[Blindtlk] What Is NAGDU Doing Anyway?

[Marion & Martin]

Please feel free to disseminate this message as widely as appropriate!

    I recently received a message asking what the National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of Guide Dog Users was doing to educate the public on issues of guide dog use and access. I felt the question was a valid one that deserved a reply. Furthermore, I felt this message needed to be addressed to a wider audience than the writer and the email list to which it was sent. Therefore, I have taken the time to write a response and send it on to the various lists to which I am subscribed. I hope this message helps to answer the question, as well as motivates others to get involved in our important work. After all, if we are to make a real difference in the lives of the blind and of guide dog users, it will take our concerted, collective action to make it happen. Here is what I wrote:

January 18, 2010

        You ask some very good questions, so I hope I can give you an equally good reply! The National Federation of the Blind has been educating the masses since 1940, while the National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) has been at it since 1985,  and will
continue its efforts. We put the word out in several forums, such as the Braille Monitor, harness Up (our NAGDU newsletter, topical brochures, such as "Meeting a Working Guide Dog Team (Item # LBG12P, available through the Independence Market)", news releases and the resulting
articles, hosting and participating in public events, networking with major companies, encouraging education when incidents of discrimination occur, and one-on-one discussions. We maintain several websites on blindness-related issues, including our own site

HTTP://NFB-NAGDU.ORG

This website provides access to a summary of
all of the United States laws concerning access to service animals, including those of each of the  states, as well as some from other countries. This website also has a recording of a teleseminar entitled "Guide Dogs in Hospitals and Other Health Care Facilities" which  was conducted on November 22. The website is a dynamic site with new information being added on a regular basis. This is just a few of the things we have done in the past to help educate the public and service animal users. 
    One of the current major projects of the National Association of Guide Dog Users is our national Education & Advocacy Hotline. This project is being designed to provide educational information to callers concerning the training and use of guide dogs, as well as information about our rights of access under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, The Air carrier Access Act, and state law. This hotline will also afford those who are facing discrimination to speak with a trained advocate to assist in the amicable, speedy resolutions of their access issues.
    Once this hotline is tested and working properly, we will disseminate information through our many partner networks, including the media. We are also planning to make double-sided decals businesses can put on their doors announcing "Service Animals Welcome", informational cards with industry-specific information concerning access, such as for airline personnel, taxi drivers, restaurants & hotels, and hospitals, about access to these places. We are also investigating items of interest to service animal users, such as bag dispensers, harness pouches, and backstraps, emblazoned with our logo, name, and hotline number.
    The challenge we have with education is the element of free will with which we are all endowed. There is no way to force an individual to learn the information with which we present them nor to change their behavior given this information. For this reason, our educational efforts sometimes necessitate litigation and the introduction of measures that include penalties for failure to comply with social norms, such as fines and incarceration. For instance, we are currently working with the Illinois Attorney General's office to require Baxter Worldwide to allow service animal users their legal right to be accompanied by their animals while donating blood and plasma, a practice they currently forbid in violation of Federal laws. We are working with a private attorney in a case involving a condominium association in Florida that is harrassing a guide dog user because of her choice to use a service animal. We are also encouraging guide dog schools to implement policies that would transfer ownership of guide dogs, as well as all of the rights and privileges associated with these rights to the individual upon graduation.  
    I hope this message has helped you understand that the National Association of Guide Dog Users and the National Federation of the Blind are 
making a concerted effort to educate the public about the issues of concern faced by the blind, in general, and guide dog users, in particular. We realize that the best way to make change is through collective action. Working cooperatively with a common purpose and toward a common goal is the fundamental reason the National Federation of the Blind was formed. Guided by our philosophy of independence and self-determination, we are the moving, primary force in the lives of the blind. This status is not borne out of self-grandizing nor resulting in complacency; rather, it is a historical fact and the result of our hard work and determination, while an energizing force to move us forward. We are, after all, a movement with all of the dynamic elements this term implies! "Come! Join me on the barricades and we will make it all come true!"
    If you or someone you know would like more information about the National Association of Guide Dog Users and the National Federation of the Blind, please feel free to get in touch with us. Our contact information is below my signature.

