[NAGDU] Decomposed concrete city, sidewalks, and walkways and working your Guide dog

[Margo Downey]

Have you had the opportunity to talk with city planners or city council
about this. It sounds just horrible.

Margo and Tami

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Debbie Gabe via
NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2024 7:01 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Debbie Gabe
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Decomposed concrete city, sidewalks, and walkways and
working your Guide dog

I've never encountered that but it sounds just horrible  and if I were you,
I would write to your city council person or state leg to complain. Just say
exactly what you said here.
debbie

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Diane via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, December 5, 2024 1:04 PM
To: Nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Diane <dvlasoff at roadrunner.com>
Subject: [NAGDU] Decomposed concrete city, sidewalks, and walkways and
working your Guide dog

Hi list -

I participated in our local city planning commission meeting yesterday
evening. A developer was touting  their progressive thinking, and installing
a decomposed concrete, also known as DC, sidewalk along a California
highway. I have a problem with this as a blind person and I do not know if
it is just me or it is a collective problem. Hence, I'm writing you guys.

If you have never run into DC as you have gone for walks, DC feels like
packed sand.  And because it is essentially sand when it rains, it becomes
mud and becomes filled with potholes, wash, boarding, and whatever other
scars created by strollers, wheelchair, bicycles, or people walking. My guy
dog gets full of mud and I end up wearing a lot of mud on my clothing so I
go into shops looking filthy.

Once scarred this decomposed concrete  "sidewalks" aren't properly
maintained.


I am never sure where the boundaries of a decomposed concrete walkway/a
sidewalk are. If they are going through a park, I can't tell if I'm on the
walkway or wandering off because here in California many places don't have
grass so you don't have that as a Feedback mechanism you have dirt and more
dirt. One corner with a decomposed concrete sidewalk I thought was strictly
a empty dirt area for dogs to relieve themselves on conveniently located
next to the groomer's shop.
My Guide I don't know if she understands decomposed concrete as a place we
should walk. I just don't know. I don't know how to follow her. I don't know
how to correct her. I don't know how to encourage her. The whole thing is
just a complete frustration to me.

Any advice, feedback or experiences would be truly welcome!

Thank you tremendously for your time.

Diane & Jaxi



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