[NAGDU] Using an accessible GPS while working your guide dog

[The Pawpower Pack]

I use several things. 
I use the apple maps app and get directions via haptic feedback on my applewatch.  I am Deafblind and do not like carrying around my braille display when I walk because it's rescipe for disaster.  So I set up a route with the display and the phone, put them both in my bag after starting it and the watch tells me when to turn via haptics.  
When I take pubtrans, like the bus, I use iMove which is free,  and which will tell you where you are— the block number of the street, intersections etc. This way I can keep track and not have to rely upon the bus driver who may, or may not, remember my stop. 
 I don't use GPS unless I'm doing route planning and need point to point directions or unless I'm on pubtrans.  If I'm doing 95% of my walking, I know where I am/ where I need to go because it's places I go to often or places I can figure out with brain power and my dog. 
  

 Rox and the kitchen Bitches: 
Mill'E, Laveau, Soleil
Pawpower4me at gmail.com
Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 14, 2016, at 2:21 PM, Caitlyn Furness via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> I use and love love blindsquare.  I have tried seeing eye app and hate it.  I also have navigon and like it well enough, but blind square is my go to travel app.
> 
> I do use the aftershocks head phones.  Mine are currently the wired ones, but I had a pair of the bluetooth ones which my hubby “borrowed” and never gave back he loves them so much!!  lol
> 
> anyway, I find using the aftershocks are great.  I can still work my dog and have my hands free if needs be.  If I have to get more info, I personally stop and “pull over” to the side of the sidewalk, but that’s just me.  Mark can walk with his dog and still use the gps…
> 
> In the past I used Mobile geo and also sense nav.  the sense nav was on my braille sense, and I found that too  bulky and awkward to use-at least with the dog.  Maybe with a cane it’d work better.
> 
> I think it’s important to remember that these gps things are great, but they are only additional tools.  We shouldn’t rely on them totally.
> 
> One time, Mark and I had to go to a strange town for a doctor’s appointment.  We mapped a route with the gps and went off on our way.  The gps had us walking down a street where the sidewalk ended and we could’ve ended up on an extremely busy road with hardly any shoulder and no sidewalk.  Fortunately, we met a local guy who showed us another route where we were safely on sidewalks the entire way!!
> 
> We always have adventures!
> 
> Cait
> 
>> On Apr 14, 2016, at 10:00 AM, Vivianna via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi there.
>> i know that leader dogs gives their students a treker breeze and has the students work with it extensively during training.
>> i, personally, use BlindSquare and love it.  i have explored unfamiliar areas quite a bit.  yes, you may have to stop for a minute but, that’s ok with me.
>> i have the blues II by afterShock but, i don’t like wearing them, especially in the summer as, i can not wear sunglasses at the same time.  i tend to use the ear pods that came with my phone and have just ordered a remote control key fob so that i can pair it to my phone and use my little one ear plantronics which will let me hear very well.
>> i will admit that, in my opinion, using four square for a database is, well, frankly, pretty lame.  but, with that being said, i still feel that BlindSquare is the best thing going at this time.  and, the developer is wonderful and always working on improvements.
>> HTH
>> 
>> Vivianna
>> 
>>> On Apr 13, 2016, at 7:10 PM, Carmella Broome via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi everyone, I know aspects of this topic have been talked about on this list before, but I can't find anything recent and I have several questions. I  am interested in accessible GPS I Phone apps and incorporating their use into  my travels with my guide dog. I've heard about  Blind Square and  The Seeing Eye GPS app.   Are there others any of you use and like? Suggestions on preference and why would be much appreciated. Also, experiences using a GPS app while  out walking with/traveling with  your dog  would be great, as well.  I can't find many articles talking about people's first person experiences with such apps and that's what I'm interested in. I want using the apps to enhance my travels with my dog and to help  if I become disoriented on a route or so I can explore  more confidently.  I don't want using such an app to distract me from info my dog is  giving me or from my focus on her  and our work together.  Are any of the guide dog schools   incorporating  GPS app use into training or   giving suggestions to  graduates about using one while working a guide dog? Any thoughts  or experiences  are welcomed and appreciated as I believe very strongly in that knowledge is power idea.  I live in the US and  do not have useable vision. Thanks in advance.      
>>> 
>>> Carmella Broome and 3 year old yellow lab Brooklyn
>>> 
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