[nagdu] Blind man, guide dog banned from bus ride in Tampa | WFLA.com

[Stacie Hardy]

Hello All,

First, let me start off by wishing everyone a safe and happy 
Thanksgiving. As I read this story yesterday, I couldn't help but 
thinking about the many times this has happened to my guide dog, Cash 
and I. I can only hope, that with all of us working together that this 
sort of thing can be lessened.Unfortunately, stupidity will never be 
eliminated, but with the proper training ignorance can be overcome. I 
can only hope, that I'm around when guide and service dogs finally  are 
given the respect they so deserve. Hugs and pats to all from his majesty 
and I.

--
Stacie Hardy

In every guide dog, there beats the heart of a puppy raiser.
Twitter: @PatriotsGirl7

On 11/25/2015 9:35 PM, Steven Johnson via nagdu wrote:
> http://wfla.com/2015/11/19/blind-man-guide-dog-banned-from-bus-ride-in-tampa
> /
>
>
> Blind man, guide dog banned from bus ride in Tampa
>
>
> News Channel 8 Reporter Melanie Michael
> By Melanie Michael
> Published: November 19, 2015, 9:02 pm | Updated: November 19, 2015, 11:08 pm
>
>
> Marion Gwizdala and Sarge
>
>
> TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - Marion Gwizdala calls it disrespectful and
> disappointing. Most of all, he says, it's discrimination. Marion and his
> guide dog, Sarge, depend on public transportation around Tampa Bay. They
> utilize the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit system.
>
> On Wednesday morning, their commute became controversial. As the President
> of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, Marion is accustomed to
> fighting for the rights of the visually impaired. But that morning, he
> admits, seemed typical and uneventful. He had no idea it would soon make
> headlines. Marion was waiting, with Sarge by his side, for a HART transport
> van.  It was a ride he planned two days in advance.
> Sarge
> Sarge
>
> When the paratransit service arrived at Marion's Tampa home, the problem
> began. When Marion and Sarge tried to get on board, he was barred access, he
> says. "When I inquired as to the reason I could not open the door, I was
> told there were two other people on the van," Marion explained to WFLA.
>
> Stunned, he stood there while the driver called a dispatcher. Moments later,
> he was informed that a passenger was afraid of dogs. So, Marion and Sarge
> were left behind. "I'm frustrated because this should never have happened.
> It's against the law," he told us. "You can't discriminate against someone
> for their disability. I plan to fight this."
>
> Sarge
>
> Ironically, Marion was on his way to a conference where he was advocating
> for the rights of the visually impaired. "I was going to a grant writing
> workshop. . I just want to live an independent life. This hurts our ability
> to do that.  It's hurtful, demeaning, undignified," he says. Marion has
> filed multiple complaints with various agencies, including the Department of
> Justice. He now has representation, is considering legal action and plans to
> file a complaint with Hillsborough County as well.
>
> When 8 On Your Side contacted HART, a spokesperson admitted this was not
> handled properly. "I understand where he's coming from. We recognize that
> things can be tweaked and better. We get that. This was an unfortunate
> situation. I don't think [Sarge} is by any means a threat, but it is a large
> dog. We know we need to make changes," Sandra Morrison from HART said.
>
> The driver and dispatch operator are now under investigation. News Channel 8
> was told that HART has entered into an agreement with Yellow Cab to help
> with situations just like these. That agreement goes into effect in January.
>
> Meanwhile, Marion wants changes within the HART agency. "They can't treat
> people like this. It's happened before and it keeps happening. It's got to
> stop," he said.
>
>
>
>
>
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