[nagdu] No mailRe: partial vision, white canes and guide dog use

Tue Jan 31 19:50:46 UTC 2012

Hey,
, sorry to clutter the list with this, but I don't know how to put my
subscription on nomail and I need to do it because I'm going out of town.

Thanks in advance for all the help  and I wish you all the best on this
beautiful Tuesday.

Dan and the Carter Dog

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Cindy Ray
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 2:16 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: No mailRe: [nagdu] partial vision, white canes and guide dog use

Pretty much (in many areas anyway) all are taught the cane to a greater or
lesser degree. At least that seems to be my observation.

On Jan 31, 2012, at 12:50 PM, Lyn Gwizdak wrote:

> Hi Julie J,
> I am one of those people who has some vision - enough to be dangerous!
LOL! During the 1950s and 60s, those of us with some vision weren't taught
Braille or mobility with a white cane.  The TOTALS weren't even taught how
to use a cane!  But they did get Braille.  Is this still the case now?
> 
> My vision is tunnel vision and in good light, I can see fairly decently
through that tiny straw-sized field.  Obviously I miss a hell of alot!  I
also can't tell steps or curbs by vision but can sometimes use shadows to
tell steps or curbs - mainly in places I know.  I have no night vision at
all.
> 
> I feel more relaxed using my dog over the cane; although I can do fine
with the cane.  With the dog, Landon sees the important things for safe
travel while I can use my vision to see some landmarks or to look at
something other than my feet and where I'm putting them.  Walking straight
upright with head up is better and won't attract the people who would want
to bother you on the street.  They look for inattentive people with their
heads looking down to pester.
> 
> As far as Braille goes, I've tried to learn it a few times as an adult.  I
find that I don't have the sensitivity in my fingers to decern the dots
properly.  I can still read most print with my magnifying glasses and am so
happy about that so I can read the LGBT books I want as well as the other
political ones I find that NLS for the Blind wouldn't touch with a ten foot
pole! LOL!
> 
> When I took cane travel lessons in the 1970s, I took it under blindfold
and I fouond this VERY useful and am glad the NFB centers teach this that
way. You really do pick up on stuff that vision tends to overpower.  Like
the fact that roads slope slightly as you leave the curb, cross and approach
the opposite curb with the street at a hump at the center of the crossing.
> 
> I make my dogs go to the curbs and work as if I had no sight so he works
just as well at night when I have no vision with the exception of the
traffic signals and streetlights and the lighted signs on businesses.
Everything else is black.  But landon sees quite well in light or dark.
> 
> Lyn and Landon
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 5:55 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
> 
> 
>> Robert,
>> 
>> I think that any blind person who wishes to improve their skills, options
and to better themselves should be given that opportunity.  By blind person,
I mean any individual whose vision is so impaired that it requires use of
alternative techniques of daily living.
>> 
>> There are loads of blind people that are told they have enough vision to
read standard print.  It doesn't seem to matter if they can only read that
standard print in certain light sources, or in certain color combination, at
the rate of 10 words per minute or for only 10 minutes at a time.  They are
encouraged to use their vision at the expense of all else.  It doesn't seem
to matter that Braille would be faster, less stressful and doesn't cause
headaches.
>> 
>> The same goes for orientation and mobility.  Lots of blind people are
coached to only use a cane in certain situations or not at all, relying on
their vision.  It doesn't seem to be a problem if these same individuals
can't go out after dark because of their particular visual condition.  Or
perhaps they have to stop in the doorway of the movie theater for a few
minutes so their eyes can adjust.  The people behind them won't mind, I'm
sure.  It won't be stressful or embarrassing to be trying to follow someone
and miss stepping over a curb because all their available vision was being
used in the other task.    I'm sure it's perfectly acceptable to be
continually scanning the environment for obstacles, nervous that you will
miss something.
>> 
>> I used to be one of these people.  Most of my remaining vision is gone
now, but I very clearly remember the days when accepting an invitation to a
friend's home, out to dinner or a movie was contingent on a long list of
things...what time of the day would it be when the movie is over, are there
steps, have I been there before, do I already know what's on the menu and on
and on.   My life dramatically improved when I got my first cane and learned
Braille as an adult.  Suddenly I didn't have to have an anxiety induced
meltdown when I needed to take a night class at college. I could go to
restaurants that I hadn't been to before.  I could actually read the notes I
had taken in class.
>> 
>> I also believe that both a long white cane and a guide dog are equally
respectable mobility options.  Both offer blind people the ability to move
about their environment safely and conveniently.  Both have advantages and
disadvantages.  I don't believe that one is better than the other.  Of
course individuals have their preferences, but to say that chocolate is
better and everyone must give up strawberry is pretty judgmental and I think
should be avoided.
>> 
>> Why then would we want to take away an opportunity for some blind people?
It seems that the answer to this question can only be answered in one way.
We must view people with less vision as less capable and the guide dog as a
superior mobility tool, making it the preferred method of mobility for the
lower functioning among us.
>> 
>> I don't think vision has anything to do with the potential of an
individual.  I think attitude and knowledge are the factors that determine
success in this world.
>> 
>> I'd love to hear others thoughts on this issue, level of vision and using
a guide dog.
>> 
>> Julie
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
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