[nagdu] National Convention--my opinion

Wed Jul 10 19:03:48 UTC 2013

Hi everyone,

I am not bothered by a donation and in fact did donate to the relief areas when I found NAGDU's table in the exhibit hall. With that I will tell you I appreciate the efforts of the hotel staff and think they did an outstanding job. 
Now, my dog was trained to relieve himself on blacktop and gravel. I did my best to encourage him to use the boxes but, he would not even look at them. 
My dog does not require grass or anything special. He goes where i tell him. 
Perhaps there could be two areas just as there were this time but, if a dog does not require the special boxes then do they still have to pay the fee that has been suggested? 
As I said, I do not mind contributing a donation for the needed space however, a set fee seems a bit much. The only reason is because the dog just might not use the box.
So a little off topic but just as a side note.
When navigating I thought the majority of guide dog users did a fantastic job and had great control. With everything there is always that few in the crowd that struggle but hey what can you do. 
I found canes to be my worst enemy and, in fact at times I felt bad because I had a hard time knowing if I was in someone's way or if I was clear. 
There was actually a point during the week that my dog was hit so hard by a cane he had an accident. I was horrified and needed all the help I could get. 
In other news my dog works beautifully next to other dogs and even a miniature horse. I was very proud.
We still have work to do when in line getting Paulie to leave his fellow canines alone. 
But, I am happy to say he mastered the revolving door and did not get in to any puppy trouble. 
Great week

Bridget and Paulson 

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 10, 2013, at 1:59 PM, Aleeha Dudley <blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello,
> I do not agree with the required fee for the relief areas. If you have a required fee, that would be going against everything We stand for. Our dogs are supposed to go with us everywhere, without the hindrance of any extra fees that  anyone else would incur on the same day or at the same time. Those with canes do not have to pay an extra fee, so, I think it makes sense to ask for donations, but not to require them. If we start requiring them  for the relief areas, are employers  may also start doing the same things so that we can have a relief area.  This does not make sense to me, though I do not mean to offend anyone by my statements. I say that is the same for us as it would be for any other organization that we might become a part of, including our work, or other activities. We should have the same rights as any other person, and should not have to pay any extra fees, just so our dogs can come with us. I think requiring fees is asking for trouble. People will not relieve 
> their dogs in the relief areas, or they will relieve them, but not clean up after them  or do any number of other things that could damage the hotel property. Also, this could greatly affect people's perceptions of the Nfb's view on guidedogs, a viewwhich we are just now starting to change among the general public. Just my thoughts.
> 
> 
> Aleeha Sent from my iPad
> 
> On Jul 10, 2013, at 1:14 PM, Cindy Ray <cindyray at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Margo, I think if we pay a fee that is a required one, and if we don't have the folks to adequately care for it, we need to hire some company. It is a huge issue to have that material hauled from Maryland. I wonder why they don't do it that way anyway? I really hadn't thought much of this.
>> 
>> CL
>> 
>> On Jul 10, 2013, at 12:06 PM, "Margo and Arrow" <margo.downey at verizon.net> wrote:
>> 
>>> I think it should be a required charge.  Also, you know, we can learn from
>>> other organizations and I hope we don't get into the thing of not doing
>>> something because A C B or some other organization does it.  I still would
>>> like to see a company that does this type of work do the work instead of the
>>> National Center.
>>> 
>>> Margo and Arrow
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Hingson
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 11:36 AM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] National Convention--my opinion
>>> 
>>> The NFB does pay for the relief area.  As I said, I think a voluntary fee
>>> option on the pre registration form and an option for people who register at
>>> the convention would be good.  What we need to do is to make this whole
>>> thing more visible to all members.
>>> 
>>> Not to copy or anything, but the ACB has this option on its registration
>>> forms.  It does work.
>>> 
>>> I will not comment much on making this a requirement except to say that at
>>> the convention people charge for all kinds of things.  It is reasonable to
>>> consider asking guide dog users to help defray the relief area costs.  Also,
>>> non guide dog users may wish to help. 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Best,
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Michael Hingson
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Darla Rogers
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 08:20 AM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] National Convention--my opinion I hear what you are
>>> saying Julie, but would the National Convention pay for it out of its funds?
>>> Darla & Handsome Huck
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J.
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 10:01 AM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] National Convention--my opinion
>>> 
>>> Isn't requiring guide dog users to pay a fee for a service or participating
>>> in an event against our beliefs as an organization?
>>> 
>>> I've always felt that NAGDU  was opposed to charging guide dog users fees
>>> based on their choice to use a guide dog.  I don't know about the legality
>>> of doing this in this particular situation, but if the hotel did it, there
>>> would be a giant fuss about it.  If we wouldn't put up with it from the
>>> hotel, why would we impose it on ourselves?  I'm not trying to start
>>> anything, but it seems like a contradiction to me.
>>> 
>>> Julie 
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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> 
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