[nagdu] Traveling Advice

Albert J Rizzi albert at myblindspot.org
Thu Sep 30 13:39:32 UTC 2010 

No worries dear heart. Emails and texting can sometimes be misinterpreted
so, if I am ever unclear or if my writings cause confusion, just say the
word and I will clarify with honor. Peace.

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 Cindy Ray
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 9:27 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Traveling Advice

Oh, OK, I misunderstood what you said and that's why I didn't understand. 

Cindy

On Sep 30, 2010, at 7:40 AM, Albert J Rizzi wrote:

> 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."
> 
> 
> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
> 
> 
> 
> -----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
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nagdu mailing list
>>> 
>> 
>
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>> gdu at nfbnet.org>>
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
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il.com<http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%
>> 
>
40hotmail.com<http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cheryla
>> 
>
ndmaxx%40hotmail.com%3Chttp://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.or
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