[nagdu] Letter to out-of-state guide dog programs from California state guide dog board
margo and isis
margo.downey at roadrunner.com
Mon Mar 30 22:19:03 UTC 2015
Thank you for your response.
The schools outside of California have a good reputation. You know of
these schools. Why should an instructor from, say, the Seeing Eye or
Guiding Eyes or Southeastern need to be licensed. The guide dog programs
outside California place good dogs.
I feel it is very arrogant for the California State Guide Dog Board to give
a perception that you think that schools outside California are inferior to
the California schools. Why should an instructor who can be quickly proven
to come from, Say, Seeing Eye, have to be so fully licensed when he or she
has already gone through an apprenticeship program, including exams.
I see this as a subtle discouragement of people to apply outside of
California.
Margo Downey, Proud Seeing Eye Graduate who has had training with five dogs
with Instructors who have splendid reputations, and, also I know people
from the California schools who have superb dogs.
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Skewis,
Brian at DCA via nagdu
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2015 5:04 PM
To: Michael Hingson; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide
Dog Users; 'Applebutter Hill'; 'Marion Gwizdala'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Letter to out-of-state guide dog programs from
California state guide dog board
Hi all,
I wanted to take a moment to address some of the concerns posed in this
thread over the last few days. I subscribe to this list in order to keep a
pulse on the community and I thank you all for your input on this and many
other topics. Additionally I would like to thank you for the opportunity
to address your statements with the following:
First, I would like to stress that this letter was sent to open the lines
of communication between guide dog schools and the Board regarding
potential barriers to a licensure process that has existed since the
1940's. In California, if an individual engages in the training or
instruction of a guide dog or of a person in the use of a guide dog, they
are required to be licensed by the Board. This means that any training or
instruction physically taking place inside California, requires that the
individual providing the instruction be licensed. There is no requirement
that all instructors from all schools across the country be licensed; just
those coming into the state for training and instruction purposes. Owner
Trainers are not required to be licensed by the Board; only those
instructing others in the use of guide dogs must be licensed. These
requirements are primarily in place to ensure consumer protection. In
California, many professions require special licenses. One has to have a
special license to be a doctor, a psychologist, or a contractor, for
instance. These licenses and associated State organizations exist to
protect the consumer from physical and/or financial harm. After all, many
of these professions, including guide dog instruction, require that the
individual providing the service have access to personal information, and
sometimes even a consumer's home.
The Board was recently made aware that despite its attempts in 2009 to
educate out of state schools of the licensure requirements in California,
schools were still sending instructors into the State to provide follow-up
instruction to graduates of their programs. In an attempt to determine if
there were any barriers to licensure for these out of state schools, the
Board wrote the aforementioned letter to guide dog schools all across the
country. For the most part, the letter was received well and a large
number of schools have already responded stating concerns or lack thereof.
Additionally, the Board asked that schools provide the number of teams
active in California. This request was simply for demographic purposes and
to get an idea of the total number of guide dog users in the state. We did
not solicit any personal information nor is any specifically personal
information required for an applicant to become licensed by the Board.
While the Board's application process does require that an applicant
provide evidence that they have successfully trained 22 guide dog teams,
there is no requirement that those individual's personal information be
sent to the Board. Applicants are required to submit a video of themselves
working with a guide dog team in training, but the Board takes necessary
steps to ensure that the client be aware and comfortable with the fact that
filming is taking place. The Board uses these videos for the application
and examination process only, and those videos are never used in a public
setting. Applications are reviewed on a case by case basis and the Board
is always willing to work towards the common goal of providing safe and
effective guide dog instruction in California while following the rules and
regulations outlined in the Guide Dog Act. The Board understands that
personal privacy is extremely important in this day and age. This program
is not intended to be a violation of privacy, but rather a way to ensure
consumer safety.
Regarding statements that the Board's requirements are in violation of the
ADA and interstate commerce laws, there are dozens of professions and
vocations that are regulated at the State level; in every state. Many
healing arts professions and service professions require licensure at the
State level. This licensure applies to the individual providing the
service, not the individual receiving the service. These laws are in place
to protect the person receiving the service by ensuring that the person
providing the service is qualified and has a personal background that
reflects one of a person that is safe to enter another person's home or
handle their personal information.
There also seems to be a misconception that the Board is supporting the
concept of, or requiring that, guide dog users carry identification cards
in California. This is simply a misconception. The State Board of Guide
Dogs for the Blind has not taken any steps toward requiring that ID cards
be shown by guide dog users. Public access is outside the Board's
jurisdiction and the Board is not interested in imposing any additional
requirements on guide dog users for public access.
Finally, I would like to stress that these requirements are not in place to
sway any person's decision as to which school they should or should not
attend. These requirements are not in place to hinder follow-up services
or instruction, but simply to ensure consumer safety. The Board is working
diligently to address any concerns and barriers to licensure identified so
as to create an atmosphere where instructors from all over the country can
provide the services required to Californians while protecting consumers as
we are primarily mandated to do.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding
guide dog instruction in California.
