[nagdu] resolution on ownership

[Elizabeth Campbell]

Hello everyone,

 

I know that there have been many messages on this subject, and I apologize
for chiming in so late, but I am buried under mountains of email, as I
didn't spend much time checking messages from Orlando.

 

Anyway, I was also disappointed that the resolution did not pass as the
question of ownership has been a concern since I joined NAGDU several years
ago.

Yes, people do have a choice when it comes to which school they apply to
when getting a dog. Allowing unconditional ownership upon graduation from a
school sends a message that the school believes that a blind person is
capable of handling the responsibilities of caring for and making decisions
concerning the well-being of the dog. I certainly don't like the idea of
donors having a hand in deciding a question as  important as ownership. It
harkens back to the thinking that blind people are not capable of making
their own choices and decisions.Another argument that stood out to me during
the discussion of the resolution during the NAGDU meeting involved Marion
reminding us that ownership of a dog also means that a blind person has due
process if for instance a school removed the dog without giving the person a
chance to explain a particular situation. Marion, my apologies I hope I am
correct on this point.

 

I hope we can introduce the resolution again next year for re-consideration
at our 2016 convention.

 

Best to all.

 

Liz