[nagdu] Fw: Here is the resulution pasted

[Larry D. Keeler]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Christine Boone 
To: Christine Boone ; f.wurtzel at att.net Wurtzel ; terrydeagle at yahoo.com Eagle ; Mark Eagle ; Larry D. Keeler 
Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 1:38 PM
Subject: Here is the resulution pasted


RESOLUTION 2013--2


This resolution proposes amendment to Michigan Compiled Lawes Chapter 750.502c Person with disabilities or trainer led by guide, leader, hearing, or service dog; 


Whereas, Section 502 of Michigan Compiled Laws Chapter 750 requires that all persons who use guide dogs must carry a pictured identification card certifying that the dog was trained by a qualified organization or trainer; and 


Whereas, this Section also requires that the Department of Labor must maintain a list of organizations or trainers that train guide or leader dogs; and


Whereas, both of these requirements place an undue burden upon a blind guide dog handler, because he or she has no control over whether the guide dog training facility they attended issues these identification certificates or whether that school maintains its record with the Michigan Department of Labor; and 


Whereas, this statute also uses the term “Leader Dog”, which is a term of art used by only one specific dog guide school and is therefore not necessary or appropriate but only confuses members of the public; and 


Whereas, the statute improperly infers that a blind person may be “lead” by a dog guide, rather than being the dog’s handler, thereby furthering misconceptions and negative attitudes toward people who are blind; 


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 20th day of October, 2013 in the City of Grand Rapids Michigan; That this organization call upon the Michigan Legislature to enact amendments to 750.502, and that these amendments remove both the unnecessary and burdensome requirement that dog guide handlers carry pictured certification of the dog’s training, and any language creating negative inferences about blind or disabled persons who happen to use service dogs; and 


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Committee of the NFBMI draft such amendments and seek sponsors in the State House and Senate.