[nagdu] Accommodations specific to guide dog teams

Tue Mar 30 04:33:45 UTC 2010

The thing about a smaller town or a somewhat self-contained neighborhood
that is great as compensation for your being the only guide dog use they
ever see is that they *do* see you all the time, so Monty's presence is
probably not a big shocking deal except for people who want it to be.
/smile/  For me, not only did my near central neighborhood have that sort of
community flavor, but most of the people worked in or near downtown and
frequented the place a lot, so they saw GDB teams training on a regular
basis.

That's not so true out here, so I have heard children run scream at the
transit center as I walk across.  I check my hair to make sure that's not
what they're screaming about and then take 5 minutes to realize I had
hearing the word dog in the shrieks.  /lol/  Oh, that would be Mitzi, the
vicious killer poodle.  I haven't had an issue with who stays and who goes,
because by the doppler sffect there is no doubt that they are going very,
very quickly.  Strange, very strange, but if it's what works for them...

I still will find myself surprised by little things when I go beyond my
usual haunts in this neighborhood, especially if we head further out of
Portland than closer in.  I dimly remember noticing some the same stuff here
at first in "our" stores or restaurants or whatever.  I just didn't notice
when they faded away because the black poodle in the red harness was now a
familiar part of the environment.

Just to shake things up a bit, I will go out with poodle when I do visit La
Grande and get entirely different types of reaction because the people know
me and my cane -- or at least the person I'm with -- but the dog is clearly
confusing to them because she doesn't belong but is with nonstrangers.  They
don't do anything weird or obnoxious, but somehow their way of approaching
me is different in some one than what I have become used to.

Even in that very, very small town, where everybody knows everybody sort of
by decree, I will be surprised to have someone whose voice I can't quite
place ask some polite questions about Mitzi, then say, "Well, I remember
your cane..."  Identity crisis, anyone?  /lol/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie J
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 5:22 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Accommodations specific to guide dog teams

Jewel,

Great questions!

There are no busses where I live.  However, my general rule of thumb is that

in a public place where I have every right to be there, I will stay and the 
person with the issues can figure out their own problems. I'm not sure if 
it's where I live or just dumb luck, but I have never encountered an 
incident like this.  I have never been asked to leave either.

In a restroom I will use the large stall if that's appropriate.  Meaning if 
there are others who need it and don't have a choice of a different stall 
then I'll use a smaller one.  Again in my tiny town there are only a handful

of people in wheelchairs and most are men.

I have a rug under my desk at work for Monty.  I don't think that really 
counts as an accommodation, but thought I'd toss it out anyway.  I like that

I can take it home every now and then and wash it.  It keeps hair and excess

dirt from his feet from getting all over the carpet.   I have to request my 
office to be vacuumed and the cleaning lady is not the most pleasant or 
cooperative person on the planet, so I opt for the rug. *smile*

Oh, at a restaurant I ask for a table next to a corner or wall  if it's 
possible.  It's easier to keep the dog out of the way if there's at least 
one side that has no traffic.

Some guide dog handlers choose not to use escalators.  I, personally, have 
in the past and don't have a problem with them.  Again escalators are not 
something I have in my home town, so I only teach that to my dog if I think 
we will need it.  Belle could do them with no problem.  I haven't taught 
Monty at this point.

In my experience  the presence of the dog is the main thing.  If people 
accept him into the building or wherever I can manage the rest of what he 
and I need.

Julie

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jewel S." <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 9:19 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Accommodations specific to guide dog teams

> We have talked about APPS, quiet cars, and the white cane laws. All of
> these are important for blind people in general. I am curious now,
> what sorts of accommodations do guide dog teams specifically feel are
> important?
>
> I have seen the need for a "relief area" in airports, at hotels, and
> the like. What other accommodations do guide dog teams use
> specifically? Do you have any trouble walking in certain areas with
> your guide dog? What about using the restroom (do you use the large
> stall so your dog can come in, too?) On the bus, do you ever need to
> ask for an accommodation because there is no under-space? If someone
> on the bus doesn't like your dog being there, do you require the
> accommodation of being allowed to remain on, or do you just get off if
> they go crazy about it?
>
> I know this a broad topic, but I would love to see people's thoughts.
> What would you like to see? It doesn't have to be something already in
> place or already being fought for. What do *you* want/need?
>
> Hoping for a better conversation (and some education),
> Jewel
>
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