[BlindTlk] Response & Reply concerning Canine Heroes Auction

Thu Oct 11 05:19:14 UTC 2018

Dear Fellow Federationist,

                I would like to share the exchange I have had with Christine
Benninger, Chief Executive Officer for Guide Dogs for the Blind. It seems as
if GDB has received a number of messages opposing the use of simulation
during this event, as they have opted to respond to me and everyone else
with the same form letter. Please see below for their canned reply and my
response.

Fraternally yours,

Marion Gwizdala 

From: Chris Benninger [mailto:cbenninger at guidedogs.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2018 8:34 PM
To: president at nagdu.org
Cc: board at nagdu.org; officeofthepresident at nfb.org
Subject: RE: Concerning Canine Heroes Auction

Dear Mr. Gwizdala -

Thank you for your thoughts regarding our upcoming gala fundraising event,
the Canine Heroes Auction. I do appreciate your perspective on dining in the
dark.  We are taking this piece of our program very seriously as we want to
make sure it is a positive, educational experience for all involved. We
absolutely do not want this to be a stunt, which has been an issue with
other attempts from various organizations in the past.  Our intent with this
portion of our program is to give participants a carefully curated
opportunity to better understand what it may be like to live with a visual
impairment. We want participants to realize that there is nothing to fear,
because at the end of the day who you are has nothing to do with what you
can, or cannot see.  Our hope is that at the end of the sensory journey, the
group will not only have a deeper appreciation for their other senses but
will also feel more comfortable when interacting with persons with varying
degrees of vision loss.  

At GDB we have a long history of using occlusion for educational purposes.
In fact, our apprentice instructors spend a great deal of time under
sleep-shade while learning the skills they need to be a guide dog
instructor.   We believe our experience in this area will allow us to
successfully execute a respectful and meaningful activity for all.

At the upcoming gala, the very short presentation, a sensory journey, is
more of a celebration of all of our senses rather than a deprivation of
sight. All guests will be instructed on dining in the dark and the program
will include some orientation techniques to help guide them through the
first course of dinner.  We are designing the experience to be educational,
impactful, and memorable. 

Best regards -

Christine Benninger

From: president at nagdu.org [mailto:president at nagdu.org] 
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2018 1:04 AM
To: 'Chris Benninger'
Cc: board at nagdu.org; officeofthepresident at nfb.org
Subject: RE: Concerning Canine Heroes Auction
Importance: High

Dear Ms. Benninger,

            I would typically open a response to a message I send by
thanking you for your reply; however, It is unfortunate that you have chosen
to respond to the concerns of the oldest and largest organization of the
blind in the United States with a form letter. We took the time to write a
thoughtful letter respectfully asking you to reconsider the value of the
blindness simulation exercise knowing that removing it from your fund
raising activity would make no difference in the bottom line outcome of the
event.  The choice to respond to our position with a canned response
demonstrates a dismissive, disrespectful attitude discounting our real life
experiences and legitimate concerns.

It is obvious you did not take the time to read the information we provided
to you. If you would have done so, you might not have stated, "Our hope is
that at the end of the sensory journey, the group will not only have a
deeper appreciation for their other senses but will also feel more
comfortable when interacting with persons with varying degrees of vision
loss", research of simulation exercises reveal that participants felt more
confused, embarrassed, helpless, and more anxious than before the simulation
exercise. They were also more likely to feel more grateful that they were
not disabled, dread the thought of becoming disabled, and report feeling
less comfortable with the prospect of interacting with disabled people in
the future. The simulations not only made people feel negatively about
disability but could also hurt their future interpersonal interactions with
a disabled person. (Nario-Redmond, Gospodinov, & Cobb, 2017)
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rep0000127>  

            Your form letter further states, "At GDB we have a long history
of using occlusion for educational purposes. In fact, our apprentice
instructors spend a great deal of time under sleep-shade while learning the
skills they need to be a guide dog instructor." As I stated in my original
message, the National Federation of the Blind affirms the value of using
learning shades to teach the skills of blindness to those with residual
eyesight in order to master the nonvisual techniques to live a productive
independent life. We also know and understand the apprehension some feel
donning learning shades for the first time as they begin their training. As
they master the techniques of blindness, this apprehension gives way to
confidence and a higher sense of self-esteem and the resulting independence
the skills are meant to instill. It is not something that happens in a few
minutes but over a period of time. I believe you inadvertently validate this
point when you state your apprentice instructors spend a great deal of time
under learning shades. Expecting your contributors to come away with a
positive view of blindness after a few minutes under learning shades is as
unrealistic as putting an untrained pilot in a cockpit and expecting a safe
flight. 

            We want to once again urge you to remove the simulation exercise
from your fund raising activity and consider substituting an activity in
which independent, competent blind people demonstrate the nonvisual
techniques they use, especially how confidently they travel with a
well-trained guide dog. We believe this activity would better represent the
mission and goals of Guide Dogs for the Blind and demonstrate the message
that blindness is not the characteristic that defines us or our future. We
understand making this change at such a late time in the planning might
create some logistical challenges; however, it would strongly and clearly
communicate the integrity of Guide Dogs for the Blind and its desire to do
what is right for its consumers. 

With kind regards,

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.

 <http://www.guidedogs.com/> Guide Dogs for the Blind

Guide Dogs for the Blind 

Christine Benninger  |  President & CEO

cbenninger at guidedogs.com |  415.492.4188 <tel:+4154924188> 
350 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, CA 94903 
 <http://www.guidedogs.com/> GuideDogs.com 

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