[NAGDU] Field Reps

Tue Jul 4 16:09:24 UTC 2017

Jordan, I wish you the best of luck in getting this resolved. However, I would recommend that you not wait until the end of this month to see how things go. I would recommend that you be a bit more proactive or assertive with your needs. As others have suggested, try to go up the chain of command if necessary. I understand about life getting in the way and not having enough time to do things. However, at least if it was me, this would be higher up with my own priorities because it has to do with my travel and my independence. Good luck. We are here to help.

--
Raul A. Gallegos
Assistive Technology Trainer - RGA Tech Solutions

Mobile: 832.554.7285
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“Any teacher that can be replaced with a computer, deserves to be.” – David Thornburg

> On Jul 4, 2017, at 10:59 AM, Tami Jarvis via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Jordan,
> 
> It's so frustrating when that happens, and you just don't have time to do battle to get the answer to a question that you really need to have answered.
> 
> For one tricky street crossing long ago, I gave up on the blindness professionals and was able to get a helpful description when I was walking that way with a sighted friend, and later on from a random stranger. It was still a tricky and uncomfortable crossing, but it was possible to cross there instead of going around for a mile or two just to avoid it. Later on, out in the outer suburbs, I had a street crossing that got to be too crazy dangerous, which was a real problem. Lack of sidewalks and increasing traffic, mostly driven by wreckless menaces made going around a pretty iffy business, too. Even the drivers in the subdivisions along that route were terrified to take it on, and people stopped walking it unless they absolutely had to. I wonder if they ever put in a light there, or if the body count is still piling up.
> 
> Anyway, I have found getting a description of the infrastructure around a tricky crossing to be helpful, along with standing on the corner listening to traffic. That also takes time, but sometimes less time than trying to wrangle answers and not getting any. It can also be frustrating because sighted people don't always notice the things I consider key to navigation. Otheres are very observant, which is helpful.
> 
> For the harness handle... That strikes me as a big problem if it keeps you from feeling your dog's movements. I don't really have a solution other than fix it yourself, if you have tools and are handy that way. I've heard of schools replacing harnesses, but I've always wondered how that works. Do they overnight them in the mail? Or do you just have to wait around with no harness? I'm no help there. I have two harnesses, so if something happens to one, I have a spare.
> 
> Hope you're able to get these things resolved.
> 
> Tami
> 
>> On 07/03/2017 09:57 PM, Jordan Gallacher via NAGDU wrote:
>> I wish I had that kind of time to do that to be honest.  I am quite busy between now and leaving for convention.
>> Jordan
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> On Jul 3, 2017, at 10:20 PM, Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I sure wouldn't wait until the end of the month. I would get in touch with
>>> them regularly, on a daily basis, and go up the chain of command rather
>>> quickly.
>>> Cindy Lou Ray
>>> cindyray at gmail.com
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jordan Gallacher
>>> via NAGDU
>>> Sent: Monday, July 3, 2017 9:52 PM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Cc: Jordan Gallacher <jordanandbelto at gmail.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Field Reps
>>> 
>>> No, we were just talking about it on the phone.  I am definitely going to be
>>> getting on this more after the convention if I don't hear anything by the
>>> end of the month that is for sure.  The problem with the harness is that if
>>> the handle slides forward, it just plain gets stuck.  I have a feeling
>>> something got bent the last time I flew and had it in the overhead bin
>>> because it was working fine up until I came back from my last trip.
>>> Jordan
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie Johnson via
>>> NAGDU
>>> Sent: Monday, July 3, 2017 5:46 PM
>>> To: Jordan Gallacher via NAGDU
>>> Cc: Julie Johnson
>>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Field Reps
>>> 
>>> Was your field rep in your town working with you in person?  I'm confused
>>> about the part about giving advice on street crossings without having seen
>>> the intersection. Could he/she have been using Google Earth?
>>> 
>>> Did you explain that the help provided wasn't really helpful? Perhaps they
>>> could consult with a colleague and get back to you with some more ideas.  Or
>>> help you with other ideas.  But if they don't know the first ideas weren't
>>> helpful, it's doubtful they'd offer others.
>>> 
>>> What about calling the program to speak with the supervisor?  If you feel
>>> you've done all you can and the situation still isn't resolved, then perhaps
>>> the next step is moving up the ladder.
>>> 
>>> What is wrong with your harness that you can't properly follow? Is this a
>>> new thing?  Did the dog's pace or pull change, that can definitely influence
>>> the feel.  Other than that I can't think of anything, short of a broken part
>>> on the harness.
>>> 
>>> I hope you can get it resolved.
>>> Julie
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 7/3/2017 4:42 PM, Jordan Gallacher via NAGDU wrote:
>>>> Anyone else notice that field reps are not as good as they used to be?
>>> Also, has anyone else notice that they try to give advice about steer
>>> crossings for which they have never seen?  For example, the only advice my
>>> field rep is giving me about a couple street crossings in this town is just
>>> plain don't do them since they can be difficult.  Slidell is one of those
>>> towns where if I don't cross those crossings, which even though they can be
>>> difficult and Belto sometimes has difficulties at these, crossings, he does
>>> them just fine most of the time.  Any advice on what I should do besides
>>> ignoring the field rep, which is kind of what I am going to have to do.
>>> Another problem is that Belto's harness is not functioning properly, and
>>> thus I am having a hard time telling what he is doing.  What should I do
>>> since I am not being taken seriously about that?
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Jordan
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
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>>> 
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