[BlindTlk] Calling Out the Counerfeiters

Sun Jun 24 01:08:27 UTC 2018

Please circulate the following message as widely as appropriate.

What: Calling Out the Counterfeiters: The myth, the image, & the law

Where: Rosen shingle Creek & the World Wide Web

                9939 Universal Blvd.

                Panzacola Ballroom F2, Level 1

                Orlando, Florida

                http://www.nagdu.org

When: Tuesday, July 3

Time: 3:30 p.m. EDT 

                Are you concerned about the problem posed by counterfeit
service animals? Would you like to find out what you can do to stem the
problems posed by these untrained dogs? Would you like to learn strategies
you can use when you encounter a person with an obviously untrained dog
where pets are not allowed? The National Association of Guide Dog Users has
a program to help you identify the counterfeiters and keep them out while
protecting yourself against complaints. 

                The National Association of Guide Dog Users is a strong and
proud division of the National Federation of the Blind. We are guide dog
users who know that the best way to stop the counterfeiters is through
education and awareness. These counterfeiters attempt to take advantage of
the civil rights afforded the blind and otherwise disabled through
intimidation and threats of law suits. In doing so, these fraudsters not
only pose a nuisance to the general public, their untrained, out-of-control
dogs threaten the safety and soundness of our highly-trained service dogs,
while calling into question the legitimacy of every genuine service animal
team.

On Tuesday, July 3 from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m., the National Association of Guide
Dog Users will host a live webinar broadcast from the Rosen Shingle Creek in
Orlando, Florida entitled, "Calling Out Counterfeit Service Animals: The
myth, the image, and the law". Facilitated by Marion Gwizdala, president of
the National Association of Guide Dog Users, this workshop will share the
following information:

.         Identifying a legitimate service dog from a counterfeiter 

.          Legally excluding a service dog

.         Protecting yourself from complaints when properly excluding a
service dog

.         Recognizing appropriate behaviors of legitimate service dogs

This program is a must for managers and staff of restaurants, lodging
facilities, retail establishments, medical facilities, transportation
providers, airline personnel, governmental entities, and advocates wanting
to learn more about how they can make an impact on this issue. 

The webinar is presented free of charge as a public service of the National
Association of guide Dog Users. This webinar will be held live at the Rosen
Shingle Creek, located at 9939 Universal Blvd. in Panzacola Ballroom F2,
Level 1 and will be broadcast live  on the world wide web. To join the
webinar, please go to

http://nagdu.org

and click on the "Join the live stream" link at the top of the page. You
will be asked to complete a short registration form to join the webinar and
have access to the materials. For more information about this workshop, the
National Association of Guide Dog Users, or to support our work, please
visit the above website or send an email to info at nagdu.org.

About the Facilitator

                Marion Gwizdala is the President of the National Association
of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU), a strong and proud division of the National
Federation of the Blind. Marion possesses a Master of Science degree in
mental Health Counseling and spent more than twenty years in private
practice. Marion is a published author, accomplished public speaker and
experienced workshop facilitator in the areas of psycho-social aspects of
blindness, service animal policy, and legal issues related to the use of
service animals, as well as on stress management, behavior modification, the
body-mind-spirit connection, and issues of health and wellness. 

Marion has been blind for more than forty years as the result of retinitis
pigmentosa and has been a guide dog user since 1987. He has been involved in
several high profile civil rights cases both as a complainant and an
advocate. He has been instrumental in creating civil rights legislation in
several states and is a recognized leader in the blindness and service/guide
dog users' movements. Marion blends his knowledge and real-life experience
with a touch of humor to help others overcome their perceived limitations,
as well as underscore the need for increased awareness and more effective
enforcement of the laws designed to allow all citizens - including those who
are disabled - to more fully participate insociety on terms of equality. His
clients have included Hillsborough County, Hillsborough Area Regional
Transit Authority, Miami-Dade County, St. Petersburg College, the University
of South Florida, the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR),
Johns-Hopkins University Hospital, and the Illinois Attorney General's
Office.

The National Association of Guide Dog Users expresses our sincere gratitude
to the following sponsors that make this seminar possible:

We thank accessible 360 for their fifth year of generous support providing
our live stream and recording for the world to join our seminar and annual
meeting, making it available to those who could not join us in person!

Alpha Dog Sponsor 

Carl Oehmke

Traveling Paws Sponsors 

On the Go by Julie Johnson (Continuing sponsor)

Ray of Sunshine Empowerment Services LLC

RuffWear (Continuing sponsor) 

Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida

Harness Up Sponsors 

Mobile Vet Clinic of Brandon (Continuing sponsor)

Texas Association of Guide Dog Users (Continuing sponsor)

Marion Gwizdala, President

National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)

National Federation of the Blind

(813) 626-2789

President at NAGDU.ORG

Visit our website <http://nagdu.org/> 

Follow us on Twitter <http://twitter.com/nagdu> 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind  people
and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds
you back.