[humanser] Jury finds IA Dept. for Blind's guidedog policy does not discriminate

[Shannon Cook]

Hi,

I agree about the skills of some of those who have dogs.  I've seen some who are fantastic and others who I wonder how they manage to get out of their own house.  Thanks for your thoughts on this topic.  I can understand more why this decision was made.

Shannon Cook, MSW
-----Original Message-----
From: humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Alicia Richards
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 1:02 PM
To: Human Services Mailing List
Subject: Re: [humanser] Jury finds IA Dept. for Blind's guidedog policy does not discriminate

Oops, I sent my earlier email to the wrong list.  My apologies!  *Smile*  I
had meant to respond to Shannon.

Yes, some of the things you say are true, Shannon.  A person who attends
guide dog school is, technically, supposed to have good mobility already,
and be signed off by an O&M instructor.  However, this is definitely not
always the case by a longshot. Not all clients who go through guide dog
programs do in fact have good mobility skills.  I used to have a guide dog
myself, and I assure you that quite a few of the people in my class had
terrible mobility skills, yet they, and their instructor, thought a dog
would simply fix that problem.  My school actually had to send one student
home, she was that poor of a traveler.

Also, when you go to a college to get a certain degree, rarely can you just
skip classes because you feel like it.  If the college does give you that
option, you most generally have to test out of that class, and if the school
is not satisfied with your test results, you don't get to skip the class.
So it seems to go with a Center.  If you go to a Center, in my opinion, part
of what you must accept is their entire program, or don't go to that
particular Center.  Or, if the Center is going to make adjustments, then
they should test the person's skills in that particular area, but reserve
the right not to allow them out of that course if they are not satisfied
with the skills they see.

Alicia


_______________________________________________
humanser mailing list
humanser at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for humanser:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/scook%40sccb.sc.gov

IMPORTANT NOTICE This transmission may contain information that is privileged, confidential, legally privileged, and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein (including any reliance thereon) is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Although this transmission and any attachments are believed to be free of any virus or other defect that might affect any computer system into which it is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it is virus free and no responsibility is accepted by SCCB., for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use. If you received this transmission in error, please immediately contact the sender and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy format. Thank you.