[nagdu] NFB Convention Guide Dog Policy
Marion Gwizdala
blind411 at verizon.net
Fri Jul 1 01:25:17 UTC 2011
Alicia,
WE have attempted to offer dog-sitting at a couple conventions but very
few, if any, took advantage of it.
Marion Gwizdala
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alysha" <anjeans at att.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 6:48 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] NFB Convention Guide Dog Policy
>I can also see both sides of this argument. Disruptive dogs can certainly
>be a big issue, but I'm not sure NAGDU is handling it as well as we could.
>Of course our abilities are limited by the number of volunteers we can get,
>but has there ever been an effort to set up any kind of organized
>dog-sitting program during convention? I like the analogy to children; the
>NFB doesn't tell people how to handle there kids at convention, but they
>offer childcare during the day. I for one think I would actually enjoy
>volunteering some of my time to watch dogs while people are busy with non
>dog-friendly activities. There may be too many logistical issues to deal
>with for it to work, but I think it's worth considering.
>
> Also, I think people might take this policy better if it was a suggestion.
> Encouraging people to limit the amount of time they leave their dogs alone
> is far different, and in my opinion preferable, to forbidding them from
> doing it. We are all adults here, and I'm sure NAGDU, and the NFB, wants
> to avoid appearing to uphold some of those custodial attitudes we're
> always up in arms about :).
>
> And last, I'm really not okay with the argument that if you don't like the
> policy, you can just leave your dog at home because that's less hassle
> anyway. I hope most of you can see why this doesn't really make a whole
> lot of sense. NAGDU should be the last entity creating policies that drive
> people away from bringing their dogs to convention, and the choice to take
> a dog or not should be a freely made, personal decision. This argument is
> like saying that because access denials in cabs are such a problem, we
> should just never try and take a dog in a cab. I'm not trying to suggest
> that this policy is similar to an illegal access denial. I'm just saying
> that we shouldn't be told that the solution to dealing with a policy we
> disagree with is to leave our dogs at home.
>
> If this has consistently been coming up for several years as an issue,
> maybe it's time to look for some kind of compromise. Clearly some NAGDU
> members have no problem with the policy, but many others are quite opposed
> to it. I'm sure none of us want our dogs to be responsible for
> disturbances in the hotel, so maybe we can work together to suggest some
> positive, but still effective, alternatives to the current policy for the
> future.
>
> Alysha
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Julie McGinnity" <kaybaycar at gmail.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 5:58 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] NFB Convention Guide Dog Policy
>
>
>> Hi guys.
>>
>> Well, I leave my inbox for about 4 hours to go out to lunch and look
>> what happens! Explosion!
>>
>> I'm starting to become very amused over here. I am actually on the
>> fence about this one. On one hand, yes, nagdu does make this rule for
>> a good reason, and everything would run smoothly if we did not hear
>> barking and howling from guide dogs in hotel rooms. I understand.
>>
>> But... I think that a dog is like a child in the respect that it can
>> make noise like one. Some children can be left alone in a hotel room
>> for an hour, and they will be chill and watch tv or whatever, but some
>> children will make noise and bounce off the walls. People have to be
>> responsible and *know* that their dog will behave properly if they are
>> going to let it alone in the room. As every guide dog handler knows,
>> there are some things you can trust your dog to do, and there are some
>> things that are just too much for the dog.
>>
>> Just for fun... What about all the other noise that comes out of a
>> convention? What about canes hitting the walls at midnight? What
>> about rooms by offiliat action suites? Where people are partying and
>> carrying on. And with all the people, you can't tell me that people
>> don't get complaints about other things like children and loud groups
>> of people and who knows what else.
>>
>> I think this is a good discussion, and I really need to pick a side
>> here! It's unnerving to see both sides of an arguement. Lol
>>
>> On 6/30/11, cheryl echevarria <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> Lyn, I had tried to explain this when the stuff hit the fan, but it went
>>> in
>>> the wrong direction. slapping my own hand for trying to stop it.
>>>
>>>
>>> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>>>
>>> Cheryl Echevarria
>>> http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/>
>>> 631-456-5394
>>> 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 & Travel,
>>> Inc.
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Lyn Gwizdak<mailto:linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>> Users<mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 5:15 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] NFB Convention Guide Dog Policy
>>>
>>>
>>> Here we go again on this topic that crops up every year before
>>> convention!
>>> (sigh! rolling of eyes)
>>>
>>> Sarah, NAGDU or anyone else isn't telling you what to do. Maybe
>>> Marion
>>> needs to spell it out each year - about how the NFB gets greats rates
>>> in
>>> hotels that host the annual convention. About how there are problems
>>> each
>>> year with folks who leave dogs in rooms and those dogs create problems
>>> with
>>> other hotel guests who don't want to hear howling dogs far into the
>>> night.
