[nagdu] Guide Dogs at Carnegie Hall

Tue Mar 5 15:07:15 UTC 2013

Thanks Cheryl!

I'm going to wait until I get an official answer from Mid-America 
Productions about the dog before I start getting too upset. The last 
time I went, everyone was up on risers, and it was so crowded that I 
have no idea where I'd have put my poor dog in that situation anyway. 
The current group is a smaller ensemble though, so hopefully the stage 
layout won't be an issue.

My main question right now was whether I have any grounds to complain 
about discrimination based on the ADA, but it sounds like I do.

I'll keep you all posted on how things progress, and yes, if I do end up 
performing there, I'll also let you all know the dates for the concert.

All best,
ShannaOn 3/5/2013 6:33 AM, cheryl echevarria wrote:
> Good morning Shanna:
> Cheryl Echevarria here from the Carnegie Hall state, NY.  I am sure NYAGDU Margo Downey can help here in NY, and if not then definitely Carl Jacobsen, who is the President of the NFBNY can help on this.
> Margo may be away in Albany until later today and will definitely see this, as well as other members of the NY Affiliate to our Annual Seminar with our people in elected office.
> When things like this happen, do not sit on them, they need to be addressed.
> Hope we get to go to Carnegie Hall to hear you perform.
> If you come again, please let us know ahead of time, so that we can arrange to get tickets.
> Also, Jessica Bachicha, from the NFB has also performed there. She sang last year at the National Convention in Dallas, TX. What a voice!
> She has become an accomplished opera soprano.
>
> Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY State
> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!SNG Certified - Accessible Travel Advocate!Cheryl Echevarria, Ownerhttp://www.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations@echevarriatravel.comhttp://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com2012 Norwegian Cruise Line University Advisory Board Member.
> Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose TravelCST - #1018299-10Echevarria Travel and proud member of the National Federation of the Blind will be holding a year round fundraiser for the http://www.NFBNY.org after Hurricane Sandy and other resources. Any vacation package booked between November 6 2012-November 6, 2013 and vacation must be traveled no later than 12/30/2014 a percentage of my earnings will go to the affiliate.  Also is you book a Sandals for couples or Beaches for families and friends resorts vacation, $100.00 per booking will go to the affiliate as well.  You do not need to be a member of the NFB.org, just book through us.
>
>
>> Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2013 20:37:15 -0600> From: slstich at gmail.com> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [nagdu] Guide Dogs at Carnegie Hall
>>
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> Firstly, I'm sorry I haven't been active on this list. I will try and
>> remedy that, but for now I have an access question for those of you who
>> know about such things.
>>
>> I am scheduled to perform at Carnegie hall next year with a vocal
>> ensemble. I have performed at this venue previously, and at that time, I
>> was told before I arrived in New York that while my guide dog was
>> welcome to attend rehearsals and remain backstage, she would not be
>> permitted onstage during the performance or final dress rehearsal. The
>> tricky part is that the actual stage at Carnegie is not an area open to
>> the public, so possibly the production company is within their wrights
>> to refuse my dog access to that area. However, I'm involved in a program
>> their, and as I understand it, my dog gets access, even though the stage
>> isn't an area open to the public because all other participants in my
>> group will have stage access.
>>
>> The first time I went there, I let this issue slide because to be
>> honest, I had a lot of other problems on my hands, and I didn't have the
>> energy for another drama in my life at that point. Also, my parents and
>> friends came to watch the performance, so I had someone willing to watch
>> my very easy to handle Labrador. Additionally, the stage was configured
>> in such a way that having a dog would have been very awkward for myself
>> and my little girl.
>>
>> This time though, I'm more willing to advocate for my needs if I'm right
>> about how the ADA works.
>>
>> My dog, Diamond, is very well-behaved when onstage with me during other
>> performances, including with the symphony and other fairly high-profile
>> groups in my area, so she wouldn't cause a disruption in any way.
>>
>> I'd appreciate any thoughts you all might have about this issue.
>>
>> Thanks in advance for your time.
>>
>> Shanna
>>
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