Basic Prerequisites
Age
Applicants must be 16-19 years of age.
Legal Blindness
An applicant must be "legally blind". Legal blindness, defined as: a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correction or restriction in the visual field of less than 20 degrees.
Orientation and Mobility
Applicants must have successfully completed a course in basic Orientation and Mobility (cane travel training) OR we must independently verify that the applicant has sufficient "self-taught" skills. Applicants must be physically able to spend several hours a day walking. In order for Trekker or other GPS devices to give accurate information, applicants should be able to walk at a minimum of (2) miles per hour.
A G.P.S. unit does not give a person these skills. A GPS system is designed as an ORIENTATION AID only, and must not, at any time, be used as the only aid while traveling. A conventional mobility aid should also be used. A GPS system is NOT a MOBILITY device. It is the user’s responsibility to use this device with caution.
Orientation and Mobility training can be obtained from State Services, federal agencies, VA centers or from private providers. If you have difficulty locating an agency in your area, please call (248) 650-7111, Student Services, for assistance. Independent verification of self-taught skills may be handled by an Orientation and Mobility evaluation by a "third party" O&M professional, by a visit to the applicant by a Leader Dog instructor or Field Representative or through the use of a video.
How to Apply
To apply, complete the indicated components listed below.
Application: Complete the basic application and video of Orientation and Mobility skills. When finalists are selected they will be asked to complete the remaining portions of the application: Medical History and Physical Examination, Eye Care Professional Information, Orientation and Mobility Evaluation, and Consent to Release.
Essay: To complete the essay, please answer the essay question and include the following additional information in the narrative: date preference for when you would like to attend camp, a description of your O&M skills, and a story about a favorite O&M experience.
Essay Question: Where would you go if you had a Trekker?
Applications, videos and essays are due by March 31st, 2008. Finalists will be notified by April 15th, 2008. If submitting applications and essays electronically, please mail to Tech@leaderdog.org. If mailing applications and essays, please mail to Consumer Services, Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester, MI 48307-3115.
The Application
The Application is in two parts: general information with a video demonstrating Orientation and Mobility Skills and the essay.
General Information
Please date the application and supply as much detailed information as possible. Please enclose a recent picture if one is available. Orientation and Mobility information should include the name of the organization and/or instructor, address and at least the year training was obtained.
On the back of the application the applicant must supply three (3) references. References should be individuals who know the applicant well. Please avoid listing immediate family members. The best references are those who have worked with the applicant in a professional capacity of some sort.
Videos
Leader Dog has been using videos to help determine an applicant's suitability for training in all of our programs. We require all applications be accompanied by a video of the applicant. This video should be ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes in length. It should include the applicant traveling independently. They should cross at least two (2) streets and make a variety of turns. Obviously some folks may live in areas where corners and crossings are few and far between, if this is the case, a video showing the applicant walking down the sidewalk or along the edge of the road is sufficient. These videos are also important in allowing the trainers/instructors to get to know an approved applicant even before they arrive for training.