>>> About accidents dogs may have because people aren't as attentive as
>>> they
>>> should be to their dog's needs - and they leave the mess for others to
>>> step
>>> in and smear throughout the hotel. These problems can cause problems
>>> in
>>> NFB
>>> getting the great rates or even the hotels it gets for conventions.
>>>
>>> Guys, these rules are there to make it pleasant for all and I wish
>>> people
>>> would see it that way. But no, every year, we have people on the list
>>> who
>>> whine about their rights being tranpled or it paternalistic or
>>> something.
>>> this reminds me of kids who aren't getting their own way.
>>>
>>> THE RULES MAKE IT PLEASANT FOR ALL and nothing more.
>>>
>>> If there's a huge problem of wanting to enjoy convention without the
>>> hassles
>>> of having your dog with you all the time, you might like to look into
>>> the
>>> possibility of leaving your dog at home with a friend and bring your
>>> white
>>> cane. Some folks do this and that's fine.
>>>
>>> Now, everyone going have a great time! Sorry for this rant - I get as
>>> tired
>>> of seeing the complaining after Marion remeinds us of the NAGDU rule
>>> abouot
>>> dogs in the rooms alone. I completely agree with these rules and I
>>> abided
>>> them with no problem when I went to the convention.
>>>
>>> Lyn and Landon (waiting for the s**t to come my way)
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Sarah Clark"
>>> <goldflash9 at sbcglobal.net<mailto:goldflash9 at sbcglobal.net>>
>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org<mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org>>
>>> Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 1:04 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] NFB Convention Guide Dog Policy
>>>
>>>
>>> > To consider it I would have to see that it is in fact a policy of
>>> this
>>> > particular hotel, and not of Nagdu. Nagdu doesn't have authority
>>> over
>>> what
>>> > I
>>> > do or don't do in my hotel room.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > -----Original Message-----
>>> > From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org>
>>> [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>>> > Of cheryl echevarria
>>> > Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 11:27 AM
>>> > To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> > Subject: Re: [nagdu] NFB Convention Guide Dog Policy
>>> >
>>> > fyi, in any situation whether blind or sighted, hotels that allow
>>> dogs
>>> do
>>> > not allow them unattended, it is a fair statement that NAGDU follows
>>> this
>>> > policy.
>>> >
>>> > And if you are not going to convention then you have nothing to
>>> worry
>>> > about.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>>> >
>>> > Cheryl Echevarria
>>> >
>>> http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/<http://www.echevarriatravel.com%3chttp//www.echevarriatravel.com/>>
>>> > 631-456-5394
>>> >
>>> reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com%3Cmailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com>>
>>> >
>>> > Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Montrose Travel
>>> > CST-1018299-10
>>> >
>>> > Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise &
>>> Travel,
>>> > Inc.
>>> > ----- Original Message -----
>>> > From: Albert J
>>> Rizzi<mailto:albert at myblindspot.org<mailto:albert at myblindspot.org>>
>>> > To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>> > Users'<mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org<mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org>>
>>> > Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 2:23 PM
>>> > Subject: Re: [nagdu] NFB Convention Guide Dog Policy
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > I would have to agree here. It also harkens one to think that the
>>> very
>>> > organization which professes our need to be independent and self
>>> > determining, that perhaps those of us with a guide have no apparent
>>> > control
>>> > over our dogs. I for one leave my dog home from time to time and
>>> use my
>>> > cane. I never come home to anything other then a possible chewed up
>>> piece
>>> > of
>>> > random paper which I lef out. I also have traveled extensively and
>>> have
>>> > left
>>> > my guide in the hotel room, only to find what you would ask? a
>>> sleeping
>>> > dog,
>>> > who behaved perfectly while I was out. ridiculous.
>>> >
>>> > Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>>> > Founder
>>> > My Blind Spot, Inc.
>>> > 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>>> > New York, New York 10004
>>> >
>>> www.myblindspot.org<http://www.myblindspot.org/<http://www.myblindspot.org%3chttp//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<mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org%3Cmailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org>>
>>> > [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>>> > Of Tracy Carcione
>>> > Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 2:15 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<mailto:President at NAGDU.ORG<mailto:President at NAGDU.ORG%3Cmailto:President at NAGDU.ORG>>
>>> > >
>>> HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG<http://www.nagdu.org/<http://www.nagdu.org%3chttp//www.nagdu.org/>>
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>>> > t>
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>>> >
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Julie McG
>> Lindbergh High School class of 2009, participating member in Opera
>> Theater's Artist in Training Program, and proud graduate of Guiding
>> Eyes for the Blind
>>
>> "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
>> everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
>> life."
>> John 3:16
>>
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>
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