Holistic accessibility consulting for travel and tourism
If you are curious about the work involved in tandem with a guide dog, I would ask that you take a seat. I wish to explain my story—the lessons I’ve learned, the passions I’ve pursued, and the hurdles I’ve had to overcome. It’s quite intimate, and while no story is identical, I hope it connects with you in some fashion.
We are very familiar with the phrase, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind,” but did you know that some eyes can be the eyes of a blind person?
Guide dogs can exceptionally assist visually impaired people. They help people without sight navigate the world through their eyes and senses, but this characteristic doesn’t occur overnight.
Leave a CommentDo you know that paws on the pavement, while a hand is holding the harness, can help someone conquer the world? If not, you haven’t been introduced to the guide dogs yet.
Guide dogs are known to be the most faithful and trustworthy companions. They help their visually impaired owners with mobility, safety, and independence. These furry friends can undergo the most challenging training, create bonds with their owners, and change their lives forever. First, here are 10 things that everyone needs to know about guide dogs.
Leave a CommentI 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 sport and do it independently with a guide dog. The white cane is not for running, it is simply dangerous.
One could ask, why not just run with a regular guide dog? After all dogs enjoy running. This is why it is not possible: a guide dog by default is trained to recognize and avoid obstacles at a walking speed. When one would run with a guide dog, practically it would ask the dog to do something she has never been trained to do. It would be confusing for the dog and dangerous for the blind person. During the training program, Guiding Eyes does ask dog handlers not to run with their dogs while guiding, unless the dog has been specifically trained for that. By default, Guiding Eyes does not train running guides, but anybody can request one.
Leave a CommentI 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 my fair share of difficulties to arrange trips with Baldwin, but nothing like Eric had to go through.
Eric lives in Brattleboro VT near Massachusetts and New Hampshire. This is about a 2 hour drive from Boston. He lives there with his wife Heidi, current guide dog Becky, retired guide Ryan, an African Grey Parrot and a Tuxedo cat.
I attended a conference in Las Vegas which was one of the most typical experiences from the accessibility point of view. Most of the challenges were familiar, and usually I wouldn’t even think about them. However, this time I took note on everything that maybe a challenge, and I will take you through it. I will explain the accessibility problem, and will provide a solution if it is available.
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Hi, my name is Baldwin. My human, Tom, asked me to talk a bit about the work of a guide dog. I’m glad he did, because what does he know about being a dog anyway?
A little bit about me, I was born in New York state, at Guiding Eyes for the Blind. That’s where thousands of guide dogs are born. After a couple of months, I moved to Virginia to be with a puppy raiser family. I spent a year with them, they taught me how to behave. Tom says they did good. They loved me so much, they even write for my birthday every year.
Leave a CommentTraveling by car is definitely much less complicated than buses and trains, but it does have the cost factor to consider. However, in some countries, like the United States, public transportation sometimes may not be available or it is so scarce that paying for a car ride maybe the only option.
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