Robotic, AI Guide Dog Under Development

by Financial Review    Guide dogs are a great help to vision-impaired and blind people, assisting them to navigate their surroundings and get to where they need to go.    But they’re not for everyone. Some people have allergies that make dogs unsuitable; others might not want to take on the responsibility of looking after …

Blind Couple Gets Assistance In Saving House

by Anders Anglesey and Amy Fenton Daily Record  (Scotland)    A blind couple on the brink of eviction has been left astounded by a stranger’s generous offer to purchase their home for them.     “Cath and John Roche, both blind since birth, were shocked when they received a Section 21 notice after their landlords’  properties in …

Uber And Lyft Corporations Are To Blame

by Terri Gerstein Slate.com    Last year, former U.S. Circuit Court Judge David Tatel, who is blind, was denied a Lyft ride to court when a driver refused to accept his guide dog.    It should not be necessary to state this, but: People who are blind deserve full access to trains, airplanes, and other transportation …

Did You Know Churches Can Ignore The ADA?

by Kevin Burton    Can something be legal and also criminal?    A blind woman in Bryan, Texas was denied access to a church in June because of her guide dog. This was legal, due to an ADA exemption I had no idea existed.    But what would Jesus have done?    That’s not even …

Blind Hong Kong Men Pulled Off Airplane

by Emily Hung South China Morning Post    Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways’ budget wing, HK Express, became embroiled in controversy after two visually impaired passengers said they were forced off a flight, triggering outrage from a campaign group for the blind.    But HK Express denied that the men had been forcibly removed and insisted …

Papa John’s To Pay $175K For Discrimination

by Kevin Burton    Giant pizza-delivery chain Papa John’s will cough up a big chunk of dough, for employment  discrimination against a blind man, according to multiple published reports.    Louisville-based Papa John’s is the fourth-largest pizza delivery chain in the US,  according to USA Today. On its website, Papa John’s lists “the values that …

Groom Wears Blindfold To Honor Blind Bride

by Heather Campbell Deadline News    Lucy Edwards lost her eyesight at just 17 due to a rare genetic condition called incontinentia pigmenti, and married beau Ollie in an intimate wedding ceremony in Kew Gardens, London last month.    The 27-year-old took a unique approach to her big day though, requesting that her hubby and …

Café Owner To Pay Fine For Discrimination

by Lisa Steacy CTV News    The owner of a B.C. café has been ordered to pay a woman, who is legally blind, $12,000 in compensation for discrimination after she was refused service because she had a guide dog.     The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal ruled on the case last week and the decision was …

A New Take On Taxis And Guide Dogs

   If you are blind and use a guide dog for travel, this story is all too familiar to you.   This comes from Calgary, Alberta, courtesy CBC News.        “A Calgary cab company has fined and temporarily suspended one of its drivers for refusing to give a ride this week to a blind woman …

Studying Social Interactions Of The Blind

by Kevin Burton    A North Carolina State University research study offers tips for blind people on how to make social interactions less awkward.    I found the story by NC State’s Matt Shipman on http://www.medicalxpress.com.    “A recent study highlights the range of uncomfortable situations people living with blindness or visual impairment encounter due …