[nagdu] Advance Notification

Tue Mar 27 12:09:15 UTC 2012

Natalie,
    NAGDU is working diligently to provide accurate information about the 
rights and responsibilities of service dog users and the accommodations we 
patronize. For now, I think the "best answer" is to encourage all service 
dog users to follow the same protocol so as to not create confusion. I am of 
the opinion that, since the presence of a service dog is irrelevant to 
access and the services provided, service dogs are best served by not giving 
advance notice nor producing documentation of training. Such a practice 
sends the message that this is the norm and should be expected. I have had 
hotels, restaurants, and other places of public accommodations tell me that 
someone else called in advance and/or produced identification, why not me?

Fraternally yours,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Natalie" <nrorrell at qwest.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 9:48 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Advance Notification


>I know what you're saying, Marion.  I wish I had an easy answer for this. 
>I think the best thing to do is to push for more training of these 
>companies. Of course, people should not have to tell if they are gay, 
>black, Muslim, whatever.  I wish I had an easy answer.
> Best,
> Nat and Liam Joshua
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, March 23, 2012 5:54 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] Advance Notification
>
>
>> Natalie,
>>    In this message, you say that you tell them you will be accompanied by 
>> a guide dog because you don't want any surprises. What I think is the 
>> biggest surprise is that taxi companies do not adequately train their 
>> employees on the civil rights provisions of the ADA. Just as it is 
>> illegal to discriminate against us by reason of our disability, it is 
>> another's civil right to not be discriminated against because of other 
>> characteristics. Should someone call a taxi company and tell them they 
>> are African American, Muslim, or gay? Why or why not? What if someone 
>> contends they are afraid of black people or that their religion forbids 
>> them from being in the presence of homosexuals? Should they be allowed to 
>> refuse service to them based upon these irrational concerns or should 
>> they be required to abide by the law?
>>
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion Gwizdala
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Natalie" <nrorrell at qwest.net>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 7:22 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Taxi Refusal
>>
>>
>>> Hi Cindy, et al,
>>> I've had it go both ways.  Usually, I do tell them I have the dog when I 
>>> make my call, because, like Nicole, I'd prefer there to be no surprises. 
>>> However, I've had delays and minor challenges happen whether I prewarn 
>>> of the dog or not.  Just depends on the time of day, who's on staff, and 
>>> probably God knows what else.
>>> Best,
>>> Nat and Liam Joshua
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 6:49 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Taxi Refusal
>>>
>>>
>>>>I don't understand why you do this when you have the lawful right to 
>>>>take the dog with you, and I think I did explain, or tried to. I don't 
>>>>mean for you to need to be so defensive about it. I mean, at this point, 
>>>>I expect that the fact I have my dog with me is likely in the cab 
>>>>company's computer, too, because I've taken him. I actually hadn't 
>>>>thought of that angle before. I won't be asking though because it might 
>>>>give them ideas that they wouldn't have had otherwise. Here, of course, 
>>>>we are small enough and we ride enough that they would know that the dog 
>>>>is with me. Probably they would with you as well. But when you tell them 
>>>>you have a dog, then it lets cab drivers opt out of driving you. That's 
>>>>all I was saying about it.
>>>> Cindy
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
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