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

Tue Nov 5 17:17:34 UTC 2013

Jenine,

Thanks for that excellent explanation! It certainly matches what I 
experience.

I've long since decided that if I have residual vision when I go to a 
program for a dog, I will want to do the early training under sleep 
shade to build the trust and skill working with the dog that way. In 
that setting, of course, the presence of the instructor makes that a 
safe option. I'm going to keep your explanation so I can explain to said 
instructor why I'm such a freak when I first put on or take off the 
sleep shade, in case I need it. /lol/

For owner-training, I need to get used to sunglasses and a cap again, to 
protect my head and eyes. That won't be such a big deal, I guess. But 
with Mitzi, I decided sleep shades weren't a safe option when it came 
time to start really trusting her. So I could just wait until dark -- 
which is earlier for me than for most. /smile/ That part should go 
easier with my next victim, since Mitzi has me trained... Or not. /lol/ 
Now we're adjusting to early dark and cold -- thus woolly hat which 
messes me up big time. I'll adjust within the next couple of weeks, but 
for now my dog must be very patient with me. /smile/ I was noticing just 
last evening, that my nice thick gloves seem to mess me up, as well. I 
felt dramatically oriented once I took them off. Very odd.

Tami

On 11/05/2013 07:32 AM, Jenine Stanley 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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