[nagdu] International Assistance Dog Week

[Sheila Leigland]

thank you so much for posting this. I won't be supporting this 
particular organization in what they are doing.
On 7/28/2014 11:56 AM, Marion Gwizdala via nagdu wrote:
> Dear all,
> 	There has been some discussion on the NAGDU list about participating
> in International Assistance Dog Week. I did a little more research and found
> that International Assistance dog Week IADW) is sponsored primarily by
> Assistance Dogs International (ADI). It is important to know that ADI is one
> of the organizations that is seeking to change public policy by requiring
> registration and certification of service dogs as a condition of access,
> something the National Association of Guide dog Users opposes. ADI's
> interest in this policy is that, should it be implemented, they are
> positioning themselves as the organization that would set the standards and
> conduct the certification or registration. It is important to note that the
> McMinn (Tennessee) School district adopted the ADI standards that were
> recently repealed as they did not comply with Federal law.
>
> 	According to the ADI standards, assistance dogs - including guide
> dogs - must wear a harness, coat, backpack, or other  garment identifying it
> as an assistance dog and must be issued a laminated identification card
> bearing the picture and names of the handler and the dog. Such a requirement
> as a condition of access is contrary to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
> They require programs to have personal contact with each handler on an
> annual basis and to conduct tests assessing their suitability for public
> access. Such a provision is paternalistic and in direct conflict with the
> NAGDU Consumers' bill of Rights adopted by the membership of the National
> Association of Guide dog Users in 2012. I have attached the Standards &
> Ethics document from ADI to this message for your complete review.
>
> 	These things being said, I feel that raising public awareness of the
> issues faced by service dog users and educating the public about these
> issues is a worthwhile endeavor for NAGDU. However, to do so in conjunction
> with International Assistance dog Week does not serve the goals of NAGDU. I
> believe it would be better for us to make use of the national Federation of
> the Blind's Meet the Blind Month in October and the Presidential
> proclamation of national White Cane Safety day (October 15) to do an
> awareness campaign. The NFB has a great deal of resources for this purpose
> and utilizing these resources and sending the consistent message we want the
> public to hear will serve our purposes better in the long run than
> partnering with an organization that promotes public policy that is not
> congruent with our philosophy and goals. Therefore, the National Association
> of Guide dog Users will create an awareness campaign to be used in
> conjunction with Meet the Blind Month. If you have specific ideas you would
> like to see us implement, please feel free to share them with us. You can
> reach me by using the contact information below my signature. You can
> communicate with the entire board of Directors by sending an email message
> to
>
> Board at NAGDU.ORG
>
> Fraternally yours,
>
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc.
> National Federation of the Blind
> (813) 626-2789
> (888) 624-3841 (Hotline)
> President at nagdu.org
> http://www.nagdu.org
>
> High expectations create unlimited potential for the blind!
>
>
>
>
>
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