I launched Adventures in Low Vision six years ago. Thanks for being a part of it by reading and sharing along the way. Let’s celebrate with a little vocab pop quiz. I sourced the best answers from general google results plus light editing. Ok, open your test booklets.
What is a service dog?
A. The phrase on the vest I bought so my pet can go places I feel like taking him. When my pet acts out, I don’t consider the impact it has on real service animals and the people who use them.
B. A dog that provides service to an individual with a disability like pulling a wheelchair, medical alert, PTSD, seizure alert and more. Federal Law and the American Disability Act allow Service Dogs to have full access to all public places.
C. A dog that works all the time.
What is audio description?
A. The play-by-play by sportscasters.
B. It is subtitles, a transcript of spoken lines.
C. It is the descriptive narration of key visual elements of live theatre, television, movies, and other media to enhance enjoyment by consumers who are blind or have low vision.
What is a curb cut?
A. After a terrible break up, it’s the slice of cake you eat.
B. It is a small ramp built into the curb of a sidewalk to make it easier for people using strollers or wheelchairs to pass from the sidewalk to the road.
C. It is a thing that only helps people with disabilities.
What is a screen reader?
A. It is software used to echo text on a computer screen to audio output, often used by people who are blind, with visual impairments, or with learning disabilities.
B. It is anti-virus software.
C. It is software that should be available in the voice of Keith Morrison.
What does blind mean?
A. It means no light perception, ever.
B. It is only another word for drunk.
C. It means you are unable to perceive clearly, whether temporarily, intermittently, or permanently.
What is universal design?
A. It is the design of buildings, products or environments to make them accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability or other factors.
B. It is a colossal waste of money.
C. It was not a topic on one of my favorite podcasts, 99% Invisible.
Answer sheet:
B, C, B, A, C, A.
Adventures in Low Vision 
Fake service dogs. “Borrowing” someone else’s parking permit. When is it going to stop? As I start down the curb cut in my prosthetic body, aka wheelchair, throngs of walkers join me rather than stepping off the curb. We are all involved, and all benefit from universal design.
You got it, George.
Recently I had some surgery — not on my eyes, which are stable, but on my ankle and foot. During a post-surgery period I went with my scooter to a wonderful musical at the National Theatre in Washington, DC. I was shocked that there is not a curb cut in front of the theatre. Cars come and go and pick up people, but the only way to get a curb cut is to navigate along the sidewalk to the corners of the city block. The National is smack in the middle of a block. I had a good friend who helped me navigate the curb, but it was incredibly irritating and worrisome when I held onto the car on one side and my friend on the other and hopped down on my good let. Shame on the National Theatre!
Things can go unnoticed unless we need them. Thanks, Marti.
I’ve shown so many people the two-finger pull down on iPhones to read webpages. Many people that see well appreciate it and never knew it was there. It is wonderful how many things that start out for accessibility such as curb cut outs become appreciated by everyone. I think it is awful the way people abuse the service dog label. It does real harm and the people that do it are so selfish. This was in USA Today newspaper: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2018/02/22/emotional-support-dog-bites-child-southwest-flight-debate-animals-airlines/362759002/
Good design benefits all. Thanks, Casee.