[nagdu] Accessible Europe

Thu Jun 9 14:46:23 UTC 2011

I've always wondered why it is that Hawaii can get away with having laws 
that are clearly in violation of the ADA?  What would happen if I decide to 
travel to Hawaii with my guide dog?  I owner trained him, so there is no 
professional trainer or recognized program associated with his training. 
United States Federal law is clear that it is acceptable for me to train my 
own guide.  It is his training and behavior that defines him as a guide. 
Also I am unhappy about the bit about other types of service dog handlers 
needing a doctor's note.  Again that is clearly a contradiction of the ADA.

I understand the issue of wanting to keep Hawaii rabies free and the steps 
that must be taken when entering the islands with an animal.  I cannot 
understand how Hawaii can place all the additional documentation demands 
that have nothing to do with vaccination history on service/guide dog users. 
I suppose it will take someone with a lot of money and intestinal fortitude 
to challenge it.

Julie

-----Original Message----- 
From: cheryl echevarria
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2011 7:49 AM
To: cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
Subject: [nagdu] Accessible Europe

Many people have been asking me about traveling to Europe for accessible 
travel.

Well as many of us know the only thing wrong with us blind people is that we 
are blind, most of our other parts work like our ears and our legs. Some 
might need wheelchair accessibility.

This article is primarily for those. Also if you are on dialysis and 
traveling, you have to plan way earlier then those who do not need it, just 
to find dialysis locations.

As well as if you are traveling with your guide dog.  Some Countries do not 
need much, just a certified USDA Veterinarian letter that has his stamp on 
it with all the recent vaccinations on them, some still have quarantine such 
as Australia. Also, I just recently found out Barbados in the Caribbean.

For me to help those that are traveling anywhere, I am still learning myself 
what the accessibility in that country is for you.

Let us remember especially traveling abroad to countries and cities and 
landmarks that were created during the biblical times, like the Pyramids of 
Giza, you will not find elevators or other assistance to enter them, but the 
Egyptian Museum you can.

I will be giving some advice below so whenever you call in the future we can 
arrange alternatives for you to do in that country, but mostly this has to 
do with wheelchair accessibility and guide dog users, for those who use a 
cane and are well enough to travel, there will be some information as well.

Let us start off with the guide dogs.

Many people have asked me, which country allows guide dogs and which ones 
don't, big question. I generally answer, are you planning on traveling and 
to where and we can discuss that place you are going to and what is needed 
to bring the dog.

For places within the United States realm including Puerto Rico and Hawaii. 
Follow the accessible laws

Pertaining to Hawaii, and I am going by the NAGDU (National Association of 
Guide Dog Users website) and if this has changed I will be asking at the 
National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in July.

HAWAII

THE HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS THE PORT OF ENTRY FOR ALL DOGS AND 
CATS ENTERING HAWAII. THIS INCLUDES GUIDE DOGS AND SERVICE DOGS.

GUIDE DOGS AND SERVICE DOGS THAT MEET THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS CAN COME 
INTO HAWAII WITHOUT QUARANTINE PROVIDED THEY FOLLOW THE STEPS OUTLINED 
BELOW. "Guide dog" means any dog individually trained by a licensed guide 
dog trainer for guiding a blind person by means of a harness attached to the 
dog and a rigid handle grasped by the person. "Service dog" means any dog 
that is individually and professionally trained to: alert a person with 
impaired hearing to the presence of people or sounds; assist a person with 
disabilities involving mobility by pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped 
items, or otherwise aiding the user in accomplishing a variety of tasks; 
alert a person with a seizure disorder to the onset of a seizure or to alert 
another person or organization at a remote location to the seizure; or alert 
a person to an impending life-threatening medical crisis and assist in 
mitigating the consequences of such a crisis; and that belongs to a citizen 
of the United States with a disability that substantially limits a major 
life activity.

KEY POINTS FOR QUALIFYING AS A SERVICE DOG OR AN EXEMPTED GUIDE DOG
- The dog must have current rabies vaccination. (Documentation of the 
vaccination must include the product name, the lot or serial number, and the 
expiration date of the lot.)
- The dog must have a microchip implanted that can be read with an Avid 
scanner (Avid or Home Again chip).
- Prior to arrival the dog must have passed two OIE-FAVN tests with a level 
of 0.51.U. rabies antibody or greater. The time interval between the tests 
must have been at least 30 days. The laboratory will not perform the tests 
unless the microchip number accompanies the test request form.
- The dog must have a standard health certificate issued not more than 14 
days prior to arrival in Hawaii.
- For a service dog, there must be a physician's statement which certifies 
as to the disability, and that the service dog provides assistance having to 
do with that disability.
- The Animal Quarantine Branch must receive notification at least 24 hours 
in advance of arrival information and location where the dog will be 
staying. Information can be faxed to 808-483-7161 or telephoned to 
808-837-8092.
- On arrival in Hawaii, the dog must be brought by the airline to the 
Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility for verification of compliance 
with the above requirements, the dog examined for external parasites, and a 
final OIE-FAVN sample taken.
- If all is in order, the dog will be released at that point.

Puerto Rico to my knowledge follows all ADA of allowance of guide dogs, I 
have taken my dog to Puerto Rico with no problems whatsoever, since also 
dear husband is also from Puerto Rico.

But we are talking Europe

All depends on the country, most allow dogs period anywhere with them in 
stores, restaurants, etc. If we are talking middle east and I mean Muslim 
countries, I wouldn't take them.

My ex-husband is from Egypt and they are very modern, have dogs, but not in 
the house, kept outside, but love dogs.

But in general not allowed access to anything. That is there religion and we 
should respect that, that being said our country in the US, is full of all 
races and religions, and the law should be observed here and any country 
that you visit.

Accessibility is all that you make of it, myself I go on the regular tours 
whether or not I take my dog. I have been to Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, St. 
Thomas, St. Maarten, Canada. I will be going this year to Cancun, we are 
planning group trips to Egypt in 2013, 2012 we are planning various cruises 
groups.  So I hope you will take advantage of traveling with others first it 
is enjoyable meeting others, and second there will be others like you who 
may have never been on a trip like this.

If you want to go on your own that is wonderful as well.

More will be coming in the future. Send questions and I can post to an 
e-mail with a reply to it.

Take care, and keep cool
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.
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