[nagdu] New Law Targets Service animal Impostors

Thu Jul 2 21:53:46 UTC 2015

congratulations and way to go Florida.

On 7/2/15, Marion Gwizdala via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Sandra,
>
> 	The reason this law was passed in Florida is because of the
> grassroots efforts of the citizens. Indiana is capable of passing similar
> legislation and there is a resolution (2010-25 attached to this message)
> that creates this initiative as an official policy of the NFB and its
> affiliates. If you need some guidance and support, please do not hesitate
> to
> contact us!
>
> 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!
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of S L Johnson via
> nagdu
> Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2015 4:46 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: S L Johnson
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] New Law Targets Service animal Impostors
>
> Congradulations Florida,great work!  I wish Indiana would pass this kind of
> law.
>
> Sandra and Eva
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Marion Gwizdala via nagdu
> Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2015 4:25 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' ; New
> Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users ; 'New York Association of Guide Dog
> Users' ; 'Florida Association of Guide Dog Users' ; 'Blind Talk Mailing
> List'
> Cc: Marion Gwizdala
> Subject: [nagdu] New Law Targets Service animal Impostors
>
> NEWS RELEASE
>
> For Immediate Use
>
> FROM: Florida Association of Guide Dog Users
>
> DATE: June 30, 2015
>
> TO: All media
>
> RE: New Criminal Law Effective July 1, 2015
>
> CONTACT: Sherrill O'Brien, President
>
>      (813) 935-0474
>
>                      Sherrill.obrien at verizon.net
>
>
>
> NEW LAW TARGETS SERVICE ANIMAL IMPOSTORS
>
>
>
>      On July 1, a new law providing criminal penalties for those who pass
> their pets off as service animals took effect. This law, sponsored by
> Representative Jimmy Smith (R-Inverness) makes it a second degree
> misdemeanor for any person to knowingly and willfully misrepresent herself
> or himself as using a service animal and being qualified to use a service
> animal or as a trainer of a service animal in order to take advantage of
> the
> civil rights protections afforded to disabled people with legitimate
> trained
> service animals. Those convicted of a violation of this statute would face
> a
> fine of $500 and be required to perform 30 hours of community service. The
> entire text of this law is attached to this message.
>
>
>
> "The goal of this law is two-fold," says Representative Smith. "Its intent
> is to enhance the quality of life for those disabled individuals with a
> legitimate need for a service dog and to make the public aware of the
> serious detrimental effects caused by their fraudulent actions."
>
>
>
> Sherrill O'Brien, president of the Florida Association of Guide dog Users
> (FLAGDU), a division of the National Federation of the Blind, supports the
> new law and believes it will be a deterrent to those who abuse the system.
>
>
>
> "I especially like the idea of requiring impersonators to perform community
> service," says O'Brien. "It helps to offset the community disservice they
> have committed!"
>
> # # #
>
>
> About the National Association of Guide dog Users
>
>                 The Florida Association of Guide Dog Users is an affiliate
> division of the National Association of Guide dog Users, the nation's
> leading membership organization for blind people who use guide dogs.  NAGDU
> is a strong and proud division of the National Federation of the Blind. We
> conduct public awareness campaigns on issues of guide dog use, provide
> advocacy support for guide dog handlers who face discrimination, support
> sound policy and effective legislation to protect the rights of guide dog
> users, offer educational programs to school and civic organizations, and
> function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind. For
> more information about the National Association of Guide Dog Users and to
> support our work, you can visit our website at <HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG
> <http://www.nagdu.org/> > or send an email to <Info at NAGDU.ORG>.
>
>
>
> About the NAGDU Guide & Service animal Mobile App
>
> The National Association of Guide dog Users sponsors the NAGDU Service
> Animal Information & Advocacy Mobile app! This innovative app provides
> general information about the state and federal laws that protect the civil
> rights of disabled individuals who use service dogs. The app contains the
> full texts of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and each of the
> state statutes that affirm the rights of those who use service dogs, as
> well
> as general guidance concerning access to specific types of establishments,
> such as hotels, restaurants, taxicabs, health care facilities and more. In
> addition, this app provides the ability to directly connect with a live
> advocate who has been specially trained to resolve access issues as they
> occur and send an email for more specific guidance. This app is provided by
> the National Association of Guide dog Users at no charge as a public
> service. To download the app, simply type the term "NAGDU" into the app
> store's search field.
>
>
>
> About the National Federation of the Blind
>
>             The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest
> organization of the blind in the United States. The NFB knows that
> blindness
> is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we
> raise the expectations of blind people because low expectations are the
> obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you
> want! Blindness is not what holds you back. The Federation provides
> scholarships to blind students; support for those who are blind or losing
> their eyesight; advocacy for the blind facing discrimination; and
> educational programs for the general public on topics of blindness. The NFB
> is not an organization that speaks on behalf of the blind; we are the blind
> speaking for ourselves.
>
>
>
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>
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-- 
Danielle

Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com