I couldn't agree more with Rob Powell, policies are all very well but I
bet the policy of 'blind person clearing up own dog deposits' was
written by a sighted person. It really is time we embraced
interdependency as a model instead of independence. Accepting that we
are all interdependent beings and no one is truly independent.
To add to the anecdotes, at this University it was possible find a
caretaker who offered unreservedly to clear up the dog run as part of
his duties, the student bought him chocolate as a thank you every week,
everyone was happy and we didn't need to write a policy on it.
But I know what it's like if you can't find that one generous hearted
person to make the offer, then I believe you revert to paying them.
I hope no-one decides I should start cleaning up after my interpreters -
can you imagine!?

Chris Baxter
0115 848 6163 voice and text
0115 848 4371 fax
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-----Original Message-----
From: Moving-Mountains Technology Limited
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: 02 March 2004 16:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Gudie dog toilet runs

Hi Folks,
I have been asked to submit this from Rob Powell who is a totally blind
guide dog owner. All opinions stated are that of RobPowell and not of
Moving-Mountains Technology Limited.

First there are plenty of precedents  around the country for estates
depts around universities to clear up guide dog runs.  However policies
are not uniform across the sectre by any means.

It's not the responsibility of the GDO (Guide Dog Owner) necessarily to
clear up the mess, but it is the ultimate responsibility of the owner to
organise the clearing up of dog's mess if required to do so.

GDO's are not trained to do it throughout their course, far from it.
Guide dogs do all they can to encourage owners to find someone to help
with this, whether this be partner, relative or friend.

Guide dogs positively discourage owners from trying to clear up on
grass, and only encourage owners to clear up at all where there is no
alternative. Where possible, if the owner is likely to have to be
responsible for clearing up, the dog is trained to relieve on the leash,
making the whole business of finding the business much easier.

This is, I agree, a change from former policy.  I've just finished
training with a new dog, so I've been through the system recently.

As with most things like this, working together to find a solution is
the answer.  Could a student not use some of the non-medical helper
allowance of DSA to fund someone to clear up the dog run?

For those interested, my arrangements appear below for information.

I've a dog, and I have to make arrangements myself to have the run
cleared up.  The difficulty is though, that despite what guide dogs will
tell you, it's not easy, or safe for a blind person to do it. You're
trained to clear the run up using a stick to find the deposits, I've
never yet managed to get all that there were without someone sighted
helping me. I've a private arrangement to get my flat cleaned, and I
simply made it a requirement of the job that the person cleaned the dog
run twice a week. If it needs doing in the mean-time, I get someone to
guide me to the deposits, and pick them up myself.

Rob Powell
[log in to unmask]

Ibby Karbhari - Director
Moving-Mountains Technology Limited
226B Westbourne Park Road, London W11 1EP
Opening Hours: 9AM To 9PM - Monday To Saturday!
Residential Sales: (Local Rate Call Within The UK!) 0845 230 2468
Corporate Sales: 0870 765 1000
Support/General: 0870 765 6000
Fax: 0870 765 6323
Send us an email with "Please call me " in the Subject line, Including
your full name and telephone number in the body of the message and we
will call you back!
Email [log in to unmask]
Visit http://www.moving-mountains.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Denise Connors
Sent: 02 March 2004 15:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Gudie dog toilet runs


We always go by the policy which is, the student owns the dog therefore
they have been trained to and should clear up after the dog.  What we
offer at Coventry is that once a week or fortnight the Bursar would
offer for a member of staff maintenance person, to hose the pen out so
that at least a good clean was carried out every now and then.  If the
student is having problems I suggest they or the disabilities office
contact Guide Dogs for the blind or whoever trained and officially owns
the dog for advice.

Denise Connors

Moving-Mountains Technology Limited wrote:
>
> Nobody else should have to clear up after the guide dog. It is the
> responsibility of the student to clean up as he/she was trained to do
> throughout their training course with the guide dog.
>
> More advice is available from:
> The policy department
> Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, (GDBA)
> Hillfields, Burghfield, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 3YG
> Tel: 0118 9835555 - Fax: 0118 9835433
>
> Ibby Karbhari - Director
> Moving-Mountains Technology Limited
> 226B Westbourne Park Road, London W11 1EP
> Opening Hours: 9AM To 9PM - Monday To Saturday!
> Residential Sales: (Local Rate Call Within The UK!) 0845 230 2468
> Corporate Sales: 0870 765 1000
> Support/General: 0870 765 6000
> Fax: 0870 765 6323
> Send us an email with "Please call me " in the Subject line, Including

> your full name and telephone number in the body of the message and we
> will call you back! Email [log in to unmask]
> . For the latest News and services, Product release, Cube Systems,
> Iridium, Acer, Clevo, IPC Laptops, Downloads, as well as offers from
> M-MT and Internet radio at the press of a button,
> Visit http://www.moving-mountains.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sue Green
> Sent: 02 March 2004 14:29
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Gudie dog toilet runs
>
> Dear all,
>
> One of our blind students has recently got a guide dog. The toilet run

> has been set up on campus but we have a problem identifying who is
> going to clear up the mess. Estates are reluctant unless I can come up

> with a precedent from another university. So please, is there anyone
> out there who's persuaded their Estates Dept to do this?! Any other
> suggestions welcomed.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Sue