by Kathy Austin, CVA
It was not a conscious decision. More like a weak moment. It was a dark and cloudy day, but warm for the first week of December. My husband and I were moving into our new house with friends and family helping out. Our big yellow lab, Beauregard, was at the vet being boarded for the […] Read More »
Tags: driving, giving up driving, Independent Travel, RP
by Rachael Eschbach, COMS
I am a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, who is fortunate to be a full time employee at Second Sense. Although I am a young professional, I have been working in the field and training clients of all ages in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) for the past 6 years. I love what I do! I […] Read More »
Tags: Mobility, O&M, orientation and mobility
by Kathy Austin, CVA
His nose twitches constantly. Lamp posts cannot be resisted. Another slimy chicken bone taken out of his mouth. This is my regular two-block walk from the office to the train station. I have a very sweet, sometimes naughty, Labrador Retriever guide dog named Weller. He is a gorgeous dog with long ears, a sharp nose […] Read More »
Tags: guide dogs, Mobility, retirement
by David Flament
It must be the culture I grew up in that makes me use car analogies for everything. This post, of course, is not about a new car, but a new white cane. I thought it might be time to purchase a new cane because mine was showing signs of wear. I am not sure how old […] Read More »
Tags: Independent Travel, orientation and mobility, white cane
by Kathy Austin, CVA
You’re standing at a busy intersection, white cane in hand. Cars are whizzing by, turning in all directions and horns are honking. You need to cross the intersection. You feel like you are on the edge of a pool, waiting to jump in, but the water is icy cold and you are very hesitant. […] Read More »
Tags: guide dogs, Mobility, O&M
by Polly Abbott, CVRT
Second Sense recently started offering 1Touch™ classes – a self-defense technique developed specifically for people with vision loss. When I first heard about the program last year I was so intrigued I participated in the training to earn certification as an instructor. Our first class started in late September. The first 1Touch practitioners completed their […] Read More »
Tags: Mobility, self-defense
by Kathy Austin, CVA
You are getting into a stranger’s car. You wonder … am I going to get to my destination? Am I going for a joy ride to somewhere over the rainbow? Who is this person anyway? I’ve been using Uber on a pretty regular basis for the last several months. I’d like to share some of […] Read More »
Tags: guide dogs, Independent Travel, Lyft, Mobility, Ride Sharing, Uber
by Kathy Austin, CVA
You’re walking down the sidewalk and encounter two people with vision loss. One person is strutting along tapping his cane side to side in front of him. The other person is walking with a yellow Labrador retriever holding onto a harness handle. You ask yourself, “Why do some people travel with a white cane […] Read More »
Tags: Guide dog, Mobility, orientation and mobility, white cane
by Shawn Sturges
As we lose our sight to various conditions, often times the fear of a lack of independence begins to creep into our minds. I have experienced this many times, but with time and adaptive technology, that fear has slowly dissipated. Over the years I have used various technologies to help out with my mobility and […] Read More »
Tags: apps, Blind, Mobility, Travel
by Kathy Austin, CVA
Recently I commented on Beth Finke’s Safe and Sound blog, Taking Uber with a Guide Dog: Jury Still Out regarding Uber and transporting people who use service animals. This discussion is important to raise awareness of this valuable transportation option for individuals with vision loss and to ensure that service dogs are accommodated. Here […] Read More »
Tags: guide dogs, transportation, Uber