[nagdu] Washington - Guide dog killed crossing Kennewick street

[Albert J Rizzi]

I agree with you brother. but only through dialogues like the one you
mentioned having with the law enforcement official you spoke of  will we
educate all people on laws as they relate to this key issue. I would think
that an advocacy group speaking to law enforcement officials on the white
cane law would be very impactful. I also liked the suggestion that someone
made about having a component included in drivers ed courses or as part of
the acquisition process of a learners permit. Only by getting them young or
when they first get their permits will we effectively educate the next
generation of drivers about proper pedestrian  etiquette.

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 Dan Weiner
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 5:50 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Washington - Guide dog killed crossing Kennewick street

I agree with you totally, Albert.
I was bringing up that scenario because I wouldn't put it past some law
enforcement people who might not be acquainted with blind travel techniques
to say that type of thing.
I, especially in my first months as a guide dog user, had several crossing
against the light incidents  after  which I was told by nasty bystanders, ,
"your dog's badly trained, he crossed you against the light, you should get
another one".
This business of thinking that a guide dog reads traffic, this old wives'
tale has been one of the most annoying things I've dealt with as a guide dog
user.

Once I was talking to a police officer I know from the neighborhood about
the White Cane Law, and he asked "well, wouldn't your dog keep you safe and
not let you cross when a car's coming".
We all know that the answer to that one is more complicated than "yes " or
"no" because it's you and your well-trained dog against someone behind of
the wheel of a big metal machine.
Anyway, it took me a few minutes to really explain to this very nice officer
that cars are required to give thee right of way and my dog's training
wouldn't make me responsible if something happened 
Because my dog didn't "do his job" in quotations.

Now, having said all of this, let's hope that all of us will only have to
discusses this hypothetically.  Take care of yourselves, two-legged and
four-legged friends.

Dan and Carter 
-----Original M


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