[nagdu] legislation for service dogs

Fri Mar 13 15:09:47 UTC 2009

Rebecca,
    As for access issues not being criminalized, it depends upon the state. 
For instance, some states, such as Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, and 
Ohio have criminal codes that address this issue. Other states, such as New 
York, Virginia, maryland, and Wisconsin, have civil remedies. The model 
legislation written by the NFB includes criminal penalties, but it is up to 
the legislature of each state to decide this. NAGDU will introduce a 
resolution at the national convention that, if passed, would make it a 
national policy initiative for the Federation to urge state legislators to 
create criminal penalties for discrimination based upon disability.
    The problem with law enforcement is the same sort of attitude we face 
from the general public. Ignorance has no socioeconomic barriers. Many of us 
within the Federation have worked with law enforcement agencies to educate 
their personnel about the laws that protect us from discrimination; however, 
we will never completely erase such ignorance. All we can do is continue our 
efforts and find more effective avenues through which we can do this.
    I participated in a two-day workshop conducted by the Illinois Attorney 
General's Office about disability issues for State attorneys and law 
enforcement supervisors last year and this made a tremendous impact. We now 
have an excellent relationship with the AG's office and can quickly resolve 
such issues with a simple telephone call to our contacts there. We also have 
developed a similar relationship with the Wisconsin and Florida AG's 
offices. We now have only 47 more to go!
    Many members expect the Board to do all of the work. I get regular 
messages asking what "you will do about" this issue or that. My response is 
always, "I will be happy to work on this issue. How can YOU help?" Usually, 
I don't get a reply! However, from time to time I do get one and those 
people take on a leadership role for us. The Board cannot do anything unless 
the membership pitches in. Everyone must remember that the Board of 
Directors are members first and leaders secondly! we cannot lead without the 
cooperation of others who will follow. Along the way, everyone must work. 
BTW, all of our leaders are workers, too, willing to roll up their sleeves 
and get their hands dirty. If there is a leader who is not willing to work, 
the membership should fire them with their votes!

Fraternally,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pickrell, Rebecca M (IS)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at ngc.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 8:39 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] legislation for service dogs


> Marian,
> It's just that guide dogs have been around going on 80 years now, and
> access issues are still not considered  to be criminal offenses. Police
> officers are horribly uninformed.
> I'd like to know what's taken so long for this to finally become an
> issue?
> My question to me is a fair one. Were there other issues NFB was dealing
> with?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Marion & Martin
> Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 8:04 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] legislation for service dogs
>
> Rebecca,
>    you seem to have some sort of attitude that you wish to vent on this
> list. Would you care to share your issues so we know where we stand and
> can address them? Such comments as this can only be counterproductive.
>
> Fraternally,
> Marion
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Pickrell, Rebecca M (IS)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at ngc.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 9:32 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] legislation for service dogs
>
>
>> About time!
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Marion & Martin
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 11:17 AM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] legislation for service dogs
>>
>> Marsha,
>>    I will write to you off-list with this and other information. While
>> you are working on such legislation in maryland, we would like to see
>> what can be done to criminalize discrimination under maryland's laws.
>> Currently, denial of access is a civil infraction. We are planning a
>> resolution for national convention to create criminal penalties for
> such
>> denials in all states.
>>
>> Fraternally,
>> Marion
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Marsha" <queen.marsha.lindsey at gmail.com>
>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users'"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 9:43 AM
>> Subject: [nagdu] legislation for service dogs
>>
>>
>>> Those that are in other states I am needing some help. I am needing
>>> legislation or language that concerns service animals who are
>> attacked, or
>>> harassed. Give me any info, and of course it is greatly appreciated!
>>> Thank you,
>>> Marsha
>>>
>>>
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>>>
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>>
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