Thank you for your time,
Brian Skewis
Executive Officer
California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind
Office: 916-574-7825
Email: brian.skewis at dca.ca.gov
www.guidedogboard.ca.gov
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Hingson
via nagdu
Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2015 1:52 PM
To: 'Applebutter Hill'; 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of
Guide Dog Users'; 'Marion Gwizdala'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Letter to out-of -state guide dog programs from
California state guide dog board
All true and good points.
Best,
Michael Hingson
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Applebutter Hill
via nagdu
Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2015 1:49 PM
To: 'Marion Gwizdala'; 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of
Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Letter to out-of -state guide dog programs from
California state guide dog board
Marion,
Here's another thought. I think it can be argued that the schools don't
have the right to release this information to begin with.
Donna
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marion Gwizdala
via nagdu
Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2015 4:21 PM
To: 'Michael Hingson'; 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of
Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Letter to out-of -state guide dog programs from
California state guide dog board
Mike,
It is also the point that we do not need the protection of the
state nor should we silently allow the board to demand guide dog training
programs release any information about their consumers in California. We
will be taking this issue up during our monthly board of directors meeting
on Sunday.
Marion
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Hingson
via nagdu
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2015 4:58 PM
To: 'Buddy Brannan'; 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide
Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Letter to out-of -state guide dog programs from
California state guide dog board
That is, of course, the point.
Best,
Michael Hingson
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Buddy Brannan
via nagdu
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2015 1:51 PM
To: Tina Thomas; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Letter to out-of -state guide dog programs from
California state guide dog board
Oh, what fun. This is just a small taste of what we'd have to look forward
to with a national certification. Hey, what about owner trainers in
California?
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: buddy at brannan.name
> On Mar 27, 2015, at 3:05 PM, Tina Thomas via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
>
>
>
> Hello Everyone- Below is a letter that was sent to all out of state
> guide dog programs from the California state guide dog board regarding
> follow-
up
> services. I hope all you read this and keep in mind that this policy
> and attitude of the board is a contradiction of everything our
> organization represents. To quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "
> injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere"
>
> Thank You.
>
> Tina
>
> ion <http://www.guidedogboard.ca.gov/consumers/2015_outofstate.pdf>
>
>
>
> [Name]
> Chief Executive Officer
> [School Name]
> [School Address]
>
> Dear [Name]:
>
> The California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind (Board) exists
> to ensure the protection of people who are blind or visually impaired
> while receiving instruction in the use of guide dogs. The Board
> regulates both
the
> schools located in California as well as the instructors who train and
pair
> guide dog teams. While your school is not physically located in
California,
> the Board understands that many out of state schools place guide dogs
> with clients who reside in California at the time of placement, or who
> may relocate to California after placement.
>
> The Board understands and appreciates a school's need to maintain an
ongoing
> relationship with graduates of their program. Recently, the Board has
> received several questions regarding follow-up training from guide dog
users
> who received their dogs from schools outside of California. In order
> to provide follow-up training in California, Guide Dog Instructors,
regardless
> of school affiliation, must be licensed by the Board.
>
> The purpose of this letter is not only to inform you of the licensing
> requirements and regulations regarding guide dog instruction in
California,
> but also to create an open dialog. The Board wishes to ensure that
> there
are
> no barriers to licensure for your instructors. Our goal is to create a
> gateway for your school to safely and legally provide follow-up
instruction
> or in-home placements to guide dog users residing in California.
>
> Our records indicate that you currently have no instructors licensed
> by
the
> Board. The Board would like to invite you to undergo the licensure
> process in order to provide services to your clients residing in
> California. The Board's licensure process and criteria are outlined on
> our
website at:
> http://www.guidedogboard.ca.gov/forms_pubs/five_steps.shtml
>
> Please contact me if you would like more information on the licensure
> process, or if you identify any barriers that may impact your desire
> to participate in the licensure process.
>
> Additionally, the Guide Dog Board is in the process of determining how
many
> guide dog users reside in California. In order to identify an accurate
> population, we are surveying each guide dog program in the country
> asking how many active teams from your program are currently residing
> in California. If you could please respond simply by emailing or
> calling me
for
> a quick discussion, I would greatly appreciate it.
>
> I look forward to working with you.
>
> Thank you for your time,
>
> Brian Skewis
> Executive Officer
> California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind
> Email: brian.skewis at dca.ca.gov <mailto:brian.skewis at dca.ca.gov>
>
>
>
>
>
> <http://www.guidedogboard.ca.gov/consumers/2015_outofstate.shtml#headi
> ng> Back to Top | <http://www.dca.ca.gov/help.shtml> Help |
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