[nagdu] Accommodations specific to guide dog teams

Sat Mar 27 12:01:20 UTC 2010

Hi Jewel:

On the public transportation, the drivers in my area who know me ask the person who is sitting behind the driver to move unless they are elderly then I sit on the opposite side, I refuse to take a seat from an elderly person, but that is once in a great while that happens.  My drivers out here in suffolk on the main bus, not the para-transit bus have known me for years, in fact I was recently asked by the Suffolk County Bus to offer assistance with there sensitivity training for new drivers and for drivers that must retake this course, if you contact your local county that offers bus service they should offer this, and maybe this could be something as a division work on.  Having talks with the transportation companies themselves.

Anyway, these seats are for the disabled and elderly, if someone has an issue with me the driver points to the sign on the windows that are in spanish and english, and then proceeds to explain that if the person does not move that he the driver has the right to ask that person to leave the bus, not me.

So to answer the question about accommodations about people not liking dogs or being asked to leave not since I got my dog has any driver ever denied me on the bus because of the dog. 

Cheryl Echevarria 
Independent Travel Consultant
http://Echevarriatravel.com<http://echevarriatravel.com/>
1-866-580-5574

http://blog.echevarriatravel.com<http://blog.echevarriatravel.com/>
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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Albert J Rizzi<mailto:albert at myblindspot.org> 
  To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'<mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org> 
  Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 7:40 AM
  Subject: Re: [nagdu] Accommodations specific to guide dog teams

  In new york city our seats at the very front of the bus have a great hiding
  space for my dog. I always ask for that so he is out of the way and not at
  risk of getting stepped  on. if there is a dseat for me fine, if not tthen I
  ask the person sitting if my dog could crawl under and then I stand and
  enjoy the ride. I only had one instance where a child became fearful and the
  mother simply moved to the back of the bus.

  Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
  CEO/Founder
  My Blind Spot, Inc.
  90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
  New York, New York  10004
  www.myblindspot.org<http://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> [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
  Of Jewel S.
  Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 10:19 PM
  To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
  Subject: [nagdu] Accommodations specific to guide dog teams

  We have talked about APPS, quiet cars, and the white cane laws. All of
  these are important for blind people in general. I am curious now,
  what sorts of accommodations do guide dog teams specifically feel are
  important?

  I have seen the need for a "relief area" in airports, at hotels, and
  the like. What other accommodations do guide dog teams use
  specifically? Do you have any trouble walking in certain areas with
  your guide dog? What about using the restroom (do you use the large
  stall so your dog can come in, too?) On the bus, do you ever need to
  ask for an accommodation because there is no under-space? If someone
  on the bus doesn't like your dog being there, do you require the
  accommodation of being allowed to remain on, or do you just get off if
  they go crazy about it?

  I know this a broad topic, but I would love to see people's thoughts.
  What would you like to see? It doesn't have to be something already in
  place or already being fought for. What do *you* want/need?

  Hoping for a better conversation (and some education),
  Jewel

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