WBRC Welcomes New Guide Dog Puppy in Training

Photo: WBRC's new Guide Dog Puppy in Training 'Rookie'

WBRC would like to welcome 'Rookie', a new Guide Dog puppy 'in training'.  Rookie is a 8 week old male 3/4 yellow Labrador 1/4 golden retriever who is being raised and trained by Lindsay Hass, WBRC Orientation and Mobility Specialist.  Rookie will accompany Ms. Hass to work and in the community for about 18 months to become acclimated to a variety of environments, people, and situations prior to returning to Guide Dogs for the Blind for evaluation and additional training to become a Guide Dog.  Rookie is the 6th Guide Dog puppy that Ms. Hass has raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind.  Her last Guide Dog puppy, Hawthorne, is currently participating in formal training at Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, CA

2013 WBRC White Cane Awareness Walk a Huge Success

Photo: Chris Kliks and Brian Higgins walk at the event [Photo via Bookshare]

The 2013 White Cane Awareness Walk hosted by WBRC on October 16, 2013 was a huge success with over 60 marchers!  WBRC Students and Staff members were joined by participants from Bookshare, the VISTA Center, and the Palo Alto Host Lions Club on a stroll across El Camino Real and along South California Ave in Palo Alto, CA.  This event, designed to celebrate the ability of persons with vision impairment to lead full and independent lives, also included public education of the White Cane Law. 

 
The White Cane Law states that pedestrians who use a white cane or dog guide have certain rights.  Only persons who are legally blind are lawfully allowed to carry a white cane.   Legal Blindness is defined as someone who has best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye; or a visual field limitation of 20 degrees or less.  Some people with vision loss do not fall under the legal blindness definition but can still benefit from use of a long cane in a different color, such as yellow.

The California Vehicle Code 21963 states that a person carrying a predominantly white cane or using a dog guide shall have the right-of-way, that the driver of any vehicle approaching this person who fails to yield, or take all reasonable precautions to avoid injuring this pedestrian is guilty of a misdemeanor.  This is punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a $500 to $1,000 fine, or both. 

Bookshare and VISTA center (both located along the route) hosted meet and greets for the group which involved education about services and community resources.  WBRC would like to thank everyone who planned, volunteered, hosted, and marched in this event.  

CLICK HERE to learn more about the WBRC

CLICK HERE to read the Bookshare Blog Posting Regarding this Event

CLICK HERE to learn more about Bookshare

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Palo Alto Host Lions Club

CLICK HERE to learn more about the VISTA Center

O&M Supervisor Retires after 31 years in VA

 

Photo: Mr. Richard Ludt, O&M Dept Supervisor

Please join us in extending best wishes to Rick Ludt, WBRC Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Supervisor, who retired on April 1, 2013 after 31 years of service. 

Mr. Ludt’s dedication and commitment to providing service delivery excellence never wavered during his tenure at the WBRC.  Early in his career as the O&M Internship Coordinator, 150 Orientation and Mobility graduate students received their practicum under his tutelage. Mr. Ludt, along with fellow O&M staff members, received the Olin E. Teague Award for developing the WBRC Power Mobility Program, implemented evidenced based treatment planning, as a subject matter expert published numerous articles on low vision rehabilitation, and has been integral in the design of the new VAPAHCS Rehabilitation Center.  
 

Thank you, Rick for your dedication to the Veterans and for setting a high standard for the staff here at the WBRC in serving those who served.