RE: https://disabled.social/@vlrny/116540812062829077

Not voting, as I was born #disabled

In the #blind community, I was #sighted, although I was born with #cataracts and have always been #LegallyBlind. My dad was blind, and navigated everywhere with his #whitecane. He ws part of an #advocacy #organiztion, and he traveled around the #US by air. His sister, my Aunt Buffy, was a #COBOL #programmer for Sears in #Chicago. She took me to her work once. We rode the #El with her #GuideDog, Ginger.

This meant that it was tough to get away with "Blind kids can't. . ." unless I'd actually *tried*..

#RepresentationMatters.

Today was an interesting day. I’m in the process of finding a new support worker and interviewed three potential candidates.

The first was very ableist, describing my studies and music as “inspirational” and “wonderful.” She also claimed she could guarantee the car for my guide dog, saying she only uses one specific car for dogs.

After that, I went for a short walk and had a baked potato with coleslaw and salad for lunch.

The second interview felt like a potential match. A lovely young woman with several years in community support, currently looking for some extra work.

The third was an older woman who seemed to have significant challenges of her own. She has experience in case management, but after leaving that role moved into support work. She appeared quite directionless and, at least from my perspective, may be struggling mentally.

I’m exhausted from the whole process today. Dinner is a hamburger with the lot. Tomorrow I’ll sleep in and rest.

#DisabilitySupport #NDIS #SupportWorkerSearch #ChronicIllness #AuDHD #Blind #GuideDog

This is the kind of thing we should be pointing AI at - actual problems people have that LLMs and perception models can reasonably help with, even with their known flaws.

I want there to be a freely available "robot guide dog providing interactive verbal descriptions of the environment" - one that isn't burdened by a subscription model and that comes with the right to have it modified and/or repaired in perpetuity.

Link: https://newatlas.com/robotics/robot-guide-dog

#Robots #LLMs #Accessibility #BlindTech #GuideDog

Dogs with Jobs - UTV Northern Ireland.

An YouTube playlist with eight 22-minute episodes of season 2 of the UTV Northern Ireland TV show about assistance dogs of various kinds. Guide dogs, assistance dogs etc.

YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvSw4kcAGGbMalPlCa4vgOtsH5YnBbyVx

#Dogs #GuideDog #AssistanceDog

I wrote this some time ago and just found it again while reviewing my tags on Dreamwidth. Some of you may find it interesting. Keep in mind that this is just my personal opinion and experience. I do not represent all blind people.

Why I Don't Want a Guide Dog

https://dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/210284.html

#blindness #essay #dog #GuideDog #mobility #robot #technology #walking #WhiteCane