[nagdu] Traveling Advice

Albert J Rizzi albert at myblindspot.org
Thu Sep 30 12:40:56 UTC 2010 

Let me first qualify it was during my first 6 months being blind. I was
grabbed and the individual attempted to drag me by my shoulder like I was a
dog, then I was placed in a spot at the boarding area and not introduced to
the attendants, then when I was supposed to get on the plane after waiting
for nearly and hour, the attendant without even asking where I needed to go
started to walk me to baggage claim, rather then to the plane to board. It
gets better. after I announced in an agetattted  voice that I was boarding a
plane not getting off of one, I was then escorted to the tar mack yes the
tar mack and in Manhattan of all places. I was forcibly placed into a seat
and three times heard the bus driver yell that he needs to know when
handicapped people are being put on his bus the handicapped cannot be left
alone the handicapped need special things. I never had that experience
again. I learned more about mobility and grew into my blindness. I never
have an issue nor had an issue since choosing a dog as my mobility aid. I
also, as I cannot put to memory all the different airports in the country,
feel very comfortable getting assistance to my next gate. For the record
this all happened on delta and one of their lesser carriers, while flying to
Florida.

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 Cindy Ray
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 8:12 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Traveling Advice

What was the worst experience you had because a blind person was traveling
with a cane out of NYC. I'm kind o' dense here.

CL

On Sep 30, 2010, at 6:57 AM, Albert J Rizzi wrote:

> I have to chime in here and agree with cheryl. As a new bee of sorts and
> only having 4 years under my belt, I have always been treated with respect
> and courtesy. The worst experience I ever had traveling as a completely
> blind person was with a cane in nyc an airport I traveled in and out of
> 1000's of times while sighted. I was appalled. Wile I may not alert most
> hotels I travel to in advance I do let airlines and trains know as a
> professional courtesy. I have never been sent to the proverbial back of
the
> bus just the opposite, they offer a seat for my dog, a pillow and peanuts
as
> well as a nice bowl of ice. They also allow me to choose my own seat. So,
> perhaps there is a change acoming   and we need to help it along. Lets
work
> to make marginalization  a thing of the past. but, if it is your choice to
> not offer that information due to past experiences do what has always
worked
> for you in the past but try to see where legislation and the efforts of
our
> well oiled and excellent guide representatives have made inroads for all
of
> us to walk down proudly and with our heads and tails held high.
> 
> 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 cheryl echevarria
> Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 7:16 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Traveling Advice
> 
> Again, as being a travel professional such as going on a cruise or going
to
> places like Disney even other hotels they are becoming more and more Guide
> Dog Friendly, they know what is out there.
> 
> I disagree!
> 
> If tamara needs anything else from me on this for the website fine or
other
> information on travel I am here, I have only gotten the best service with
my
> dog by telling them that I had one.
> 
> And the industry is willing ready and able to help us in the days of a lot
> of places going under, airlines coming back after being told by clients
who
> speak up that have issues.
> 
> TSA is working on all the issues as well, we have to work together with
> them, in the old days of not telling and bringing a dog okay you are
right,
> but now it is become well if you let us know ahead of time we will have
the
> best accommodations for you what would you need from us, an area to
relieve
> your dog, or yes you can bring your dog on a ride at Disney or other
things.
> 
> The only place I do not give that I am brining my dog is the
transportation
> to and from the airports, not needed.
> 
> My own experience with the suppliers and them making strides to help.
> 
> The biggest compliment you can pay me is to recommend my services!
> 
> Cheryl Echevarria 
> http://Echevarriatravel.com<http://echevarriatravel.com/>
> 1-866-580-5574
>
Reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:Reservations at echevarriatravel.com>
> 
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Montrose Travel
CST-1018299-10
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise and Travel
Inc.
> 
> join my yahoogroup 
>
echevarriatravel-subscribe at yahoogroups.com<mailto:echevarriatravel-subscribe
> @yahoogroups.com>
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Marion Gwizdala<mailto:blind411 at verizon.net> 
>  To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users<mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org> 
>  Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 11:25 PM
>  Subject: Re: [nagdu] Traveling Advice
> 
> 
>  Cheryl,
>      I think it is a very bad idea to alert either an airline or a hotel
> that 
>  one will be traveling with a guide dog. such a practice only opens the
> doors 
>  to discrimination, as the presence of a guide dog is irrelevant. Alerting
> a 
>  place of public accommodation in advance that you will be accompanied by
a
> 
>  guide dog causes personnel to take actions and make arrangements that may
> be 
>  discriminatory, such as seating in a specific place not wanted by the 
>  individual, requiring one to stay on a first floor, or other such 
>  unnecessary actions. Since an airline and hotel have no choice but to
> allow 
>  a person with a disability to be accompanied by a service animal, there
is
> 
>  absolutely no need to give them advance notice!
> 
>  Fraternally yours,
>  Marion Gwizdala
> 
> 
> 
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: "cheryl echevarria"
> <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com<mailto:cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>>
>  To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>  <nagdu at nfbnet.org<mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org>>
>  Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 9:42 AM
>  Subject: Re: [nagdu] Traveling Advice
> 
> 
>> Have you made your reservations already, I would let them know you are 
>> traveling with a guide dog, as well as the hotel, you have rights on
> both 
>> since pet policies do not pertain to Guide/Service Animals.
>> 
>> 
>> The biggest compliment you can pay me is to recommend my services!
>> 
>> Cheryl Echevarria
>> 
>
http://Echevarriatravel.com<http://echevarriatravel.com/<http://echevarriatr
> avel.com%3chttp//echevarriatravel.com/>>
>> 1-866-580-5574
>> 
>
Reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:Reservations at echevarriatravel.com<m
>
ailto:Reservations at echevarriatravel.com%3Cmailto:Reservations at echevarriatrav
> el.com>>
>> 
>> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Montrose Travel 
>> CST-1018299-10
>> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise and Travel 
>> Inc.
>> 
>> join my yahoogroup
>> 
>
echevarriatravel-subscribe at yahoogroups.com<mailto:echevarriatravel-subscribe
>
@yahoogroups.com<mailto:echevarriatravel-subscribe at yahoogroups.com%3Cmailto:
> echevarriatravel-subscribe at yahoogroups.com>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: Kolby
> Garrison<mailto:kolby12091988 at gmail.com<mailto:kolby12091988 at gmail.com>>
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 10:29 AM
>> Subject: [nagdu] Traveling Advice
>> 
>> 
>> Hello Everyone,
>> I will be flying to the state of Washington in November, and staying
>> in a hotel for at least three nights. I have not ever flown or stayed
>> in a hotel with my Guide Dog before, and I would like to know if those
>> of you who have flown or stayed in a hotel with your dogs before have
>> any advice for me. I will have layovers exceeding two hours on the way
>> to and from my destination. Are there things that I can do to make my
>> and Sunny's airport, airplane, and hotel experiences as positive and
>> hastle free as possible?
>> Thank you in advance for any advice that you have the time to share.
>> Kolby
>> 
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