[nagdu] NFB Convention Guide Dog Policy

Fri Jul 1 01:20:30 UTC 2011

Marion, my apologies to you. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you
and your work.
You have treated me well and were there when I needed to speak to someone
before leaving for New Jersey, and I had many concerns as a first time
handler. 
I should never have gotten in to this discussion.
It won't happen again.
Bertha
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marion Gwizdala
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 7:04 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] NFB Convention Guide Dog Policy

Bertha,
    I have often heard that NFB is anti guide dog while citing a variety of 
seeming evidence to support such assertion, none of them what I would accept

as such. The fact that Louisiana Tech has a t-shirt promoting the white cane

is certainly not evidence that NFB is anti guide dog. Louisiana Tech has one

of the most progressive O&M programs in the country and they most likely 
promote the program with a t-shirt.As for the NFB policy evidencing an anti 
guide dog sentiment, I will address this in a separate post.

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "B Avila Guerrero" <guerrero.avila at sbcglobal.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 2:29 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] NFB Convention Guide Dog Policy

>I object as well! It's a good thing I wasn't planning on coming. We are a
> brand new Team, and if I had come, I was planning on leaving her in my 
> room
> on occasion.
> I am a fairly new NFB member, however, I have in the year and a half I 
> have
> been a member, noticed a bias against Dogs, and a very pro attitude 
> towards
> canes. This was evident by the t-shirt being promoted by Louisiana Tech a
> few months ago.
> I think it's time I re-think my NFB membership>
> Bertha
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Tracy Carcione
> Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 12:15 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] NFB Convention Guide Dog Policy
>
> I object to this policy.  I object to the notion that I need special rules
> and supervision because I choose to use a guide dog.  It makes me feel
> unwelcome at convention.  Of course, I'd be perfectly welcome, if I
> acknowledge that I need others to tell me how to handle my dog, or, better
> yet, leave the smelly troublmaking beast at home.
> So I will be spending my time, money, and energy in places where I will
> actually be treated like an intelligent, responsible adult.  Too bad
> that's not the NFB convention.
> Funny thing is, I bet  Marion would object too, if it wasn't NFB
> leadership decreeing it.
> Tracy
>
>> Dear All,
>>     In advance of the national convention, I want to remind everyone of
>> the NFB policy concerning guide dogs during convention. It is the
>> policy of the National Federation of the Blind, endorsed by the
>> national Association of Guide Dog Users, that guide dog shall not be
>> left unattended in guest rooms at any time. Violation of this policy
>> may result in the member's restriction from attending the next two (2)
>> conventions of the National Federation of the Blind. We appreciate
>> your cooperation and adherence to this policy.
>>     As the person responsible for responding to concerns about guide dogs
>> during our conventions, I want to share that I have had the necessity
>> to respond to at least two complaints during each convention for the
>> past four years. In every case, I was told by the guide dog user that
>> their dog does not bark when left alone, in spite of the evidence to
>> the contrary. It is not my desire to prohibit our members from
>> attending convention; however, it is also not my desire to allow a
>> guide dog user to disrupt others at convention by another's
>> irresponsible behavior. I encourage guide dog users to comply with
>> this policy in an effort to maintain order and peace during
>> convention.
>>
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>> National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU)
>> National Federation of the Blind
>> 813-626-2789
>> President at NAGDU.ORG
>> HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG
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