[BlindTlk] [BlTlk] FW: [NFB-NAGDU] NAGDU's response concerning the recent discussions about Southeastern Guide Dogs

Wed Mar 10 16:46:35 UTC 2021

Hi Peter and everyone,

I hope all of you are doing well. An individual with a disability whether it is blindness, cancer, diabetes, or any other conditions should be allowed to use a guide dog for independent travel. I am proud of everyone who has chosen to leave Nagdu or the National Federation Of The Blind regardless of the reason. The President and Nagdu's Board of Directors should be ashamed of their behavior concerning this issue. I hope that both Les and Reverend Blake receive a personal apology from Southeastern Guide Dogs and the Nfb.

On Mar 10, 2021 10:56 AM, Peter Donahue via BlindTlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
Good morning everyone,

                This sounds like nothing more than delaying tactics. Whenever a serious issue comes to NAGDU’s attention the line, “We need to investigate all angles” is use to brush these matters aside and nothing happens to address the issue. Marion is not the only one who left NAGDU because of their lack of action and unwillingness to aggressively address important issues for guide dog users beyond accessibility. Access for guide dog users is only one side of the coin. The other concerns guide dog training, it’s current practices and the need for serious changes to be made to increase training opportunities for blind persons wishing to use a guide dog for independent travel.

Peter Donahue

From: BlindTlk <blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Judy Jones via BlindTlk
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 4:40 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Judy Jones <sonshines59 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [BlindTlk] [BlTlk] FW: [NFB-NAGDU] NAGDU's response concerning the recent discussions about Southeastern Guide Dogs

Hi Marion,

It's because of the current trouble that we need you more than ever.

Thank you for all your support through the years. We all have benefised in ways we may not know.

Seed-planters like yourself don't often see the results of their work, but results are there, nevertheless.

Judy
sent from the Android BrailleSense Polaris

----- Original Message -----
From: Marion Gwizdala, via BlindTlk
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users ,flagdu at nfbnet.org,blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Date: Tuesday, March 09, 2021 08:00 PM
Subject: [BlindTlk] FW: [NFB-NAGDU] NAGDU's response concerning the recent discussions about Southeastern Guide Dogs

Dear All,

I realized that my following message did not get posted to the list; rather, it went to Raul. I am forwarding it so there is a record of the facts, not the revision presented.

Marion Gwizdala

Marion Gwizdala

(813) 626-2789

Blind411 at verizon.net <mailto:Blind411 at verizon.net>

From: Marion Gwizdala,
Sent: Tuesday, March 9, 2021 5:20 PM
To: 'Raul A. Gallegos - NAGDU'
Subject: RE: [NFB-NAGDU] NAGDU's response concerning the recent discussions about Southeastern Guide Dogs

Dear All,

I want to correct the record of what President Gallegos has stated in his message; otherwise, I tacitly agree that what he is stating is fact and it is not! In this message, President Gallegos states, "we try to investigate all angles from all sides to gather as much information as possible". As I have already stated, his first reaction was "I need to call Southeastern". Then what did President Gallegos do for the rest of the evening. Well, I received several text messages from apple with one time passcodes because he was working on the NAGDU app and needed those passcodes to reset the password. Did he gather any information? Did he contact Rev. Blake? This is directly contradictory to the assertion he made in which he states, "I would like to personally reassure everyone reading that I very much care and so does the NAGDU board of directors." If he really cared he would have followed up immediately. He never called me to follow-up and get her contact information until Saturday evening. Did he call her on Saturday? Did he call her on Sunday? Did he call her on Moneday? It was not until today, llikely with a great deal of pressure mounting from his membership that he reached out to Rev. Blake.

I will also remind everyone that this caring board of directors discussed the Les Demers case several months ago and chose not to pursue it; in the words of one member of the board I spoke with, "we felt it was all opinion". Really? That is how decisions are made to protect the rights of guide dog users?

I really have no right to say much more, as I am no longer a member of the National Association of Guide Dog Users or the National Federation of the Blind. Some have told me it must have been a difficult decision to resign my membership in an organization I have served for thirty-four years. Actually, it was not a difficult decision to make, as it is clear the organization cannot be relied upon to protect the rights of guide dog users. I have heard it said that when you are on the barricades fighting for your rights and feel all alone, turn around and you will see 50,000 Federationists standing behind you. Yesterday I turned around and the Federation had retreated. No, it was not a difficult decision to make.

I will continue to fight for the rights of blind people and guide dog users but I will do it independently. If you need my help, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. If nothing else, when you turn around, I will be there!

Marion Gwizdala

Marion Gwizdala

(813) 626-2789

Blind411 at verizon.net <mailto:Blind411 at verizon.net>

From: NFB-NAGDU > On Behalf Of Raul A. Gallegos - NAGDU via NFB-NAGDU
Sent: Monday, March 8, 2021 4:39 PM
To: NAGDU Master List >
Subject: [NFB-NAGDU] NAGDU's response concerning the recent discussions about Southeastern Guide Dogs

Dear Fellow Federation family,

As you have no doubt seen by now, there is some discussion about an incident involving a woman in Florida who recently had her guide dog taken away by a representative of Southeastern Guide Dogs. Additionally, there is some discussion on social media where it has been said that members of the NAGDU board of directors, specifically me, couldn't care less about this situation. I would like to personally reassure everyone reading that I very much care and so does the NAGDU board of directors. Furthermore, we do not condone any illegal actions taken by anyone against a blind person. As is also common with Federation policy, we try to investigate all angles from all sides to gather as much information as possible before deciding on an appropriate course of action. We are also here to support the efforts of local affiliates and guide dog user divisions. In this instance, the Florida Association of Guide Dog Users.

I would also like to remind everyone that if there is something that you need to discuss with the NAGDU board of directors, you can always reach out to us by emailing board at nagdu.org <mailto:board at nagdu.org>  . Additionally, you can reach out to any individual board member by using their direct email address, comprised of their first initial, the last name, followed by @nagdu.org. While we may not be able to find an instant solution, we will listen to you and we will investigate if we do not have all the facts.

--
Respectfully,
Raul A. Gallegos / President
National Association of Guide Dog Users, NAGDU
832.554.7285 | RGallegos at nagdu.org <mailto:RGallegos at nagdu.org>
Subscribe to the NAGDU Public Events Calendar Here
Schedule a 30-minute Zoom meeting with me here
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"Blindness is a characteristic, not a handicap." -- Dr. Kenneth Jernigan

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