Support for visually impaired persons – A brief history of dog training guides and use a white cane

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Support for visually impaired persons – A brief history of dog training guides and use a white cane

Journal Title: Niepełnosprawność - zagadnienia, problemy, rozwiązania - Year 2013, Vol 0, Issue 8

Abstract

The article presents the story of two attributes of the blind – a guide dog and a white cane. A person with a guide dog, in addition to the person moving with the help of a white cane, the image that is most often associated with blind people. Despite the many changes technological advancements that have occurred in the environment – sticks to detect barriers from several meters, warning of obstacles at the waist or head level or informing about the change of light at a pedestrian crossing – the basic functions of the white cane remain unchanged. Even though over the years a guide dog still remains a valuable means of rehabilitation for the blind. It allows her to safer and faster move on the ground than it is possible using a white cane. Summary text describes in a few words how it came to this, that a dog and a white cane have become important parts of the rehabilitation of the visually impaired. A number of events made it possible – sometimes tragic, accidental or intended. Starting from an accident in Bristol, actions in Paris and accidental encounters in Pretoria and Buenos Aires, and ending with the first dog training schools in Switzerland and the USA. It had its consequences in terms of the following schools in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France. However, the fact that today we can assist the blind, using the dogs, or different items, is due to persistence and ingenuity of people, both able-bodied and disabled.

Authors and Affiliations

Marcin Garbat

Keywords

blind a guide dog a white cane

EP ID EP375631
DOI -
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