[nagdu] Comments & Input Requested by TSA

[Bob Hicks]

Thanks for the clarification.  Merry Christmas!

Best regards,

Bob Hicks
Access Technology Specialist
Seeing Hand Association, Inc.
304-232-4810
<bob at seeinghandassociation.com>
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU List" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; "FLAGDU List" <FLAGDU at NFBNET.ORG>; 
"nyagdu" <nyagdu at nfbnet.org>; <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 7:59 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Comments & Input Requested by TSA


> Dear All,
>    Over the Thanksgiving holiday, there were several messages concerning 
> the screening policy of the Transportation Security Administration as it 
> relates to individuals who use service animals and the Advanced Imaging 
> Technology (AIT) screening machines in use at several airports. Several of 
> you wanted to know more about this policy and why individuals who use 
> service animals were excluded from the AIT. I wrote to the Chair of the 
> TSA Disability Coalition on which I serve requesting more information 
> about this policy. Here is her reply.
>
> "The technological problem arises with more than one being, body, or 
> person in the AIT.  The AIT algorithm is designed to interpret 
> electromagnetic waves reflected from one body in the unit.  If a person 
> and service animal (or any individual carrying any animal) were scanned by 
> an AIT unit at the same time, the unit would attempt to generate an image 
> of one person, which would result in an image entirely unusable for 
> security purposes.  For this same reason, a parent holding a child in his 
> or her arms cannot undergo AIT screening - our current technology cannot 
> electronically process an image of more than one person/figure  at a time.
>
>
> As for AIT scanning a person without the service animal the current 
> procedures using the metal detector appear preferable because, consistent 
> with what is considered best practices, they are designed not to separate 
> the service animal from its master. In addition,  with all of the other 
> things going on at the checkpoint, we can't reasonably expect our officers 
> to maintain control of the animal if the owner was separated from the 
> animal  to undergo AIT screening separately, and as you know that is not 
> required by the ADA/Rehabilitation Act.  That being said, if someone with 
> a service animal is traveling with someone else who can maintain control 
> of the service animal and they are otherwise able to hold the stance with 
> their hands above their head for 5 to 7 seconds, they may undergo 
> screening using AIT if that is their preference."
>
>
>
>    I recently was contacted by the TSA requesting input on a new policy 
> that would allow individuals who use service animals to have the option of 
> undergoing AIT screening while the service animal is outside the machine. 
> I have been asked to solicit input from our members concerning such a new 
> policy and its practical application. Please send comments to me at
>
>
>
> President at NAGDU.ORG
>
>
>
> Though discussion of this issue on the list is acceptable, to ensure your 
> comments are heard, please send them directly to me at the above email 
> address.
>
>
>
> Fraternally yours,
>
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users
> National Federation of the Blind
> 813-626-2789
> President at NAGDU.ORG
> HTTP://NAGDU.ORG
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/bob%40seeinghandassociation.com
>