September is National Guide Dog Month | |
September is National Guide Dog Month. This is a month-long celebration to honor the work of guide dogs and raise awareness, appreciation, and support for guide dog schools across the US. Guide dogs help people with sensory issues such as blindness and provide added mobility and independence for those who might not have such freedoms. Guide dogs were formally trained as early as 1780 when the Les Quinze Vingts Hospital for the Blind in Paris attempted to train the first guide dogs. The first formal training school opened in 1916 in Germany and the first official National Guide Dog Month began in 2009 (originally held in May, it was moved to September due to conflicts with other fundraising drives). | |
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Video: Learn about etiquette for interacting with a person who is blind or visually impaired, as well as tips for when you meet someone with a guide dog.
Source: Guide Dogs for the Blind
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Below are some tips to follow when you encounter someone with a guide dog:
- Never pet, call, talk, feed, whistle to, or otherwise distract a service dog or dog in training. To do so can potentially injure a disabled handler and earn the dog a correction.
- Ignore a service dog or puppy in training. Remember, they are NOT pets; they are being trained to do a vital job.
- If you feel you must pet a service dog or puppy in training, ask first. Do not feel offended if the handler says no. The dog (or handler) might be having a bad day or might be in a hurry.
- Train children to never pet a strange dog – ANY dog – without first asking permission. Teach them to follow your lead.
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Upcoming Ride Roll Stroll Challenge | |
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The Ride Roll Stroll Challenge is back from October 1 to November 2, 2024! Join the challenge to ride transit, bike, walk, or carpool for your chance to win prizes throughout the challenge, including $500, $750, and $1,000 Grand Prizes! One lucky person will win the Early Bird Prize by joining the challenge before October 1! During the challenge, you can compete with friends, neighbors, and colleagues for a top spot on the leaderboards. Compete for a spot on the leaderboard and win prizes by recording the following types of trips:
🚌 Transit: includes the bus, paratransit, micro-transit, train, streetcar, etc.
🚴 Bike: any kind of bicycle, including e-bikes
🚶 Walk: transportation on foot or with a mobility device
👭 Car/vanpool: share the ride in a motor or electric vehicle where the driver is unpaid, including vanpools provided by Commute with Enterprise or your local transit agency
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Participating in the Ride Roll Stroll Challenge is a great way to gear up for the Florida Department of Transportation's 9th Annual Mobility Week, which runs from October 25 through November 2, 2024. Mobility Week is a cooperative effort by FDOT and its partner agencies to promote awareness of safe, multimodal transportation choices. During Mobility Week, counties, cities, and transportation agencies host events and offer special promotions to encourage Floridians to try new transportation options. | | | |
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is updating its 2055 Florida Transportation Plan (FTP). The FTP is a comprehensive, statewide blueprint that guides Florida's 30-year transportation future. Showcasing a collaborative effort of state, regional, and local transportation partners in the public and private sectors, it is updated every five years. The FTP lays the foundation for investments in FDOT’s Work Program and will be a plan that stakeholders can use to develop their transportation plans and strategies. The plan will be developed through Steering Committee guidance, Focus Group support, and comprehensive community engagement (both public and partner engagement). | |
Virtual Open House:
September 16-27, 2024, on the FTP website at www.FloridaFTP.com. The Virtual Open House includes presentation materials for each region and an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas.
Click here for additional opportunities to get involved through in-person regional workshops and virtual rooms. | |
Take the SUN Trail Survey | |
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Trailblazers Wanted! 🔆
If you travel along Florida’s Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) trails, FDOT needs your help! You play an integral role in the development of trail segments. Beginning in September 2024, you’ll find QR-coded signs along the SUN Trails for you to provide input. 📱
If you find a QR code along your route, take a moment to scan it with your phone camera and complete the 1-minute, 5-question survey for the trail. Every QR code is different, so keep scanning! The information you share will inform and support the planning of future bicycle and pedestrian trails. 🌳 Happy Scanning! 🤳🏻
For more information on the SUN Trail network click here.
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reThink Your Commute is a program of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) that offers commuter solutions such as carpooling, vanpooling, biking, and public transit to reduce costs and improve convenience. reThink Your Commute's Commuter Benefit Program may be a great fit for you as an employer as it offers tax-free, qualified transportation fringe benefits for both you and the employee! As an employee or individual, you can earn rewards just by riding transit, biking, walking, or carpooling. You can also use reThink Your Commute's trip planner to explore options for your daily commute or even your favorite event and connect with others to start carpools and vanpools or search for transit options. For more information on the program, check out reThink Your Commute's website. If you are an employer who wants to learn more about the program, contact Ms. Signe Nielsen at signe@rethinkyourcommute.com. | |
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*Meeting held in the Conference Room at River to Sea TPO office, 1 Deuce Court, Suite 100, Daytona Beach
**Meeting held in Airline Room at Daytona Beach International Airport, 700 Catalina Drive, Daytona Beach
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Upcoming TPO Board and
Advisory Committee Activities
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This month, the River to Sea TPO Board and Advisory Committees will take action on the new Volusia-Flagler TPO logo. As we change our name, we will be rebranding the organization, and a new logo will start the process. In addition, the TPO Board and Advisory Committees will receive presentations on the public involvement activities that took place during the last fiscal year (23/24), 2024 Mobility Week, and the Ride Roll Stroll Challenge.
Additional information on TPO Board and Advisory Committee meeting agendas is available at River to Sea TPO Agendas.
Information on the River to Sea TPO's public outreach and activities is available at Outreach & Activities.
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