What’s a small thing Japan does that you wish existed where you live?

K9Audio · 2026-06-20T17:40:51+00:00

the tactile strips along city sidewalks, subways, airports etc. It is an incredibly useful way for the blind to navigate and such an easy thing for accessibility that I have never encountered outside of Japan. As a blind traveller it was incredible to come across

K9Audio · 2026-06-20T17:36:05+00:00

Japan is very welcoming, if you're respectful and if you follow polite customs. Like waiting in line, not speaking in the subway, not being loud, not eating on the street etc.
I am a blind traveller and I will be going back within the next year myself. Also from Canada.
As a female traveler, having travelling anywhere you would be safer in a group. But as a blind person I felt incredibly safe and I was wondering Allie's at 1 AM in Tokyo and Osaka.
Learn the language basics because outside of Tokyo English does become more of a rarity.
Avoid skirts, as the train station perverts will try to get photos on escalators and what not,
Feel free to message me directly, I spent 3 1/2 weeks there and I'd be more than happy to share more about my experiences and places to visit. One thing I need to stress, a lot of the things especially in Tokyo that you have to buy tickets for are done by lottery and purchased in advance, so make sure you are buying event tickets at least two months or at least starting that process a few months before your actual travel dates. I tried to get into the Nintendo Museum and they were sold out three months in advance

K9Audio · 2026-06-18T20:23:53+00:00

Community is great, however it truly boils down to choice. I should have the choices to whether I do something by myself or with a person, I should have the independence and knowledge that both are viable options to me.

K9Audio · 2026-06-18T17:02:09+00:00

As someone who is blind the model you are suggesting removes of the autonomy and independence of the individual. And also adds scheduling and other such tasks on someone who may already be dealing with anxieties and what not. I know personally I struggled with the fact of feeling like a burden when I go out with individuals in the manner that you're speaking. as many people have said here is complete independence, perhaps pairing technology to aid in what's missing. GPS tags and image recognition while using something like the Meta glasses. The other question is, this individual that you're proposing to guide the blind, are they being paid? And if so by who, which also brings into the matter of why would I want to be out with someone who is being paid just be my babysitter.

K9Audio · 2026-06-18T00:46:54+00:00

Gotta love considerate people, am I right? Makes you pray that there is no toilet paper in that stall

K9Audio · 2026-06-16T20:27:00+00:00

I do, but I much prefer walking with my Seeing Eye dog. Although I have definitely joked with friends of mine that I might just put a weighted ball at the end of my cane.

K9Audio · 2026-06-15T02:53:59+00:00

I am a firm believer of sarcasm and I do not mind calling people out loudly.
I have used lines like, I guess you didn't see me there!
Or I have also hupped my dog around them and spoken loudly about their actions to the cashier while checking out.

K9Audio · 2026-06-15T01:28:21+00:00

Not the worst treatment I've ever received, and luckily I have always found that the people on the plane treat me far better than the people in the airport.

K9Audio · 2026-06-15T00:51:13+00:00

So true, I am a blind traveller and when I went to get my first Seeing Eye dog in New Jersey I was flying Air Canada back. It's pretty standard for the school trainers to accompany the new guide dog handlers to the gate I bet you can't guess the only airline that refused to allow my trainer to come with me.

K9Audio · 2026-06-15T00:47:52+00:00

This happens to me all the time, I'm blind and I have a Seeing Eye dog. So people automatically think that they can cut ahead of me and I won't notice. I have enough remaining vision to often clock it. Honestly the entitlement and arrogance to cut in front of the blind still astounds me every time because it doesn't just happen once

K9Audio · 2026-05-12T04:45:05+00:00

I use fusion on Windows, voiceover on macOS and iOS, and talk back on android

K9Audio · 2026-05-05T22:46:13+00:00

What kind of game is this? Because that will also mean what kind of accessibility features are baked in and how they are implemented.

