Guest Post: An Open Letter to New Guide Dog Handlers

This week, fellow blindfluencer Rhianna McGregor and I swapped blogs again. We’re both on our second dog guides, and decided to share some hard-won wisdom from our experiences with new and prospective dog guide users. We’ve attended different schools, worked with different breeds, and learned different lessons.

An Accessible Art Museum? My Visit to Nashville’s Parthenon

The tap of my Cain as I drifted across the temple space echoed in a library hush created by the imposing figure of the goddess herself. To me she appeared a vaguely shimmering outline in the dimness, how she might have appeared to Perseus as she bestowed celestial gifts of survival. The silhouette of golden light stretched far, far out of my meager peripheral vision, giving me a sense of endless presence.

Guest Post: Dungeons and Doggies

Currently, there are no game modifications specifically for the inclusion of service animals. Those that want their character to have an assisting animal companion must utilize existing game rules and structure. 

Wheelchair Womp Womp Part II: Obstacles the ADA Fails to Remove

Can you imagine living with the knowledge that something as simple as meeting a friend for lunch could put you at risk for physical injury, triggering past trauma, or the humiliation of not making it to the bathroom? Any one of those events could prevent you from returning to work for the afternoon, which would cut into your income and damage your reputation as a valuable employee.

Wheelchair Womp-Womp: The Gap Between the Americans with Disabilities Act and Accessibility

Imagine, then, how wheelchair and mobility technology has changed since this landmark law was written more than 3 decades ago. Imagine how features like motorization, carry capacity, body size accessibility, and other aspects of wheelchair and mobility aid construction must have changed. And now think about how that might change things like turning radius, the need for accessible outlets, ramp,  hallway, and doorway width requirements. What does “wheelchair-accessible’ even mean anymore?

Guest Post: From First Pet to Last Snuggle

In reflecting on our two-year relationship from first pet to last snuggle, I’ve realized that it’s the same way with grief. If you’ll allow me a moment, I’d like to share with you the story of Cricket’s retirement.