[Massachusetts-NFB] Brief report from today’s service animal and guide dog hearing on House Bill H 2066

[stephen yerardi]

Good evening everyone,



I wanted to share a quick update from today’s hearing on service animals and guide dog users. The testimony on House Bill H 2066 and the related enforcement bills went very well. There was strong advocacy from several disability organizations across the Commonwealth.



Carl Richardson, ADA Coordinator and 504 Diversity Officer for the Massachusetts State House, testified; Kim Charlson, Director of the Perkins School for the Blind Talking Book Library, testified; former Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Commissioner Paul Saner testified; and one of our own members of the National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts, Christina, also gave very strong testimony. I also testified on behalf of our affiliate, and the response from the Committee felt genuinely positive. Several members asked thoughtful questions and showed real interest in strengthening enforcement for guide dog users.



I am going to gather more information over the next day or so. When the recording of the hearing is published, I will share the link so everyone can re-listen to the broadcast. I am also hoping the Committee provides a public list of speakers, and if so, I will forward that along as well.



One important thing I learned today is that the vice chair of the Riders Transportation Access Group is blind and a guide dog user herself. She was present today, along with the RTAG contact person and another blind guide dog handler. I will be reaching out to get contact information for the vice chair so that we can connect further about RTAG’s work.



Sincerely,

Steven YERARDI   

Transportation Director

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