the dog is allergic to and when the specific allergens are prevalent in the environment. In contrast, dogs with year-round allergies will have skin issues all year long.
Most dogs with seasonal allergies have symptoms during the spring (March through May) and fall (September through November), but this can vary based on weather and location.
Types of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
The following allergens commonly cause seasonal allergies in dogs:
- Grass pollen
- Tree pollen
- Weed pollen
- Molds and yeasts
- Dust mites and storage mites
- Fleas, causing flea bite dermatitis
Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Symptoms will vary depending upon the dog, but may include:
- Excessive licking, usually of the paws, but the licking can be anywhere on the body
- Saliva staining of the fur where the dog is licking the skin excessively
- Chewing/gnawing
- Scratching
- Hair loss
- Redness of the skin
- Crusts
- Moist skin
- Darkening of the skin (black pigmented skin)
- Thickening of the skin (elephant skin)
- Odor to the skin or ears
- Head shaking
- Pawing at the ears, eyes, or face
- Recurring scooting or licking of the anus due to anal sacs becoming problematic secondary to allergies
- Watery eyes
- Reverse sneezing
The most common areas of a dog’s body that are affected by seasonal allergies are the paws (especially between the digits), limbs, mouth, ears, abdomen, groin, armpits, tail, and around the eyes.
Causes of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
A dog that suffers from seasonal allergies has an immune system that is hypersensitive to specific allergens in the environment. When the levels of the allergens become high, the dog’s immune system becomes triggered, leading to an allergic response and the development of symptoms.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Seasonal allergies are diagnosed based on physical exam findings, symptoms, and a history of having recurring symptoms and infections during the same seasons annually. Other skin conditions that can cause similar symptoms must also be ruled out, such as skin mites, fleas, or a food allergy, to reach a diagnosis of seasonal allergies. If fleas are found on a dog with symptoms of severe itchiness, redness, and hair loss, then a flea allergy is diagnosed and the dog is started on effective flea and tick prevention and anti-itch medication to see if symptoms resolve.
Treatment of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Seasonal allergies are a chronic condition, which means there is no cure. However, there are ways to treat and manage symptoms to keep your dog comfortable, including:
- Year-round flea and tick prevention such as NexGard®, Simparica®, Bravecto®, Seresto® collar, and K9 Advantix™ II
- Anti-itch medications such as Apoquel®, Cytopoint®, and prednisone are prescribed to alleviate any current itchiness and to manage the itch during flare-ups. If the itch can be controlled, the dog will remain comfortable and be at less risk for secondary skin infections. Once the allergy seasons are determined for a dog based on prior history, the anti-itch medication is started one month prior to the start of the allergy season and continued one month past when the allergy season ends.
- If the itch is not fully controlled with anti-itch medication, an e-collar or recovery cone should be worn to prevent the dog from licking and chewing at their body.
- An omega-3 fatty acid (fish oil) supplement, such as Welactin®, Vetoquinol, or Dermaquin®, will protect the skin barrier and minimize allergy symptoms.
- An omega-3 fatty acid supplement can also help with anal gland issues for dogs that tend to need their anal glands expressed more frequently during allergy season. It takes four to six weeks for an omega-3 fatty acid supplement to become effective, so it is best for a dog with seasonal allergies to be on this supplement year-round.
- Routine ear cleaning can help clear a current ear infection and reduce the frequency of future ear infections. If an ear infection is present, treat the infection and clean the ears based on recommendations from your veterinarian. When there is no infection, clean the dog’s ears with a routine ear cleaner, like EpiOtic® Advanced, on a routine basis throughout the year (typically every two to three weeks for maintenance).
- Ear medications, such as Mometamax®, Posatex®, and Tresaderm®, are prescribed to treat bacterial and/or yeast infections in a dog’s ears. After treatment, make sure to schedule a follow-up appointment with your veterinarian to recheck that the infection has resolved.
- Oral medications are often needed when a dog has a skin infection on multiple areas of the body. Antibiotics, such as clindamycin and cephalexin, are prescribed to treat bacterial skin infections, and anti-fungal medication, such as ketoconazole, is prescribed to treat fungal skin infections, such as yeast infections.
