Guide Dog or Technology?

Do you want or need a guide dog? Or do you like technology? We now have choices. First, let's talk about what you need to do before  you get a guide dog. Then I'll tell you about some accessible technology to consider.

You must have had Orientation and Mobility ( O&M ) training on how to use a white guide cane by a certified trainer. The certified trainer will help you through a series steps on how to choose the proper length for you, constant touch or tap method while walking, using the cane walking around your house and outdoors to feel for obstacles unevenness of the floor/pavement beneath your feet. When you train outdoors, you will be trained how to listen to the flow of traffic, when it's safe to cross, how to feel the curb and step off and up safely, finding the pedestrian call (or beg) button to push to cross the street or ask someone to push it for you if hear someone where you are (not all buttons emit a sound). You will learn how to navigate stairs going up and down while using your cane to tell the depth and width of each step, using your cane to find and navigate the steps of a public bus if you take one. How to walk amongst people on a sidewalk. Once you have passed the course, ask for a letter of completion whether you want a guide or not at the moment and put it in a safe place. Some guide dog schools require you to have at least 2 years experience using a white cane.

Are you ready to apply to a guide dog school? Which one should you choose? All of them and none of them. There are only 12 schools in the US and they all have waiting lists to attend their school. Just because you live in the same city or area, doesn't mean they'll choose you. Choose you are the key words. Call or email them for an application and also ask if they will accept another schools application because most of them are standardized. 

You will need your doctor, eye or eye specialist, spouse if you have one fill out a form, you will need referrals and have some video you doing routine things around the house, walking with your white cane outside, using stairs, public transportation, and walking with someone. There may be more or less according to the school and the school may require the video may need to be a certain length of time. You will also be asked to give a description of the route and length of route you walk as well as how often you walk it. Once everything is submitted, be patient, it will take time before they get back to you.

If a school is interested, they will send an evaluator to your home to talk to you and give you a "juno training". The training is you holding onto something similar to a guide dog harness while the evaluator holds onto the front guiding you. He will tell you what commands to give your dog (him) at any certain point.