[nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison

Sat Feb 6 13:50:38 UTC 2010

Thanks Susan, that is all I want to do now, make it alright for others to do
whatever they are legally and civically entitled to do in this open and
affirming country of ours, even if such is still an ideal and not a true
practice. But with moments like these we are sure to shift perspectives and
eradicate ignorance. I am going to pen a letter to the warden complimenting
the men in charge who did not take the authoritative and easy way out. I was
treated with respect befitting all people, though at times I understand that
simply by one's association with an inmate it is assumed  that the visitor
is also a violator of laws and gets mistreated. I for one was not going to
entertain that type of conduct nor give into the opinions of others. I come
from a long line of law enforcement officials and know how to speak to them
and earn their respect. I think bad things happen to good people, and if a
bad thing happens to a troubled soul in my life it does not in and of itself
mean I too am bad or prone to the same temptations  as the offender. But in
all reality the enforcement officials concerns are not unfounded. While I
was there someone was trying to smuggle contraband into the prison when
visiting and inmate and I saw the swift action taken to curtail that
inappropriate behavior. I could see the prison guards being concerned about
my guide being a mule for drugs and without knowing how to search or pat
down the dog I could see where concerns could be very real for a breach in
security. I was very conscious of not having the young man I was visiting
pet nor touch the dog so as to not even give the perception  or shade of
concern that we were there to do anything other then visit and mentor.
Thanks for listening and for your supportive words in this.

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/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 Susan Jones
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 8:05 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison

GOOD JOB, ALBERT!
I think you did splendidly, and that because of the manner in which you held
your ground, kept your cool and persevered in your requests, you have opened
the door for others with service dogs to visit.
Keep up the good work.
Susan & Rhoda

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Albert J Rizzi
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 12:03 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] FW: Re: visit to a prison

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/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
<http://www.facebook.com/home.php?filter=pp#/pages/My-Blind-Spot/19374068832
8?ref=nf>   <http://www.linkedin.com/pub/albert-j-rizzi/13/142/0> LinkedIn

  _____  

From: Albert J Rizzi [mailto:albert at myblindspot.org]
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 10:39 AM
To: 'nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] visit to a prison

I had what could have been a very frustrating experience, but with cooler
heads prevailing, I was afforded access.

Yesterday I went to visit a young man in my community who fell on the wrong
side of trouble and is doing a short stint in the local jail. I had heard
tell of instances where people with walkers and canes were asked, or should
I say ordered to check their canes and walkers at the door before entering
for a visit. I find this to be ridiculous but can appreciate the reasoning
behind security and other concerns present with what could quickly turn to a
volatile  situation at any moment. that thought being given I decided to
take my guide dog instead of my cane.

After waiting on line, checking in and having been there for over half an
hour, we were called to the desk, but I had already overheard a call that
had been made inquiring into the procedures to follow with a guide dog and
his visitor. At first I was told it would complicate the drug dogs and their
ability to do their job. I quipped  they are both service animals with
specific trainings  which each handler should in any instance be able to
control their animal and keep them on task and under control. I let desk
clerk know I felt my rights as a citizen were being violated and I was being
wrongly discriminated upon due to lack of knowledge of legislation in place
to ensure my equal access. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told he
was transferred and there was no immediate supervisor present. I questioned
that immediately and then asked in his or her absence to speak to their
supervisor, or better yet, could they get the warden on the phone? I was
told he was a busy man and that the clerk did not have his number. So I
suggested that the clerk call the same person he did when I was sitting some
40 feet away who gave him the misinformation so that I might speak with him
directly. They then suggested that we all meet, myself, my dog and the young
man I was visiting meet in a contained area with a glass wall between
ourselves. I felt that was unacceptable as no one else present was being
asked to do that same thing during their visit. I insisted that the mother
of the young man I was to visit go ahead while I waited to talk to someone
in authority other then a clerk.  I advised the clerk that he was in
violation of the ADA, hoping he was to tell you the truth, and that if I
were denied equal access then I would be forced to take the matter up with
my senator and assemblymen. I also let him know that the types of
intimidation tactics used to maintain  order were lost on me as I come from
a long line of law enforcement officials and am immune to such things.
Eventually, lutenent  Destefano asked me to step aside and discuss the
matter in quiet. He understood my position and admitted that they had never
had a guide dog come to prison before and were completely taken off guard on
proper protocol. I thanked him for his honesty and let him know that this
was my first time to a prison, and it was my first time as a blind man. we
immediately fell into a dialogue which led to a simple request. That if and
when I were to come again, would I give them a heads up so they could make
arrangements  much as they do for others visiting with children. We would
have been afforded access in a manner that would not have to complicate the
delicate balance within the prison. His concerns were not lost on me when
after having only been sitting with my friend and her son, without a wall
dividing us, a man was handcuffed and led away as he was attempting to pass
contraband into the prison illegally. I left feeling I had struck a blow for
our community and will be writing a letter to the warden, copy the senator
and thank the warden and lute ant Estefan for treating me with respect and
in a proper fashion befitting any American. I will say that when I got to my
intended visit, the young man was fearful of retribution toward him once I
left. I hope not, but will report back if and when I hear anything. I would
welcome opinions on how I handled myself as I take very seriously the
responsibility of representing the blind in an empowered manner while
educating others along the way. All in all it was a good experience. I even
got a pat on the back from two people sitting in the lobby who complimented
me on how I handled myself in a powerful way and how impressed they were
that I did not bend to intimidation..

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
 <http://www.myblindspot.org> 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
<http://www.facebook.com/home.php?filter=pp#/pages/My-Blind-Spot/19374068832
8?ref=nf> Facebook  <http://www.linkedin.com/pub/albert-j-rizzi/13/142/0>
LinkedIn

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