[nagdu] The Process of Getting a Guide

[Jenine Stanley]

Rebecca asked what schools do if someone doesn't have access to an O&M
instructor or way to prove on paper that they have sufficient O&M skills. 


I can only speak for the Guide Dog Foundation, but we will try to get enough
video evidence of that person's mobility to make judgments on suitability
for a dog. We know it's tough to find an O&M instructor to do evaluations
and if you haven't had or needed one in years, it's next to impossible. This
is where a well-done video can really help. 


We ask people to include things like independent street crossings where we
can see them judging traffic, at several different intersections if
possible. We want to see them walking along blocks where they will walk with
a dog. Cane technique isn't as important as whether the person can tell us
where they are and how to get to where they want to go. 

If we do have additional questions or concerns, we will ask the person to
try to obtain O&M services. This is true even if the person has had dogs
before. We all change as we age and sometimes we do acquire additional
disabilities that can affect our mobility. 
Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com
http://www.twitter.com/jeninems


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 11:50 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] The Process of Getting a Guide

        Bibi makes a great point re mobility.
We're all here meaning that however we learned it, we do manage to get
around.
What do the schools do if someone wants a dog but can't prove via paperwork
that they can navigate safely?

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Criminal Justice Major
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2012 12:13 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] The Process of Getting a Guide

I've been trying to go through that process of getting O&M refresher through
Denver Vocational Rehabilitation here in denver, Colorado.
No, I didn't get anywhere at all, despite filling out paperwork with an O&M
teacher in January, 2012.
That same teacher ended up having another baby last month and from that time
on despite me contacting my rehab counselor, I never got any calls or emails
from her.
I was originally going to do O&M in the hopes that GDF would reconsider me
to go through training there as they turned me down last year: claiming I
needed more mobility skills.
Main reason for wanting to go through GDF is to have a guide dog trained to
not only be a guide, but being able to guide me while I do have to use a
support cane or walker on the days when I don't have the physical strength
due to arthritis or having a seizure happen.
I'd also like to be able to have the dog still be able to guide while I
would have to use a power chair.
Since I haven't gotten anywhere with DVR, I figure it was best for me to
just go train with another guide dog through Pilot Dogs.
I definitely understand that mobility is important, but what if a blind
individual doesn't have a rehab case, then what are they supposed to do from
there?
Truth is that there are a lot of other visually impaired individuals who
aren't able to get Vocational Rehab to help them out and even with filling
out the necessary paperwork, a person would either end up on a waiting list
for probably a year or not be taken in.
Yes, I'm aware that SEGDI (Southeastern Guide Dogs Incorporated) does
wheelchair training, but I'm way out of their bounds for any follow up.
TSE (The Seeing Eye) will do wheelchair training, but I would have already
had to be a graduate in order to receive the training.
GDB (Guide Dogs for the Blind) is doing  wheelchair guide do training, but
I'd still would like to know more.
A grad is willing to talk to me more on a handler she knows who did go
through training there, but I just haven't had a chance to contact her
personally as of yet.
No, Pilot doesn't do any wheelchair training and I don't think they would
plan on going that route either.
So, I'd have to teach the next dog myself directly.
Back to the mobility thing...
I do have an outtpaitient therapist from Denver Health Medical who is
willing to help me deal with contacting my rehab counselor and I admitted to
her it was better that she'd end up speaking with my rehab counselor on my
behalf so I won't stress that bad.
Well, I guess I'll end right here and hide out underneath my quiet rock
again.
Bibi
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