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU)
National Federation of the Blind
813-626-2789
President at NFB-NAGDU.ORG



----- Original Message -----
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <
albert at myblindspot.org>

To: "'Marion & Martin'" <
swampfox1833 at verizon.net>

Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 8:40 PM
Subject: RE: [Nyagdu] Legislative Consideration

> Well what is being done in the way of education which would certainly end
> these many instances where as posted herein, denied access or where hours
> are lost by educating others in a baptism by fire approach.  What is the
> organization  doing in the way of education on this front? How effective
> is
> it if we are still revisiting these same issues year after year? As a new
> comer, it would seem to me that while there might be an educational
> component to what is done, it does not seem at all effective. Is there a
> standard curriculum for lack of a better word which I could review to get
> answers on this matter? Who is conducting the education of politicians,
> corporate America, law enforcement, schools, business owners, etc?  it is
> one thing to include the thought of education  in a resolution it is
> another
> to have the resolve to educate and inform. Ignorance is bliss, but not
> when
> ignorance impedes on others rights and privileges.
>
> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
> CEO/Founder
> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> New York, New York  10004
>
www.myblindspot.org
>
PH: 917-553-0347
> Fax: 212-858-5759
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it."
>
>
> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Marion & Martin [mailto:swampfox1833 at verizon.net]
> Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 5:48 PM
> To: Albert J Rizzi
> Subject: Re: [Nyagdu] Legislative Consideration
>
> Albert,
>    I appreciate your input. At the same time, education is always a factor
> in everything we do. For this reason, we don't really need a resolution to
> create an educational initiative; however, if one reads any of our
> resolutions, this is always an element of each one of them.
>
> fraternally yours,
> Marion
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <
albert at myblindspot.org>

> To: "'Marion & Martin'" <
swampfox1833 at verizon.net>

> Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 1:23 PM
> Subject: RE: [Nyagdu] Legislative Consideration
>
>
>> Perhaps in addition my friend, we could pass a resolution  which promotes
>> a
>> national focus on education.  Educating people on the law and the reasons
>> they are in place would be a wonderful thing I could support as a
>> resolution
>> and as an agenda for this organization  with the power to lobby and
>> mobilize.  Mitigation should be a key focus in our work. Education of
>> this
>> and other issues would better serve the ignorant rather then passing or
>> supporting more legislation which will be ignored ultimately and thereby
>> perpetuate ignorance rather then shed light and meaning on these landmark
>> efforts.  I could not support another resolution  which did not include a
>> sit down with state and federal power houses to ask them to help us
>> educate
>> all people like you and merry are doing every day. To give all people the
>> power and tools to quote laws and citations which when shared as you and
>> merry do so well and so completely that the ice cream parlors and
>> disrespectful  car services and transit officials are a distant memory of
>> what used to be rather then allowing them to continue on and just be.
>>
>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>> CEO/Founder
>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>> New York, New York  10004
>>
www.myblindspot.org
>>
PH: 917-553-0347
>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who
>> is
>> doing it."
>>
>>
>> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Marion & Martin [mailto:swampfox1833 at verizon.net]
>> Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 9:29 AM
>> To: Albert J Rizzi
>> Subject: Re: [Nyagdu] Legislative Consideration
>>
>> Albert et al,
>>    With tonhue in cheek, I m anxiously awaiting my 100-pound German
>> Shepherd! (grin) I already get the "You don't look blind!" thing all too
>> often. In fact, when I was working a guide, I often heard, "that man is
>> training that dog for some poor blind person!" or words to that effect. I
>> can imagine the difficulties I will encounter with a huge black Shepherd!
>>    As for your question about whether working this from a state or
>> federal
>> level, I believe it would not only be easier to gain passage of state
>> measures, the remedies under the state's judicial system can be stronger
>> and
>>
>> more expedient!I believe our first step should be the introduction of a
>> resolution at convention in order to make this an organizational
>> initiative.
>>
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <
albert at myblindspot.org>

