[nagdu] job seeking and your guide dog

Thu Jul 21 13:25:16 UTC 2011

Well here in NY, we have had issues with a student having a service animal in class, he no longer has his dog, and no longer lives in the state of NY. The NFB and NAGDU members from the Long Island area, including Melissa Reznic, who now lives in Maryland, and is still part of the Long Island Chapter, testified on behalf of the student.

My husband, Nelson, has asthma, and has no issues with the dog.

In reference to all of this, many people use this as an excuse, there are many medications out there that control the diseases, in fact, I was just going over the NAGDU.org website and it lists under taxicabs - Allergies and Religion

http://nagdu.org/taxis.html<http://nagdu.org/taxis.html>

Some issues that NAGDU has taken a stand on.

Oh by the way, Tamera is doing a great job on the site, Kudos!

We the blind in General whether we have a PhD or just a high school level schooling, it is the fact we are blind, they don't want us, we have to fight it!

Dog or no dog.

But in these instances, the dog is the excuse.

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: 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: Thursday, July 21, 2011 9:06 AM
  Subject: Re: [nagdu] job seeking and your guide dog

  Jeanine ,

  While I have never been asked to leave my dog behind in any instance, well
  mot just yet, I have been plagued with concerns about people in the work
  place who have asthma. I have been asked to avoid this or that area, and
  though it was only a part time position, the individual  who took issue with
  my guide filed a complaint  with HR despite the fact that her condition was
  not debilitating or in fact a diagnosed disability. I also run into issues
  in the school system, which is why I feel I am not being considered for a
  teaching position or administrative position as well. I know the economics
  nationally make looking for any job difficult, but when as a volunteer I am
  not granted access to this classroom or that classroom due to either fear or
  allergies, I would have to assume that while I have not experienced the
  discriminatory practice out right, there is a way to skirt the issue which
  in my mind complicates my ability to fully participate  and assimilate in
  the work force.

  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/>
  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 Jenine Stanley
  Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2011 8:53 AM
  To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
  Subject: [nagdu] job seeking and your guide dog

  After hearing about several people who have been asked about whether they
  actually need their dogs on job sites, I'd like to ask the question and hear
  from people. 

  Have you ever been asked by an employer or rehabilitation professional if
  you need your dog in the workplace? 

  Has any employer or rehabilitation professional ever suggested that you
  leave your dog at home for certain jobs or asked if you would take a job
  requiring that your dog be left at home? 

  This question from a rehabilitation professional is, imho, unconscionable,
  but apparently it's being asked more and more often of late. At least people
  are coming forward and reporting it more often. 

  I do realize with an apology to all the rehabilitation professionals, that
  it's about closure and finding jobs but isn't part of that process
  advocating for the blind person and his or her job needs, including the
  right and sometimes need to use a guide dog? This comes into play
  particularly for those whose dogs do additional tasks such as balance or
  alerting tasks.

  Jenine Stanley
  jeninems at wowway.com<mailto:jeninems at wowway.com>

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