I will never forget how much more freedom I experienced all of a sudden when I got my guide dog, Baldwin from guiding eyes for the Blind. That was approximately the time when Guiding Eyes started to train running guides. This means that a blind or visually impaired person can take up running as a..
Travel Visions Aloha, adventures for the blind
The other day I came across a new article about Travel Visions Aloha for the Blind, which is an organization providing adventures and experiences for blind people, at the moment primarily in Hawaii. Though there are some similar organizations around the world, definitely not too many, so I contacted the owner, Marri Murdoch to learn..
Gift ideas for blind travelers
This guide is intended to help you to buy thoughtful gifts for blind travelers, though most recommendations can just as easily be used at home. I am personally familiar with all of the items I recommend, and use most of them on a regular basis. (more…)
Why do drive-through ATMs have braille?
Drive-through ATMs with Braille buttons have long perplexed many, giving rise to questions, jokes, and urban legends. After all, blind individuals don't drive, so why would there be Braille on machines explicitly designed for drivers? As it turns out, the presence of Braille is based on a combination of practical, legal, and manufacturing reasons. This..
Accessible Ohio, Making Ohio Destinations More Inclusive to All
Recently I have come across a program in Ohio, which may fundamentally change what it means to create accessible travel and tourism in a state. Accessible Ohio has the potential to impact accessible experiences for people with disabilities by educating and consulting with companies who would like to make their services more accessible and inclusive...
ChatGPT helps blind people in travel planning
I was curious if ChatGPT has any ways to help with travel planning that I couldn’t do with any other tools, so I put it to the test. I tried a few things where I had challenges previously, and overall it was able to help me in two specific ways: finding more efficient ways to..
Trip report to Scotland with a guide dog
I recently read a post on a mailing list from Eric Caron, who explained the difficulties of traveling with a guide dog to Scotland. He wrote about the days of travel arrangements, paperwork, and expenses. I asked Eric if he would be willing to share his story with you. I have to say I had..
What’s in a zoo for blind people?
A zoo is generally a visual experience, and by default there are many things blind people cannot enjoy. However, there are many ways zoos can be made an enjoyable experience for blind people. These are not specific to blind people, rather, things which can be enjoyed to all visitors. (more…)
Specialized or mainstream vacations for blind people
There are some vacation experiences which are designed specifically for blind people, keeping all requirements and accessibility needs in mind. This is where people don’t have to worry if their accessibility needs will be met for the entire duration of their stay. However, only a few of such experiences exist. Opportunities are practically endless when..
Remembering trips
Previously I discussed that for blind people sometimes the only way to experience something is to get on the road and touch it. But there is a difficulty with this. While sighted people can take photos and videos, for us it maybe a chance of a lifetime and the only thing we can do is..