[DSM-Iowa] Guide dogs and Ubers

[April Enderton]

Hi Amena:

I am sorry to hear about your experience with our Des Moines Chapter NFBI. There really are a lot of great people in the chapter. Some meetings are better than others as far as the outreach goes. However, that is not an excuse for making anyone feel unwelcome.

I would like to offer another alternative. Our At Large Chapter meets by phone/Zoom the third Thursday of every month at 7 PM. We are a great no-drama chapter with interesting subject matter for meetings and lively conversation. Scott sends out the Zoom info every month before meetings, but here is the call-in information. I, personally, would love to hear you on one of our calls.

312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 794 109 9792

Sincerely,

April



----- Original Message -----
From: Amena Thomas via DSM-Iowa <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org>
Date: Saturday, February 04, 2023 03:01 PM
To: "Des Moines Chapter List, NFB of Iowa" <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org>
CC: Amena Thomas <amena.thomas at outlook.com>
Subject: Re: [DSM-Iowa] Guide dogs and Ubers

hello, 
Sorry I didn't include this in my previous email. I have been to a couple of chapter meetings of NFBI Des Moines.
I felt extremely unwelcomed at chapter meetings and felt like there was no reason to come back. I noticed a very clicky environment and noticed a lot of people talked over each other when they didn't agree what somebody was saying.
I am hoping that this changes over time because we need a welcoming chapter so that we can best advocate.

Sent from my iPhone
> On Feb 4, 2023, at 3:45 PM, Cindy Ray via DSM-Iowa <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I am Cindy Ray. I don't believe we have met. I think yours are good points and well taken, but from my experience and to my knowledge the problem is more often a driver problem or an emotional support animal issue. Some drivers don't know the difference. Still, problems with guide dog behavior can and do occur.
> We would welcome you to join us at the Des Moines Chapter Meeting Saturday, February 8 at 2 p.m. at the Iowa Department for the Blind at 524 4th on the north side of the building. Call or email with questions. 
> Dcindyray
> 
> @gmail.com.o, Cindy Lou
> Sent from my iPad
> 
>> On Feb 4, 2023, at 3:09 PM, Amena Thomas via DSM-Iowa <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> hi all, 
>> I take Uber frequently for work and to get around Des Moines for leasure. I've gotten a couple of drivers letting me know that they've had a couple of bad experiences with guide dogs. For example groweling, barking, and moving about the cabin of the car. 
>> As a friendly reminder we are responsible as guide dog handlers to keep up the professional image of a guide dog. If we don't we will have our rights challenged and the guide dog life style will become much harder.
>> Please also remember that these uber drivers are allowed to kick you out of the car if your dog is acting a fool and interupting the driver.
>> I've pushed the drivers to get dash cams and to kick service dogs out if they are being a nusence to the safe operation of the Uber car. I suggested the dash cams so they can send in a video of what the dog was doing so they don't  get hit with an improper service dog complaint.
>> So please if you are a guide dog handler or trainer please keep your dog under control at all times.
>> When a guide dog handler lets their dog act a fool in public all your doing is inconveniencing others and making future handlers lives much harder. 
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
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