[nagdu] Blindfolds During Training for Those Who Have Some Vision

[Jenine Stanley]

Marion, 

Just a note about "facial vision" or echo location. 

This skill does indeed utilize the entire head and sometimes shoulders in
processing information. The proprioceptive system is what does the
processing. The bones of one's face, as well as the sound coming in through
the ears, help localize echoes. 

I have very little light perception in my left eye now and no vision in the
right eye. I rely on echo location a good bit and have to be very selective
about what glasses I choose if wearing them. Anything close to my face, even
the brim of a hat, can radically change the echo location.

You can test this yourself by placing something in your ears to muffle
sound. Then have someone walk up beside you and wave a hand close to your
upper body and head. Chances are good that if you use this skill often, even
in background processing, you will feel a change as the hand comes close to
your body, something beyond normal hearing. 

Yes, people can adjust to wearing sleep shades but often this change can
bring on headaches, neck pain, etc. as the proprioceptive system adjusts. 

That said, I'm not saying the use of sleep shades is a bad idea. I think
practicing and regularly using non-visual skills is especially important for
someone with some degree of usable vision. I applaud the person who uses
echo location with her usable vision if that's the case, as not many people
do. I know I didn't realize how much I used it until I would put on sun
glasses and such. 

As for GDF's policy on using sleep shades, we will suggest it and even force
the issue if we see that someone is using residual vision too much and it is
seriously compromising the work with the dog. It is not mandatory though. 

Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com
http://www.twitter.com/jeninems


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of National
Association of Guide Dog Users
Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 9:40 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blindfolds During Training for Those Who Have Some
Vision

Chantel,
	I applaude Pilot for doing this; my opinion is that this is a very
progressive policy! I am a strong advocate for using sleep shades during
blindness skills training, especially when it involves Orientation &
Mobility training. When I sat on Southeastern Guide Dogs Graduate Advisory
Council, I pressed for mandatory sleep shade work for those who had residual
eyesight because  I believe this helps strengthen the skill by not using
residual eyesight during the training process. I had one Council member
object to my proposal, asserting that the sleep shade interfered with her
"facial vision". I told her she should not wear the sleep shades over her
ears! So call "facial vision" is accurately called echolocation and is a
function of the ears, not the face!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala



-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chantel Cuddemi
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 12:59 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blindfolds During Training for Those Who Have Some
Vision

Nicole,

I don't have any vision, but when I went to train with Motley at Pilot,
everyone in my class  was required to wear a blindfold during one of our
walks. 

Chantel and Motley.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nicole Torcolini
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 12:20 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] Blindfolds During Training for Those Who Have Some Vision

I know that this may not be as important to some people as others, but
another interesting and potentially sensitive bit of information that would
be nice to have about the different schools is which ones have the trainees
who have some sight wear blindfolds during training and if it is optional.
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