Guide Network Germany—blind athletes can find their guide on this portal. Introduction, use, and experiences with the guide network.

Description

The presentation is about the “Guidenetzwerk Deutschland” (German Guide Network). It is a registration and referral portal that gives blind athletes the opportunity to search for and contact their own guide independently, free of charge, regardless of where they live or which club they belong to, so that they can practice sports together in tandem.

Every blind person should be able to pursue their hobby, sport. To this end, the guide network provides a platform on which volunteer guides offer their accompanying services. Participants will be introduced to the “Guidenetzwerk Deutschland” tool and its possible applications and uses will be explained. Blind people who would like to pursue a sporting activity but lack the appropriate accompaniment now know what they can do to get some fresh air, exercise, and, if necessary, take part in competitions. No prior knowledge is required.

Speaker

Juliana Löffler & Johannes-Reinhard Hupe

Juliana Löffler and her partner have been appointed by the association, LAC Eichsfeld e.V., to establish, maintain, and further develop the association’s project, the German Guide Network, as well as to organize and conduct guide training courses throughout Germany.

Johannes-Reinhard Hupe is chairman of LAC Eichsfeld e.V. and, together with the first representative, is responsible for the interests of the German Guide Network. As a person with a disability (a fully blind athlete), he is particularly involved in the practical training of guides as part of the guide training courses.