[nagdu] Guides at NFB training centers

[Marianne Denning]

Michael, I totally agree with this.  I have worked over 20 years as a
blindness professional and I rarely get asked, "should I encourage
____ to get a cane?"  I am often asked, "shouldn't ____ get a dog?"
My answer is always that anyone who chooses to use a dog needs to
learn to use a cane first and have good O&M skills. I also go on to
explain how a dog is a mobility aid and the individual still needs to
be in charge of the mobility.

However, I don't think we should go overboard one way or the other.
It is important that people who use dogs have the same access to the
fabulous training at the centers without giving up their mobility aid
during the training time.

Just as zoos were allowed to say they did not allow dogs in the past
and we are asking to rethink this policy; I think it is time to ask
the centers to rethink their policies.

On 9/3/15, Michael Hingson via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Tracy and all,
>
> I think our discussions have made a difference. Originally people with
> guide
> dogs were encouraged not to bring the dogs at all. The NFB centers changed
> their policies to welcome guide dogs including finding them places to stay
> while students are in classes.
>
> Now, as to whether or not the policies should change to permit the use of
> guide dogs during classes is a different issue and should be addressed with
> the center staffs and directors. Some of us feel the centers discriminate
> against guide dog users. Others of us do not. I do agree that discussions
> with the centers needs to be done, but we also should be willing to be open
> to other points of view based on decades of center experiences and
> knowledge.
>
> What I do NOT believe is that the Federation discriminates against guide
> dog
> users. The Federation could do more to make guide dog use visible as we do
> with cane use, but please remember that the public romanticizes guide dog
> use and believes that the dog does the work, not the user. If anyone is
> going to complain about how or how not guide dogs appear in our promotional
> materials please be willing to help create marketing efforts that will
> change public attitudes about where guide dogs actually fit into the travel
> experience.
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
>
> Michael Hingson
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
> via nagdu
> Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2015 11:04 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guides at NFB training centers
>
> I want to add that what did make a difference was someone suing the
> Colorado
> Center, many moons ago, which made more difference than all our talking.
> Sad, but them's the facts.
> Tracy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
> via nagdu
> Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2015 1:41 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: Tracy Carcione
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guides at NFB training centers
>
> I don't wish to throw cold water, but NAGDU has been "dialoguing" with the
> NFB centers since we learned about center policies, sometime in the early
> '90's, or even late '80's, and I haven't heard of any significant change in
> center policies in all that time.  Yeah, I've been a NAGDU member for a
> very
> long time now, and even an officer.  Which reminds me, gotta wander over
> and
> pay my dues.
> Anyway, so far as I can see, all the discussion hasn't made much policy
> difference.
> Tracy
>
>
>
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-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053