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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dear All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I want everyone to know where we are on this. At this point, our national leadership, including President Riccobono, John Pare, and I are monitoring the situation and will be speaking together on Monday morning to craft an official response and action plan. At this point, we have reviewed the policy and the initial opinion from our legal minds is that it is incongruent with the Air Carrier Access Act. Since there is no right of private action, Delta has no real incentive to do anything, since the worst that might happen to them is that the Department of Transportation orders them to reverse their policy. The challenge is that other airlines are considering following suit and this could create an even greater headache. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The solution we are seeking is a long-term one which would involve making the Air Carrier Access Act a mirror of the Americans with disabilities Act, meaning only dogs individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability would be allowed to enter the aircraft cabin. In the meantime, we are also working to create ann initiative to offer guidance to airline personnel on how to assess the suitability of other animals to enter the cabin. For instance, if any of us have ever been at the gate with an out-of-control animal which the owner is unable to correct, I do not think it would take too many instances of airlines refusing to allow the animal in the cabin and requiring the owner purchase a cargo ticket for the offending dog to stop the misrepresentation of the animal as an ESA.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> For now, what you all can do is to subscribe to our Twitter feed <@nagdu> and the NAGDU Facebook page. Our national organizations are posting information there and anything released by the NFB concerning this issue will be reposted on our feeds. I am also considering having a special teleconference on this issue in the next couple days; however, all our efforts are being coordinated with our Jernigan Institute personnel so we are consistent on our message.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Please stay tuned to our social media, including this discussion list for updates and more information. Thank you for your passion and willingness to take action. We are strong because of you!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fraternally yours,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion\<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion Gwizdala, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(813) 626-2789<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President@NAGDU.ORG<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>