[nagdu] certification

Thu Dec 9 22:29:13 UTC 2010

LOL, you are killing me here lady. I wish I were a fly on your shoulder to
hear this all happening live. Would make a great scene in your blind reality
show. Lol.

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."

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-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tamara Smith-Kinney
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 3:57 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] certification

Albert,

As a former driver, too, I spend a lot of time waiting to cross our formerly
rural highway being really cheesed off at how many people ignore the basic
pedestrian laws by failing to stop for a pedestrian at an intersection.  In
Oregon, the intersection is an implicit crosswalk, and pedestrians have the
right of way.  Not that you can always tell.  Sometimes anxious herds of
pedestrians end up clustered together waiting to dash across the road at top
speed in case they ever get a chance.

When it's just me and Mitzi watching the cars go by breaking the law like
there's no such thing to trouble them, I entertain myself by making up silly
talk about my opinion of the drivers (most of which I can't repeat here),
stringing cusswords together to the tune of my favorite songs, etc.  She
looks at me while I look at her and grins at how stupid I'm being.  There
have been a few times I've gotten to really expand my repertoire!

So lately, what I've been discussing with her is the rationale behind the
issuing of drivers' licenses.  My theory, and I believe she agrees with me
on this, is that refusing to issue drivers' licenses to blind people is
nothing more than rank discrimination.  True, I can't see where I'm going,
except maybe sorta in bright sunlight.

But at least I have a brain!  Shouldn't they test for that somehow before
handing someone a handy laminated card with a really bad picture that
proclaims their right to get behind the wheel and put their foot on the gas
pedal of a speeding death machine?

Who's with me here?  /lol/

I'm kidding!  Really, people, do you think I'm *that* crazy???  I do want to
drive DD's new pickup, though.  I keep asking, and he keeps telling me he'll
think about it.  /lol/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Albert J Rizzi
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 3:22 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] certification

As a driver I wished people on the road were recertified every so often.
Would certainly have cut down on the road rage or perhaps the fatalities on
the road. Alas, I do not drive and such consideration  is not given in that
area of licensure. Yet, lawyers, doctors, teachers and many other
professionals are required to take continuing  education to maintain their
licenses. Your points are well made and it certainly would be a Pandora's
box no doubt.

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."

Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jenine Stanley
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 6:06 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] certification

I am vehement ally opposed to certification on the national level for the
following reasons. 

Marion's logic is perfect to explain why in that in terms of the ADA, our
dogs are viewed exactly the same as wheelchairs, crutches or prosthetic
devices. 

Besides, what would you certify, the dog, the handler or the team? 

If you were to institute a national certification program, it would have to
cover everyone who uses a service animal, whether trained by an organization
or owner trained, and for the certification to be truly effective it would
need to be periodically renewed like a driver's license. 

I've seen my share of school trained teams that were less than ideal, from
every school, and yes, some who should not have been working. I'd wager
folks thought my Lab/Poodle, Molly, shouldn't have been working her last
year with me due to her fear based aggression. 

So, are you prepared to take that annual licensing exam? What would it
consist of? 
Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com

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