- Topical therapy can be used to soothe the skin and help with treatment of skin infections. There are many topical therapy options, including anti-bacterial and anti-fungal ointments, shampoos, conditioners, mousses, sprays, and wipes. Ask your veterinarian which topical therapy would work best based on your dog’s allergy symptoms and current skin condition.
Immunotherapy for Dogs With Seasonal Allergies
Immunotherapy consists of either allergy shots or allergy oral drops that are formulated based on allergy test results. To determine what environmental allergens a dog is most allergic to based on where the dog lives, a blood test can be performed by your veterinarian using a specific blood test (Heska’s Allercept® or Nextmune’s Pet Allergy Xplorer) to screen a dog for environmental allergies.
In addition to the allergy blood test, a veterinary dermatologist will also perform intradermal testing, which involves injecting small amounts of various environmental allergens into a dog’s skin in specific locations. The injection sites are then monitored over a period of time for signs of a skin reaction. If a reaction is seen, then the dog is likely allergic to the allergen that was injected at that site.
It is important to note that the allergy (blood) testing and the intradermal testing are not performed to provide a diagnosis of seasonal allergies. Rather, they are used to aid in creating immunotherapy treatment for a dog that has been diagnosed with seasonal allergies. The goal with immunotherapy is to desensitize a dog to the environmental allergens that trigger the allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy is usually given long-term at a maintenance dose.
It is difficult to limit a dog’s exposure to certain allergens. Pollen from trees, grass, or weeds can be tracked into the house easily. Wiping a pup’s paws when they come inside can sometimes be helpful.
Recovery and Management of Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
Seasonal allergies are not only frustrating for dogs but also for pet parents, because they are not curable. Fortunately, though, with seasonal allergies, symptoms can be managed by knowing what seasons trigger a dog’s symptoms and initiating treatment prior to the start of each allergy season. Anti-itch medication should manage the itch throughout each season so that the dog is not scratching, licking, or chewing at the skin, which can lead to secondary skin infections.
Cleaning your dog’s ears every two to three weeks year-round with a routine ear cleaner is important to minimize the risk of an ear infection to develop. The ears should also be cleaned after your dog has a bath or partakes in a water activity, such as swimming, to remove any water from within the ear canals. Giving an omega-3 fatty acid supplement daily year-round can provide skin support as well. Management of seasonal allergies is usually lifelong unless a dog is able to move to an area where the allergen that is causing the reaction is no longer present.
Monitor your pet for the following symptoms throughout the year:
- Itchiness (scratching, licking, gnawing, chewing)
- Head shaking or pawing at the ears or eyes
- Any skin lesions (such as redness, crusts, thickened or black pigmented skin)
- Odor to the skin or ears
If you see any of these symptoms, schedule a vet appointment as soon as possible. Your dog’s skin condition can worsen quickly if allergy symptoms are not controlled. If your dog is licking or chewing, have them wear an e-collar until the appointment to prevent further worsening of the skin. Your veterinarian will prescribe treatment to make your dog more comfortable and treat for any skin or ear infection, if present. Managing a dog’s allergy symptoms with therapy and reporting to your veterinarian any skin issues as they arise are the most effective ways to help a dog with seasonal allergies.
***
ACB Soaring to New Heights
by Janet Dickelman
( The ACB Braille Forum, Volume LXIV • February 2026 • No. 6)
The 2026 American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention theme is Soaring to New Heights! The theme was developed by the Convention Steering Committee.
Virtual Convention Dates- The following is a list of events that will be held virtually prior to the in-person portion of the convention.
Wednesday, July 8, 7 p.m.: Candidates’ Forum
Saturday, July 11: Summer auction, preceded by two days of appetizer auction!
Monday, July 13, 7 p.m.: Call to order, reading of standing rules, first credentials report, and other ACB business. Followed by nominating committee.
Tuesday, July 14 through Thursday, July 16 (evenings): Resolutions will be read and discussed.
Wednesday, July 15: Virtual exhibitor open house followed by mock election.
Thursday, July 16 through Saturday, July 18: Virtual-only programming; including affiliate business meetings, ACB committee, special-interest affiliate and business partner sessions
Friday, July 17th (evening): Discussion of constitution and bylaw amendments
Monday, July 20: Voting on resolutions and constitution and bylaw amendments.
