[Blind-rollers] New Member and Question

[Jewel S.]

Actually, GDF in this case stands for Guide Dog Foundation, a guide
dog school in Long Island, New York, different from Guide Dogs for the
Blind (GDB).

Yes, the local O&M people are useless when it comes to blind people
with physical disabilities. I asked about using a wheelchair, and the
instructor said to avoid it, because he couldn't think of how in the
world I could use my cane from a wheelchair...I know some people do
it, so there is a way, but he's clueless, and so is the other.  Grrr.
Definitely going to go elsewhere if I need O&M with a wheelchair...if
I start using a wheelchair even part-time, I will definitely need the
training.

I thought our state's maximum of 15 weeks was bad! How can you learn
anything of much use in six weeks? That's absolutely ridiculous! Is
there no long-term training centers in the UK, like the NFB centers
here in the U.S., which do 6 month to 9 month periods of training?

On 8/8/10, Sasha Ayres <sashaallears at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>
> Hello Jewel,
>
> I am sorry I don't have any suggestions of how you can carry your bag and
> use a support cane in one hand and white cane in the other. It'd be nice to
> have an extra hand or two wouldn't it? :)
>
> I understand your reluctance to use a wheelchair but it can be a liberating
> experience! Carrying heavy things in a power wheelchair is a breeze and you
> don't have to worry about whether somewhere is too far for you to walk.
>
> I use a cane and a Miniguide from my power chair. O&M from a wheelchair is
> different but it isn't too hard. Like Erica, I am in the UK and couldn't get
> any training so have had to work it out for myself, which isn't ideal but
> I've done it.
>
> If you could go to the Louisiana centre that would be great for you. I hear
> so much about it and it sounds excellent.
>
> I am sorry I can't help more but wish you good luck!
>
> Sasha
>
>
>
>
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-- 
~Jewel
Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com