‘Guide Dogs Victoria’s On the Move – October 2019 Bulletin

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ContentsTips for reading this newsletter...................................................................................1

Editor’s update............................................................................................................2

International White Cane Day.....................................................................................3

Apple Workshops........................................................................................................5

Technology with Glen Morrow: iOS Features..............................................................7

A word from the Guide Dog Department: Healthy Dog Weight.................................11

MCG Accessibility Survey.........................................................................................14

Snooza Shopping Day..............................................................................................15

The Divas – Upcoming Events..................................................................................17

Feedback..................................................................................................................19

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Editor’s update

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the October edition of On The Move. In this newsletter, we preview some exciting activities around International White Cane Day on October 15.

Glen Morrow shares some handy iOS features in his Technology Column and the Guide Dog Department discuss the importance of keeping Guide Dogs at a healthy weight.

There is an opportunity to take part in Assistive Technology Workshops at Apple and also to help improve accessibility at the MCG through a short survey.

I hope you enjoy this issue,

Katrina GillBulletin Editor

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International White Cane Day

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International White Cane Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 15.

International White Cane Day honours and recognises the achievements and independence of people with low vision and blindness. The day also raises awareness of the importance of the white cane.

On International White Cane Day, Guide Dogs Victoria will promote greater accessibility and education in the community by inviting prominent CEOs in Victoria to participate in a Sensory Walking Tour of Melbourne under blindfold or simulation.

This initiative will be shared on GDV’s social media channels to help spread the message of inclusion and accessibility.

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[Image description: A group of people including GDV Clients and Staff. Two people standing in front are holding white canes and a sign that says 'Cane Doers' ]

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Apple Workshops

To show their support for International White Cane Day, Apple Stores around Australia will be running free sessions in the second half of October (15 – 31 October) designed to teach people the basics of using assistive technology built into Mac, iPhone and iPad.

Sessions include 'Using VoiceOver on iPhone and iPad’, 'Using VoiceOver for Mac’ and 'Accessibility Features for Vision Loss’.

Product Skills: Using VoiceOver on iPhone and iPadExplore VoiceOver for iPad and iPhone. For people who are blind or have low vision, VoiceOver lets you hear a description of what's happening on your screen. You’ll learn how to use basic gestures like swiping and tapping to navigate your device, adjust Speaking Rate, and customise VoiceOver in Settings.

Product Skills: Using VoiceOver for MacDiscover how people who are blind or have low vision can use VoiceOver to navigate their Mac. We’ll show you how to use basic commands and gestures to search webpages, create notes, and access VoiceOver

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Keyboard Help.

Product Skills: Accessibility Features for Vision LossDiscover how people with vision loss can learn different ways to interact with Mac and iOS. We’ll explore assistive technologies like Zoom, Text to Speech, and Magnifier, and practice using Dictation to turn spoken words into text.

Available sessions are listed on the Apple website two weeks in advance, so check their website regularly for upcoming sessions that will be hosted between 15 – 31 October. To sign up for a session at your local Apple Store, visit apple.com/today/collection/accessibility-collection/. If you would like assistance in signing up for a session near you, please contact 1800 804 805.

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[Image description: A smiling woman wearing headphones with her eyes closed and holding a phone in her hand. She is being assisted by another person ]

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Technology with Glen Morrow: iOS Features

Do you own an iPhone, or a device that uses iOS? If so, here are a couple of handy features to explore.

Magnifier

When you need to read something, like a receipt or perhaps the control panel for your air conditioner, the Magnifier app on your iOS device can be really useful. You can change the size of what is on the screen by adjusting the slider, change the colours, contrast, brightness and even take a freeze frame so you can look at something. Like a parcel post tracking number or a phone number. You can add the Magnifier icon to your Control Centre by going into Settings, then Control Centre, the Customise Controls. Tap on the PLUS (+) symbol to the left of the Magnifier option. Once it’s added, you can launch the Magnifier from Control Centre.

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 While you’re in the Customise Controls section of the Control Centre option in the Settings app, why not add a few other items that might be helpful. Like Text Size and the Accessibility Shortcut.

[Image Description: a screen shot of the Control Centre screen ]

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Spoken Content

Spoken Content is a new feature in iOS 13. It used to be called Speech but they’ve changed the name and added some neat new features. One of which is called Speech Controller. It basically lets you read text on your screen using speech without having to have VoiceOver on.

To turn it on, head into Settings, then Accessibility, then Spoken Content, and finally Speech Controller. Tap on the Show Controller switch to enable it, and you will see a > symbol. Tap this and press Play on the controller to hear content on your screen – or tap the Finger icon on the controller, then either tap or drag your finger around the screen to have content read aloud. You can use this in emails, text messages, your Instagram timeline – basically anywhere text appears. You can even use it on the emoji keyboard to help you identify those hard to see emojis so you don’t accidentally send someone a grinning face when they’ve given you some bad news. And finally, did you know that Guide Dogs Victoria now has not one, but two Assistive Technology Coordinators? Andrew White and Glen Morrow, part of the Support Services Team, are here to help you with Assistive Technology support, training, NDIS assessments and more. You can find out more about our services at guidedogsvictoria.com.au or call us on 1800 804 805.

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[Image Description: a screen shot of the Speech Controller function]

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A word from the Guide Dog Department: Healthy Dog Weight.

[Image description: a yellow Labrador puppy laying on a set of baby scales]

Keeping your Guide Dog in the correct weight range can have many health benefits. These benefits include:•  Increased working lifespan (up to 1.8 years longer).

•  Decreased risk of joint disease like Osteoarthritis.

•  Decreased risk of hormonal disease like Diabetes.