In-Person Convention Information
On Friday, July 24, ACB will hold a board meeting, and the Missouri host committee will host a welcome party.
Committees, special-interest affiliates and business partners will hold events in Saint Louis Saturday, July 25 through Wednesday, July 29. We will have 2 hybrid rooms, and provide space for other sessions that are in-person only. In-person only sessions (excluding mixers and other purely social events) can be recorded by ACB and will be available as podcasts, but they will not have Zoom capability.
General Sessions
This year’s opening general session will be held on Saturday, July 25 at 7 p.m.
On Sunday morning we will host four sessions. We are still working on setting them. There will be something for everyone!
Daily general sessions will be held Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 to noon, and Thursday from 8:30 to 2 p.m. Our banquet will be held Thursday evening.
Exhibit Hall- Exhibit hall hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hotel Details
Room rates at the Hyatt are $104 single or double, $129 triple or $154 quad, plus applicable state and local taxes (currently 17.92%). To make reservations online, go to
https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/STLRS/G-ACBL.
If you prefer to make your reservations by telephone, please call central reservations at
(888) 591-1234. Make sure to let them know you are reserving a room at the Hyatt St. Louis Arch at 315 Chestnut Street and use group code G-ACBL.
Room Amenities
All sleeping rooms have safes, ironing boards, refrigerators and K-cup coffee makers. The hotel has a 24-hour fitness center. It does not have a pool.
There are no guest washers and dryers. There is a dry-cleaning service.
The hotel is cashless; any purchases must be made with a credit or debit card.
Staying in Touch- The convention announce list will be filled with information. To subscribe to the list, send a blank e-mail to acbconvention+subscribe@acblists.org.
If you received updates for the 2025 convention, you do not need to subscribe to the list.
For any convention-related questions please contact Janet Dickelman, convention chair,
(651) 428-5059
***
Information for Registration for the 2026 American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention.
- Registration opens for ACB members on Thursday, May 28, at 7:00 AM central time. The cost will be $55.00
- Registration opens for non-ACB members on June 4; the cost is $70.00.
- If you are not currently an ACB member you can join as a member at large for $10.00; you would then be able to register on May 28th for $55.00.
- Registration will close on Monday, July 6 at 11:59 PM central time.
- You may also register during the convention; member registration is $75; nonmember registration is $90.00
***
Convention Information — Paratransit Certification
Here is all you’ll need to know to request Paratransit eligibility in St Louis.
- In order to receive visitors/temporary eligibility while here, the individual needs to be registered with their Paratransit Service in their home city.
- If they are registered to receive Paratransit in their home city, they simply need to have that agency fax 314-335-3419, a copy of their eligibility (start date, end date, if they require a mobility device/service animal). Also, include the dates they will be in town and the address of the hotel where they will be staying. I suggest that they start a day before they actually need it and extend it a day or two after they will leave, in case there are any emergencies and they stay longer than expected.
- Once they know their information has been sent over, then they can call 314-982-1510 and confirm that we have received everything and don’t need further information.
- I would strongly urge them to have things submitted a minimum of two weeks prior to coming, but you can do it as far out as they want. The sooner, the better.
- Once the individual has submitted and confirmed their eligibility with BiState, they can book trips out a maximum of three days and a minimum of one day prior to 5pm. Reservations phone number is 314-982-1505 and press option 3 to schedule rides and option 2 to check on already scheduled rides.
***
Below, You Will Find a Listing of the Tours That Will Be Offered During the 2026 American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention, Including Departure Times and Pricing. Where There is Only ONE Price Shown You Are Not Able to Purchase the Tour After Registration Closes. Return Times Are Approximate, and Subject to Traffic and Other Variables.
A huge thank-you to Microsoft for their generous diamond sponsorship of the conference and convention announcements.
Friday July 24
9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, History Museum $75
The 1904 World’s Fair Exhibit:
In 1904, the world turned its attention to St. Louis. The planners of the 1904 World’s Fair organized what was known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition to commemorate the 1803 land deal that doubled the size of the United States. But the Fair was so much more. It was an amusement park, a laboratory, a workplace, a stadium, and a place where America’s imperial ambitions were laid bare.