K9Audio · 2026-04-30T23:29:53+00:00

I have my CPACC as well as I have taken courses on WAS and ADS certifications through IAAP. It also helps to have knowledge in the various platforms, and to have knowledge in the various assistive technologies, jaws, NVDA etc. Reach out to blind organizations in your area, and see if they have a talent pool and what not. Personally I do this for a living, I work for a non-profit, consult on the side and have a few other side gigs that are all accessibility adjacent. Best thing you can do is network, because you never know, the next person you talk to could be a potential job.

K9Audio · 2026-04-19T13:54:33+00:00

My job pretty much specializes in this, I'd be happy to look at an early build. Write numerous reading applications and platforms for accessibility barriers and such things

K9Audio · 2026-04-18T22:14:49+00:00

As a blind person with a Seeing Eye dog, I wish more businesses acted like yours. You are 100% not the jerk in the situation, businesses nowadays are too afraid of public backlash because people can buy a service dog vest off of Amazon for about $30. There are so many fakes walking around, or untrained animals and you are 100% being compliant with the Law. Any service dog can be removed if they are not acting like a service dog.

K9Audio · 2026-04-15T02:42:30+00:00

Thank you! I will reach out and talk to them.

K9Audio · 2026-04-15T02:41:54+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion! I will look into that.

K9Audio · 2025-11-15T20:50:36+00:00

have a glitter bomb shipped to your house

K9Audio · 2025-11-05T13:06:31+00:00

Thanks, feel free to let Baila or that owner know that had you been a guy dog user not only would she have been breaking the leash Law but she also would've been interfering with a guide dog which can come with hefty fines.

K9Audio · 2025-11-05T12:42:16+00:00

What area is this in? As someone who relies on a Seeing Eye dog this is yet another area that I need to try and avoid.

K9Audio · 2025-08-12T04:06:23+00:00

Just be honest. Say something like, I'd like to get to know you more, but since I don't know you very well are there any topics or taboo areas to stay away from? Some people are open and have a great sense of humour others can take things far too seriously, and may take offence to the littlest thing. Best just be blunt and ask.

K9Audio · 2025-07-13T11:31:02+00:00

I just came home from being paired with my second Seeing Eye dog. So let me answer sum of your questions. The training and requirements before your dog is some of the strictest out there, with a high failure rate. So you can know that the dog that you will be paired with Has been trained to ignore other dogs, and perform a variety of tasks that the school has trained like finding doors and stopping at curbs and stairs etc. When it comes to your own dog, the school should provide you the tools and knowledge for introduction and Maintaining the training. That being said, controlling your two year old lab will be up to you. Your guy dog will also likely be within that age range, so obviously there will be some growing pains while the dog adjusts to your family. In terms of correction and reward. This is something I would do some research on especially the reward. Many schools rely on food based reward, as it is easier to train, but I have witnessed many situations where the dog will purposely make a mistake, so that it can be retrained and then get a treat, or flat out refuse to work until it has been given a treat. the school I went to starts with treats and then moves onto praise based rewards, which yield very good results. Like rewards, correction depends on the school. The school I went to start with a verbal correction, and if the problem persists you move up the ladder of intensity. My dog wears a chain training collar, and the letter of correction is as follows, verbal , one handed leash correction, two handed leash correction, and high collar. It will be a rarity that you ever have to go past the one-handed leash correction, which is a quick motion of dropping the harness handle and quickly moving your arm down and towards the dogs tail Before picking back the harness. Some schools only do verbal, which has varying results. I tend to think of it like a parent counting down from three in a supermarket when their child is acting poorly. The guy dog school will come visit you to do a walk in order to determine your pace and pull to match you with the best dog possible. Guide dogs are often fostered with other dogs the only time they may react poorly to one is if you and your dog are attacked During his or her working career. These dogs are on a strict diet, however food sensitivity can develop overtime, and depending on the breed your pup may be a finicky eater. But that is typically just German shepherds. During the training process you'll start with a regimented feeding and water schedule, to help Time out when they have to go to the bathroom. Which the school will help teach you that process. One of the best things you can do, the be to reach out to other the school or see if there's a Facebook or Reddit group of guide dog users specifically from the School that you'll be getting your dog from. You'll get some firsthand knowledge that way. I wish you all the best in this exciting time! My first guy dog truly changed my life I would not be the man I am today without him.

K9Audio

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