What's the Rush?

Luke has several spots in the home where he especially likes to lay. One of them is against the entry door. After observing, I noticed that he would choose this spot when everyone is in the home. From his position, he has full view of every bedroom door and living area.

My totally laid back partner was lying against the entry door one day, snoozing away. Brother, tending to leave for work at the last possible moment tries to open the door. Politely, brother asks Luke to get up so that he can get out. I am sitting 20 feet away at my work station and I hear Luke's tail thump quietly against the wall to the rhythmic beat of 4 whole notes. Thump, thump, thump....

Brother, with hand already on the door knob, asks Luke again, in a polite manner to get up. Realizing that Luke was paying no mind to him, brother gets impatient and says, "Luke, blurb)! I'm going to be late!" Get up? Then you can go back down again." Thump, thump, thump...

Finally, brother, frustrated that Luke was totally ignoring him, turns to me for help. "Hey, can you tell your dog to move so I can get out? I'm going to be late!" Thump, thump, thump...

Very quietly, knowing full well that Luke was purposely messing with brother, I called Luke to me. Ever so slowly, Luke rises from his spot and stretches out his full 35 inch length and 27 inch height, then slowly begins to step away. Brother is breathing impatiently already as he waits for the slow moving dog to clear the door. Just as he does, brother opens the door to say thanks only to be greeted with a look from Luke that said, "Whatever. I don't see what the rush is all about!" Brother, snaps, "Yeah, whatever, Luke"

Luke reaches me and lays his head on my lap. Then he looks up to me saying, " Did you like that, mum?" Tail wagging briskly and face leaning up to lick me tells me this dog just played my brother and was proud of himself!" Praises were certainly in order!

Guide Dog Luke Protesting Personal Ride?

Luke, featured on the ABOUT SERVICE ANIMALS page, was born and trained at Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind. He is very large but is still on the lean side and weighs 85 pounds. He has very serious concentration when working and most people who know him accuse him of being anal with his work. He is totally laid back and in no rush to go anywhere. People who interact with Luke say that his expressions clearly express what he wants to say with no mistake.

A couple of days ago, a colleague came to my medical clinic to pick us up for a meeting. Knowing our ride was on the lot, we stepped out into the parkway to make sure she saw us. She saw us and honked her horn to signal me. When Luke saw who was there, he began side stepping away from me but still keeping his intent glare on my colleague. My colleague yells from her car, "Yes, that's right... You are riding with me and you have nowhere else to go. So get your bloody (blurb) in here." I proceed to the car with my partner grudgingly along side. As we get to the vehicle door, he tries one last attempt to suggest that we not go in the car by stepping away and tugging at his lead to persuade me to follow. I told him to get over it and get into the car. He gets in and sits up straight glaring at my colleague. She snaps "Alright, I will turn on the A/C just for you. So go lie down and stop staring at me." He settles down and waits for the A/C to turn on before sinking into sleep and snore!

Will U.S. Currency Be Accessible For The Blind In The Future?

Bureau of Engraving and Printing Seeks Comment on Making Currency Accessible

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing seeks public comment on efforts to make U.S. currency accessible to people with vision impairments. In a notice published in the Federal Registery on May 20, the Bureau outlined potential actions to be undertaken and posed specific questions to the public. The Bureau is proposing to add a raised tactile feature to indicate currency denomination and to improve visual access through larger numbers, higher contrast, and more distinct color schemes. In addition, the agency is also considering a supplemental program to provide currency readers free to those who need them and to explore emerging technological solutions to further improve accessibility. These actions are based on a study of the issue previously commissioned by the Bureau and stem from a ruling in a court case filed by the American Council of the Blind.

The notice specifically seeks public input on criteria for tactile and visual features, including the type and location of tactile features, the size and contrast of the numerals, impacts on cash handling industries and equipment, the currency reader program, and other topics. The notice, which includes instructions on submitting comment, is available through the online edition of the Federal Registery at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. Comments are due by August 18. For further information, contact Ellen Gano of the Bureau at (202) 874-1200.