In the years since it closed, the Fair has taken on an almost mythic significance. Some celebrate the Fair for how it changed the city and brought millions of people to St. Louis. Others decry it as a monument to white supremacy and a prison for the hundreds of people who were put on display within its gates. Both viewpoints are valid. The Fair was grand. The Fair was shameful. The Fair was full of fun. The Fair was full of indignity. These realities cannot be separated from one another because the event encompassed all of them.
*Collected Exhibit:
Collected is St. Louis’s history brought to life, one map, toy, T-shirt, and painting at a time.
For more than 150 years, St. Louisans have entrusted the Missouri Historical Society with countless objects—photographs, diaries, home movies, clothing, books—items that future generations can turn to in order to help make sense of the past.
Some of these pieces mark defining moments in our region’s history, such as Missouri’s pivotal role in a heated national debate over slavery or the transatlantic flight that changed aviation. Others reflect everyday life, from what we wore and ate to how we worked and played.
Indigenous peoples built thriving civilizations throughout the St. Louis area. America’s first city was built long before the land was colonized by European settlers. The Mississippians prospered from 800 ce to the late 1400s, and their descendants continued to prosper and develop for centuries, manifesting as many of the Tribal Nations we know today. During the 1800s many people—including relic hunters, archaeologists, and farmers—dug up human remains and cultural heritage in and around St. Louis. Some of these came from sacred ceremonial and burial sites such as mounds.
From the late 19th to mid-20th centuries, the Missouri Historical Society actively collected nearly 10,000 archaeological pieces of cultural heritage.
*History Clubhouse:
Learning history is a hands-on experience at the History Clubhouse, an interactive space specially designed for children and their families. Start by exploring downtown St. Louis, complete with re-creations of iconic buildings that stand up to 15 feet tall. Then take a trolley ride back in time to serve food at a café during the 1904 World’s Fair, pilot a steamboat on the Mississippi River, and play in the ancient city of Cahokia. Dress up in period costumes, put on a puppet show, fish over the edge of a canoe, and so much more, all while experiencing local history.
6:30 to 10:00 PM, Mississippi Riverboat Dinner Cruise $110
Enjoy a plated dinner while cruising the mighty Mississippi! sit indoors or on the deck, purchase a cool drink from the cash bar, and enjoy some music!
All meals include- Salad, Slice of Cheesecake with strawberry puree sauce, coffee, tea and water. Soft drinks, juice and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on board. You will select your Entrée on the registration form, choose from-
*Grilled chicken breast topped with an herb sauce served with roasted potato, onion and pepper medley and buttery garlic green beans
*Grilled shrimp served on a bed of fettucine pasta tossed in a creamy Alfredo sauce served with a side of buttery garlic green beans
*filet steak topped with a red wine demi glaze served with roasted potato, onion and pepper medley and buttery garlic green beans (All steaks are cooked to medium; no special orders)
*Vegetarian, Roasted potatoes, onions and peppers served on a bed of quinoa and sautéed spinach topped with roasted red bell pepper sauce
Saturday July 25
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Grant’s Farm, $150
AN historic attraction where wildlife, history, and family fun come together. Originally owned by Ulysses S. Grant and now operated by the Busch family. Get up close with the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, and enjoy a scenic tram ride through Deer Park—home to bison, elk, llama, and other exotic animals. We’ll have several opportunities for personalized animal encounters, lunch and a free beer. The farm has a great gift shop.
9:30 to 11:30 AM, City Bus Tour I $25 ($30)
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the history, architecture, and food of our host city from the comfort of a tour bus.
We had a chance to visit with our step-on guide Wayne last fall, he is very informative, engaging, and a great storyteller.
1:00 to 3:00 PM, City Bus Tour II $25 ($30)
(see description for City bus Tour I)
Sunday, July 26
8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Museum of Transportation $75
“Since our founding in 1944, our museum and staff have worked to curate the largest collection of its kind in the world. Today, our mission is to be the leader in protecting and interpreting North America’s
station heritage.”
