OC Guide Dogs, an Alumni Chapter of Guide Dogs for the Blind
Regular Meeting (Last Names Omitted)
Saturday, September 28, 2024
The regular meeting of OC Guide Dogs, an Alumni Chapter of Guide Dogs for the Blind, was called to order at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024, by President Alan Holst.
President Alan told us we will receive information about the GDB’s Top Dog Competition. Top Dog is a competition created to garner donations to GDB and requires for entry a photo of you and your dog with a short story. We are able to donate to any particular team through a link on our chapter website.
Alan’s goal is to promote more show and tell with products that make life easier for the visually impaired. Alan passed around a Bradley watch with a tactile dial which includes tiny balls to tell you the hour and minute.
Mark R. reported on a clinical trial which has been expanded to cover choroideremia. He was really impressed with the group of professionals, which included Dr. Rebecca Kammer. The study was originally for people who have macular degeneration with low vision and no lens replacement.
Alan reported that we now have an AirTag to make it easier to find the leader of an outing. He will keep the AirTag in his backpack and members need to open “Find My” on their iPhones and ask to be included in the GDB Backpack group.
Treasurer’s Report: We have a total of $3,944.16 in our account. If you donate by check you don’t need to depend on GDB’s sending out a donation receipt.
Tim D. reported on his new smart glasses. They are made by Ray-Ban and cost approximately $300. You can ask “What am I Looking At?” and it will respond appropriately. Since AI is not allowed to describe people, it may give a generic answer. He bought them at the Optical Department of Macy’s. Richard King reported using Voice Vista for GPS. It was reported that Lyft has a feature to select a female driver if you want one. Mark R. has used vouchers from the Senior Center at the City of Cypress to get transportation to the meeting. You must call a day ahead to get a ride but they offer same day pick up as well. Elissa R. is taking notes of the meeting to be posted on our website for those who cannot attend. Volunteers Olivia D. and Mike J. are new to us from Chapman College, and look to be very useful.
Hugo G. gave a demonstration of a vision assistant called “Stellar Trek.” Stellar Trek is from Human Ware, which costs $1500, is good for GPS and is also a print reader.
He also uses Aira for location assistance and Be My Eyes for location assistance. He also uses Lazarillo and Good Maps Outdoors, both apps for GPS.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carla Ross
Secretary, OC Guide Dogs