[nagdu] more Questions About accessing

[Cindy Ray]

How did you break your foot? It was a real pain, to be silly, when I had the hairline fracture in my heel four  years ago, and I didn't even know that was what was wrong until after I was in Atlanta--a month after. Good luck with that pain.

cl

On Sep 3, 2011, at 12:38 PM, Julie J. wrote:

> We'll see.  I don't know how well or how fast I'll be able to walk once my broken foot heals.  Right now I'm doing no walking! *smile*  Hopefully I'll be able to work up to my old brisk pace.
> 
> Julie
> On 9/3/2011 10:45 AM, Tatyana wrote:
>> Julie,
>> 
>> thank you for the interesting notes. Keep on walking and self-confident look make a deal
>>> I extremely rarely have access issues.  Rarely am I even asked if Monty is a service/guide dog, which is perfectly legal for them to ask.  On one occasion I was asked for ID, which is not legal for them to ask for. However many maybe all? of the guide dog programs issue ID to their graduates.  So if you had particular difficulty with explaining access laws or did not feel comfortable advocating for yourself, you would have one of these cards to show.
>>> 
>>> Okay here are some things that I believe contribute to my very low incidence of access issues.
>>> I live in a very small town.  Everyone knows everyone and I am the only blind person with a guide dog.  They all know me, whether or not I know them *smile* and they know I'm the real thing.
>>> 
>>> Monty is well groomed and well behaved.  He is always an example of how a guide dog should behave.  If he isn't I deal with it immediately and expediently.   I am probably over sensitive about his behavior since I trained him.
>>> 
>>> I do not stop to discuss whether or not I am allowed in a particular public place.  If a business owner starts in on asking questions I announce that he is a guide dog, smile, nod and keep on walking.  I have never had anyone chase me down or talk to my back.  In short, if you look like you have every right to be there, you must and they leave me alone.
>>> 
>>> Monty is not a particularly cute and cuddly looking dog.  He is large, powerful, black and doesn't enjoy visiting with strangers.  We do not get a lot of unwanted attention from random people.  Monty is not at all dangerous, but he's all business when he's in harness.
>>> 
>>> I also know my rights and will not hesitate to explain them should the need arise.  I am a confident person and carry myself that way, head up, looking straight ahead, calm expression etc.  I walk at a quick pace, which I think people also view as confidence.
>>> 
>>> I hope that helps you feel more at ease with possible access issues.  They do come up and you will have to deal with them, but I'd about bet that if you never get a dog you'll likewise experience some sort of access issue. I think having a guide dog increases the amount of access discussions, but I think all blind people universally need to be prepared to advocate for ourselves.
>>> 
>>> HTH
>>> Julie
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 9/3/2011 9:31 AM, Tatyana wrote:
>>>> Dear listers,
>>>> I would like to ask you some   questions about accessing public places .
>>>> When taxi drivers don't want your dog to get into a car, what excuse do they
>>>> use?
>>>> What do ethnic restaurants greeters say when they don't let you in?
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
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