>> To: "'Marion & Martin'" <
swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
; "'New York
>> Association
>> of Guide Dog Users'" <
nyagdu at nfbnet.org>

>> Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 11:44 AM
>> Subject: RE: [Nyagdu] Legislative Consideration
>>
>>
>>> Boy oh boy, merry has had a tough go of it as of late.  I would whole
>>> heartedly support any measure to extend the types of protections as are
>>> afforded in Florida.  It should be unlawful to represent ones self or
>>> their
>>> animal as individuals  or animals afforded protection under the ADA.
>>> Perhaps we could start a nation wide campaign to ask all states to adopt
>>> legislation like that of Florida. Consistency from state to state would
>>> be
>>
>>> a
>>> key factor and should be a concern included in our dialogues going
>>> forward.
>>> I would be all to happy to open a conversation with the proper state
>>> officials here in new york to start that ball rolling when appropriate.
>>> Would you think that addressing this issue as a violation of the ADA
>>> would
>>> be best addressed at the federal level or the state?
>>>
>>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>>> CEO/Founder
>>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>>> New York, New York  10004
>>>
www.myblindspot.org
>>>
PH: 917-553-0347
>>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who
>>> is
>>> doing it."
>>>
>>>
>>> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From:
nyagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nyagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf
>>> Of Marion & Martin
>>> Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 11:11 AM
>>> To: FLAGDU List
>>> Cc: NYAGDU List; NAGDU List
>>> Subject: [Nyagdu] Legislative Consideration
>>>
>>> Dear All,
>>>    Last week, someone claiming protection under the ADA brought what
>>> they
>>> purported to be a service animal onto a Hillsborough Area Regional
>>> Transit
>>> (HART) vehicle and this animal bit the employee. Though we are unclear
>>> about
>>> all of the circumstances, such as if it was a fixed route or para
>>> transit
>>> vehicle or if the dog was a legitimate service animal, the incident has
>>> caused some issues.
>>>    When Merry was coming home from her internship last Wednesday, the
>>> operator told her she needed to provide documentation for Kappie, which
>>> she
>>> refused to do. He refused to move the vehicle while he contacted the
>>> dispatcher. ITM, Merry called me concerning this. When I called the
>>> dispatcher, I was told that HART had implemented a new policy that "all
>>> animals, including service animals, must show proof of vaccination" (his
>>> words). I advised him that such a policy was in violation of the ADA, to
>>> which he asserted it was not. When I asked him if he was an attorney, he
>>> said he was not but he would be happy to transfer me to HART's legal
>>> counsel. He also told me that Merry could ride this time, but would need
>>> to
>>> provide such documentation  of vaccination the next time she traveled.
>>>    I left a message for HART's counsel, Sylvia Berrien,  and received a
>>> return call the following morning. I have discussed this issue with Ms.
>>> Berrien, with HART's  Director of Customer Service, Sylvia Castillo, and
>>> Katherine Eagan, HART's Chief of Route Development, all of whom
>>> apologized
>>> for the incident, assured me that there was no such policy, and
>>> immediately
>>> issued a memorandum to all HART operators concerning this.
>>>    This all leads me to the subject of this message. Florida statute
>>> 316.1301, Commonly known as the "White Cane Law", states in paragraph
>>> (1),
>>> "It is unlawful for any person, unless totally or partially blind or
>>> otherwise incapacitated, while on any public street or highway, to carry
>>> in
>>> a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in
>>> color or white tipped with red. A person who is convicted of a violation
>>> of
>>> this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree". In
>>> addition to this incident (HART seems to believe this animal was not a
>>> service animal under the definition of the ADA), we have encountered
>>> others
>>> claiming their pets were service animals in order to gain access with
>>> them.
>>>    How would you feel about a measure to create a criminal penalty for
>>> those who pass their pets off as service animals in order to gain access
>>> with them, similar to those provisions mentioned above? I am also
>>> circulating this message to other affiliate divisions and to the NAGDU
>>> list
>>> to gain input on this issue. All comments are invited!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Fraternally yours,
>>>
>>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>>>
>>> National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>
>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
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>>>
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>>>
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>>
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>>>
>>
>