You will climb in to numerous train cars, from sleepers, dining cars engines cabooses and passenger cars. In addition, you’ll see many classic cars and a few airplanes along the way. Lunch will be included.
This tour involves a lot of walking and steps to get in and out of exhibits. If you have difficulty with either of these things this is not the tour for you. There are not many places to stop and take a rest.
9:00 to 11:00 AM, City Bus Tour III $25 ($30)
(see description for City bus Tour I)
12:30 to 2:30 PM, City Bus Tour IV $25 ($30)
(see description for City bus Tour I)
4:00 to 9:00 PM, Pappy’s Barbarque and beer tasting $115
Pappy’s is a St Louis institution where you will enjoy an array of meats and side dishes.
St Louis is also famous for its beer production, we’ll stop by a few breweries to taste some of the best offerings.
Monday, July 27
12:30 PM to 4:15 PM, World of Chess Hall of Fame $35 ($40)
“Discover the Magic of Chess
Where Strategy Meets Legacy
We invite everyone, from absolute beginners to experts, to explore the captivating world of chess. Discover the rich history, fascinating strategy, and vibrant culture of the game through stunning art and history exhibits and engaging educational programs. Our interactive displays make learning about chess exciting and accessible. Explore, be inspired, and see how this timeless game connects to so much more!”
5:00 to 11:15 PM, The Muni Theatre $130
at this out-door amphitheater we will be treated to an audio described performance of Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations. Prior to the performance we will have a back stage tour and meal.
Tuesday, July 28
12:00 to 4:30 PM, Missouri School for the Blind $35 $40
This historic school initially opened in 1865. Today it is a modern and thriving school. Visit the track, the gymnasium, the auditorium, classrooms, the library, and student dorms.
12:15 PM to 3:30 PM, St Louis Arch $30 ($35)
its history. Spend time in the arch museum,
experience audio-described exhibits, and view a film about the building of the arch.
Note: This tour has a minimum of 80 steps and is not wheelchair- or walker-accessible. You will take a very small tram to the top of the Arch which is included in the tour. There are no seats for resting, you must be able to fully participate in the entire tour.
5:30 to 9:45 PM, Blueberry Hill Restaurant $62 ($67)
Yes you will have dinner plus a tour of numerous display cases filled with music and pop-culture memorabilia.
Wednesday, July 28
12:30 to 2:30 PM, Candy tour one
Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate $30 ($35)
The name says it all, but there is so much more! Learn about candy making, see candy molds, huge candy kettles and mixers, try samples and of course purchase lots of candy!
12:30 to 4:30 PM, Jefferson Berricks Telephone Museum $30 ($35)
The Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum is housed in a beautifully restored 1896 building and features an extensive collection of telephones, telephone-related equipment and memorabilia. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is home to:
*A working Central Office Step Switch.
*Operator switchboards from the 1920s, 1940s and 1960s.
*Hundreds of telephones from the late 1880s through the 2010s.
*Hundreds of pieces of telephone-related memorabilia from the 1900s through the 2010s.
*Military telephones from WWI through the Gulf War.
*Hundreds of pieces of telephone-related equipment and tools.
*A telephone pole complete with climbing equipment.
*A large variety of novelty telephones.
*A statue of Alexander Graham Bell and replicas of his 1876 Liquid Transmitter and 1877 First Commercial Telephone.
*There is also a gift shop with lots of telephone related items!
1:30 to 3:30 PM, candy tour II
Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate $30 ($35)
The name says it all, but there is so much more! Learn about candy making, see candy molds, huge candy kettles and mixers, try samples and of course purchase lots of candy!
6:30 PM, Take me out to the Ball game! $75 ($80.
This is your opportunity to see the St louis Cardinals play the Chicago Cubs, one of the biggest rivalries in baseball!
Your ticket does not include a meal but there will be plenty of places to purchase your favorite ballpark food!
Friday, July 31
7:30 AM to 7:30 PM, Amish Tour $130
Visit the Heritage Center, a family-owned buggy shop and bakery, a furniture store, see amazing handmade quilts and visit an art gallery with so much more than paintings. If you are lucky Jerry will play the piano and serenade you at the gallery.
