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

Tue Nov 5 16:35:12 UTC 2013

Jenine,
Very interesting this proprioceptive system. Sort of explains why as a HOH, hard of hearing, person I can no longer use that echo-location. I am looking up on the internet how being blind or deaf impairs the proprioceptive system. 

I have light perception too. But notice that I use it way more than I should, especially since I can't hear or actually use that vision. 

Marsha drenth  
Sent with my IPhone 

> On Nov 5, 2013, at 10:32 AM, "Jenine Stanley" <jeninems at wowway.com> wrote:
> 
> 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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