[Blindtlk] Quick introduction and a question for pet owners

[Marion Gwizdala]

Lucy,
	It is unfortunate that such discrimination still exists, in spite of
the fact that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been in effect
for nearly 24 years! If I were you, I would take your concern to your
county's attorney and share with them the following excerpt from the ADA.

SEC. 202. DISCRIMINATION. 42 USC 12132.

Subject to the provisions of this title, no qualified individual with a
disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from
participation in
or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a
public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.


	I have a great deal of experience advocating for those facing
discrimination, albeit in the guide dog users' realm, and would be happy to
have a little chat with the director of the shelter if you are unable to
resolve this yourself. My contact information is below my signature. 

Fraternally yours,

Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc.
National Federation of the Blind
(813) 626-2789
(888) 624-3841 (Hotline)
President at nagdu.org
http://www.nagdu.org

High expectations create unlimited potential for the blind!


-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lucy
Sirianni via blindtlk
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 12:08 PM
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindtlk] Quick introduction and a question for pet owners

Hi all,

      I'm Lucy, a doctoral student and graduate student instructor in the
English department at the University of California, Berkeley, and a new
member of this list.  I wanted to reach out to this group to ask for
suggestions regarding a situation I'm currently attempting to resolve.  Over
the weekend, I contacted a local animal shelter who had indicated a need for
foster homes for its animals, thinking this would be something I'd enjoy
doing and knowing I met all of the specified qualifications.  The staff
member I talked to initially expressed a lot of interest and immediately
matched me with a cat who seemed like a great fit with me and who was going
to be euthanized in a matter of days if no one stepped forward to take her
(unlikely, I was told, since she's on the older side).  I was eager to meet
this cat and seriously consider taking her into my home, but when I happened
to mention to the staff member in charge that I am blind, she became
concerned and is now uncertain of my ability to care for the cat.  Her main
concern is that I may not be able to keep the cat from leaving my house,
despite the fact that I have explained to her in detail the measures I would
take to ensure the cat's safety and assured her that I have countless blind
friends who routinely and successfully care for animals.  I've told her that
I would plan to have a bell on the cat's collar so I'd consistently know
where she was, as well as my name and contact information so that she could
be returned if she were ever to get lost; I've also suggested that, before
leaving my home, I simply place the cat in a comfortable area from which she
wouldn't have access to the entrance to my apartment.  This is all in
addition to pointing out the rather obvious fact that vision can't in fact
keep a cat indoors and that sighted pet owners have to deal with similar
worries.  I would welcome hearing from blind cat owners who may be able to
suggest other techniques or allow me to mention their situations in further
conversations with the people in charge at the shelter.  I'd hate to see
this cat end up dying because of ignorance surrounding blindness.

Thanks, everyone, and I very much look forward to being a part of this
group!

Lucy

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