•  Less stress on the heart.

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•  Improved fitness and less huffing and puffing (especially in hot weather).

•  Less money spent on food if overfeeding. So what is the ideal weight range? Each dog has a different body shape, so there is not one weight that fits all Labradors. A good indicator is to look at and feel the dog. You should be able to just feel the ribs under the skin, but not be able to see them. Viewed from the side, the dog should tuck up behind the rib cage to a neat abdomen. Viewed or felt from above, the dog should dip in beyond the rib cage to a neat waist. Chat to your local vet or vet nurse if you’re unsure or need assistance making this assessment.  How to maintain your dog at the ideal body weight:•  Give treats taken out of the daily ration or give small amounts of healthy treats such as carrot, cucumber, cooked broccoli, green beans, apple or rice crackers.

•  Use a cup measure to give exactly the same amount of food every day. 

•  Remember that Dentabones, biscuits, raw bones, pigs ears and dinner leftovers all contain calories so reduce the daily ration accordingly. 

•  Visit the vet clinic or pet shop with scales monthly to weigh and record your dog’s weight. The scales don’t lie! 

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•  Try to give your dog regular brisk exercise to keep him/her fit, burn calories, maintain good muscle mass and have fun (20 – 30 minutes  daily if possible). What if my dog is overweight? If your dog is just slightly overweight then look at the above advice and start to put some of those suggestions into action. You can also just reduce the amount of food you currently feed your dog by 10 – 15 percent. Remember no extra food treats containing pasta, bread or peanut butter.

If your dog is considerably overweight and the above has not worked, go and see your vet first who may check your dog over and perhaps take blood and urine test to screen for any underlying health problems e.g. Diabetes or Hypothyroidism. Then they may recommend a specially formulated weight loss diet and regular check-ups.

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MCG Accessibility Survey

[Image Description: A panoramic view of inside a packed MCG on AFL Grand Final Day]

If you are a visitor to the MCG we want your opinion on access to the stadium. Guide Dogs Victoria is in discussion with the MCG on how we might improve access using Beacon-BlindSquare technology, and we want to hear from you. Please answer these 3 questions by sending your responses to Tim Adams, GDV Business Development & Innovation Manager at tima@guidedogsvictoria.com.au

What are the biggest access challenges for you at the MCG? (locating toilets, food outlets, wayfinding to public transport, etc.)

What is the MCG already doing well with respect to access for people with low-vision or blindness?

If Beacon-BlindSquare technology was installed at the MCG, would you visit the ground more often?

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Beacon BlindSquare is a wayfinding platform specifically for the low vision and blind user. GDV are rolling out the system in sites in Victoria and interstate.

Full list of existing Beacon-BlindSquare sites:

Bourke Street (CBD)Swanston Street (CBD)Degraves Street (CBD)Melbourne ZooJells Park (Wheelers Hill, VIC)Melbourne Sports and Aquatic CentreFlinders Street StationSouthern Cross StationParliament StationFlagstaff StationRichmond StationFootscray StationDistrict DocklandsDownload the free version of the App on your iPhone from the App Store – search for “BlindSq Event”

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Snooza Shopping Day

Snooza Pet Products are coming to Guide Dogs Victoria on Wednesday 20th November with an incredible Christmas offer just for us!

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Snooza are offering GDV Clients, Volunteers and Staff an amazing 30% off their huge range of quality Dog Beds & accessories. With a brand new range of beds that cover indoor, outdoor and orthopaedic needs, Snooza beds really do last and last. Nearly every component of their beds can be bought separately from the covers, to body inserts, cushions, filling and even the legs and cross arms on their steel beds! Their soft beds are fully washable and to make sure your Snooza lasts even longer, they offer a repair service!

Snooza will have a great display set up in the lecture room for you to touch and feel the range and they will be happy to answer any questions you have. All goods must be paid in full on the day and your order will be delivered to Guide Dogs Victoria for collection as soon as possible, or you are more than welcome to collect from their factory in Braeside.

Details:

Wednesday 20th November, 10am-4pm

Guide Dogs Victoria, Kew Campus, Lecture Room

If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Morten TracyM@guidedogsvictoria.com.au

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[Image description: a Golden Retriever laying on a brown dog bed]

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The Divas – Upcoming Events

The Divas are a peer group of 'mature' women (over the age of 55) with low vision or blindness. As their name suggests, The Divas are about having fun and supporting each other. The Divas talk about anything and everything, providing companionship but also practical information.17 | O n t h e M o v e – A u g u s t 2 0 1 8

The group meets on the last Monday of the month at the Boroondara Library, gathering in meeting room 3. The Boroondara Council are supporting the development of this group. There will be a different activity each month.

On Monday, October 28, The Divas will host a guest from Monash University to discuss 3D Printing. The session will be held between 11am – 12pm, but The Divas are always up for a coffee and a chat afterwards and would love your company anytime up until 2pm. Entrance is via customer service at 8 Inglesby Road, Camberwell. There are taxi, tram and bus facilities nearby as well as car parking.

On Monday, November 25, The Divas will celebrate the festive season with a Christmas lunch. This will be the last Divas gathering for 2019. Details are still to be confirmed. If you are interested in attending, please contact info@guidedogsvictoria.com.au.

The Divas always welcome new members. Please get in touch with either Dorothy on 0401 887 149 or Pam on 0414 406 449, for more information.

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FeedbackIf you have anything to contribute to this newsletter, please feel free to contact us with your piece. We welcome all contributions.

Please either contact or email Customer Service Team with your contributions as below:

info@guidedogsvictoria.com.au or phone 1800 804 805.Return to contents

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