Visit the home of Amish families for a sumptuous lunch where everything is Homemade. Feast on meats, numerous side dishes, vegetables fresh from the garden, and of course indulge in desserts!
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Soaring to Success: Apply Now to Be an ACB Scholarship Mentor
by Amanda Selm, ACB Scholarship Committee Chair
(The ACB Braille Forum- Volume LXIV • April 2026 • No. 8)
We have seen the power of mentorship in the American Council of the Blind over the past several years. Mentorship has the ability to change the trajectory of an individual’s journey, whether that be leadership-focused, career-oriented, or through creating a welcoming experience to someone brand new in a place that seems like home to many. The relationship between a Mentor and Mentee is a powerful one.
The ACB Scholarship Committee is excited to announce the return of the Scholarship Mentoring Program with a fun title, Soaring to Success. As we followed up after last year’s program, we saw a slight increase in involvement within our 2025 ACB scholarship winners. Several reported that they kept in touch with their mentors, and others explored involvement within ACB affiliates. When Denise Colley and Patty Slaby launched this program last year, they began a wonderful tradition, which jumpstarted many thoughts on how we can work as an organization to engage these intelligent and energetic individuals.
The ACB Scholarship Committee is seeking 21 ACB members to serve as a mentor to an ACB scholarship winner. The application period will run from April 1 through May 1. Anyone considering applying to be a mentor must commit to attending the 2026 ACB Conference and Convention in Saint Louis during the same time frame as our ACB scholarship winners. The 2026 class of ACB scholarship winners will be required to arrive in Saint Louis in time for their first event on Friday, July 24 and stay through Monday, July 27. Mentors will need to attend a Scholarship Mentor Orientation Session in May, a Meet and Greet Session with their assigned scholarship winner in June, and meet with their assigned scholarship winner via phone at least twice prior to arrival in Saint Louis. There will also be a Convention Prep Session for both ACB scholarship winners and mentors in July prior to the virtual week. Required convention events for both ACB scholarship winners and their mentors will be shared once the scholarship committee finalizes this list. Following the ACB conference and convention, mentors will be expected to continue reaching out to their assigned ACB scholarship winner via phone, and attend our celebration event.
If you are interested in being a mentor to an ACB scholarship winner, there will be a form for you to complete. The Scholarship Mentor Form will be distributed via our ACB email lists. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Amanda Selm, ACB Scholarship Committee Chair, at amandaselm@outlook.com.
We look forward to receiving applications from our ACB Family and “Soaring to Success” this summer. “Together everyone achieves more.” — Dan Spoone
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Get Up & Get Moving Presents: Walk to St. Louis! March 6 – July 6, 2026
(Dots and Dashes March 16, 2026)
Ready to jump-start your fitness journey or keep your momentum going with some fun, friendly competition? The Get Up and Get Moving Committee of ACB invites you to join our Walk to St. Louis Challenge! Lace up, step out, and let your story unfold one stride at a time.
We want to hear about your journey: your miles, your motivations, and your discoveries along the way. Whether you’re strolling through your neighborhood or trekking an imaginary route across the country, every step counts. You may enter as an individual or as an affiliate.
Prizes
We’re awarding two $50 Visa gift cards:
- One to a virtual participant or affiliate
- One to an in-person attendee or affiliate at the 2026 ACB Convention
Individuals or affiliates have a chance to win, whether you’re new to fitness or already a seasoned stepper.
Judging Criteria
Winning entries will be chosen based on:
- Consistency: walking every day or nearly every day
- Creative storytelling: bring your journey to life by describing the “landmarks” you’d encounter on your imaginary walk to St. Louis
- Distance walked
How to Enter
Send an email to gugm@mail.acb.org anytime between March 6 and July 6, 2026, and share your fitness journey during that period. Tell us your story, your progress, and the moments that keep you moving.
Deadline: All entries must be received by July 6, 2026.
Take the challenge. Share your story. Walk to St. Louis!
Winners will be announced at the ACB Walk on Monday, July 27, 2026!
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IMPORTANT Editor’s note-Content for GDUI News You Can Use is culled from a variety of sources; Hence inclusion herein does not imply GDUI endorses, supports or verifies said 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
Paws for GDUI News You Can Use
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