[nagdu] NFB Convention Guide Dog Policy

[Shannon Dyer]

I've heard this before, and, while I can understand the hotel not wanting guests disturbed by barking dogs, I must say that it seems rather heavy-handed to forbid guide dog handlers to leave their guides unattended in our rooms. My dog does find on tie down. There have been times at convention, such as when I've been captioning, that I would choose to leave Caroline in my room. Strangely enough, nothing happened. Because I do not always have someone around to watch my dog while at convention, and, since there are times when it isn't practical for me to bring my dog with me to certain events, I don't suppose I'll be forking out the money to attend convention any time soon.

Shannon and Caroline
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On Jun 30, 2011, at 2:29 PM, B Avila Guerrero wrote:

> 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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> 
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