Note from Guide Dog Ambassador: Don't imagine that your comment may be little or nonsense. All comments, ideas, suggestions and even examples about other currencies will go a long way toward finding the ideal way to produce accessible currency!

We like to believe that "Individually, we can make a difference. Together, we can make a change".

National ADA 2010 By 2010 Campaign Update For Hawaii

Eye of the Pacific Guide Dogs Foundation sincerely thanks the following listed for taking the time to go online and submit their proclamation supporting the ideals and goals of the ADA for full inclusion for Americans with disabilities in every day American life.
The National ADA symposium is asking that states reach a goal of at least 40 proclamations. This is not hard considering that it only takes 5 minutes to do this online and it is not only the right thing – it is the aloha way – demonstrating that Hawaii cares about her people.
If you have not submitted your proclamation, please take a few minutes. Make Hawaii proud! Go to our NATIONAL ADA SYMPOSIUM: LEARN MORE ABOUT HAWAII'S 2010 ABLE EVENT link.

Hawaii State Senate- Honolulu, Signee: Senator William C. Espero
Statewide Independent Living Council of Hawaii- Honolulu, Signee: Margaret Levy-Dohanos, Council Member
Eye of the Pacific Guide Dogs Foundation- Honolulu, Signee: Dave Palomares, President
Dolphin Press- Hilo, Signee: Elizabeth Whitney, President/Owner
Full Life- Pahoa, Signee: Jan Stickney, Program Director
Integrated Energy Balancing- Pahoa, Signee: Margaret Martin, Owner
Hawaii Community College- Hilo, Signee: Karen Kane, Counselor for Students with Disabilities
Hawaii Centers for Independent Living- Honolulu, Signee: Gordon Fuller, Executive Director
Hawaii Centers for Independent Living- Kaunakakai, Kealoha Laemoa, Independent Living Specialist
Hawaii Center for Independent Living- Pahoa, Signee: Edel Hanoa, Independent Living Specialist
Hawaii Center for Independent Living- Hauula, Signee: Danford Campbell, IL Specialist
Maui Wheelers- Wailuku, Signee: Heather Proud Harmony, Peer Counselor/ Facilitator
Easter Seals Hawaii- Honolulu, Signee: John Howell, President & CEO
Individuals/Advocates- Signees: (Hilo) Paige Delima, Parent

HAPPY 1ST ANNIVERSARY!

Congratulations Guide Dog Arika and Guide Dog Zoe for completing their first year as guide dogs. Guide Dog Arika is featured on the Electronic Aids page and Guide Dog Zoe is featured on the Donations page. Our young ladies were trained by Guide Dogs Victoria of Australia and have demonstrated exceptional professional manners and skill. We at Eye of the Pacific are proud of our ladies for making their first year a great success in providing exceptional guide dog mobility for their handlers. WAY TO GO, GIRLS! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

EOTP SPEARHEADS 2010 ADA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

On May 4, 2010 the board of directors committed to spearhead the ADA Anniversary Celebration. Hawaii residents and businesses are invited to join us as we celebrate 20 years of

INTERNATIONAL GUIDE DOG DAY – April 29, 2010

On Wednesday, April 29, 2010, join us in recognizing the important role guide dogs play in helping blind and visually impaired attain safe and independent mobility.

Guide dog handlers walk freely and feel confident knowing their Guide Dog will not only recognize obstacles but guide safely around them.

Most people are generous in providing access to Guide Dogs, however not everyone understands just how essential the Guide Dog is for their handler, or aren’t fully aware of the laws entitling public access for Guide Dog.

Guide Dog handlers worldwide continue to experience frustration and discrimination of refusing them access into a restaurant, store or taxi etc because of their guide dog.

You can support Guide Dogs by remembering that Guide Dogs are legally allowed access into all public places such as airplanes, taxis, trains, buses, grocery stores, banks, hotels, restaurants, doctors offices, theatres, amusement parks and shopping malls. It is a case of discrimination if a Guide Dog and its handler are denied access to any public place.

Guide Dogs are specially bred and trained to guide their handler safely in any environment. Guide Dogs have undergone rigorous training to ensure they focus on the task. They are quiet, well behaved, non-aggressive and completely clean at all times.