[NAGDU] Input on the Condo Pool Issue

Tue Jun 14 20:55:27 UTC 2016

Dear All,

	There has been some speculation on the issue concerning the person having the problem with the condominium management company as it pertains to this person having their guide dog by the pool. There are a number of issues intertwined in this issue that seems to reveal some retaliation and the management company's unwillingness to reasonably accommodate for the individual's blindness. Not only has the property manager sent a formal warning to the person stating that the association's pet policy was violated by taking the guide dog to the pool, including the threat that, should a second violation occur, the pet would be required to be removed from the property. Every reference to the guide dog seems to have used the word "pet".

	In addition, the resident has asked for another reasonable accommodation that any notices posted in the public areas, such as inspection dates, be provided in an alternative format. When the property manager showed up at the resident's door for a fire inspection and the resident was unprepared for visitors, the manager threatened the resident with a fine for refusing to let them in. The resident was told a sign was posted in the common area and it was not her (the property manager's) responsibility to do anything more to give notice. This, too, is an acceptable reasonable accommodation for which the resident has asked, received in the past, and now is being denied.

	This resident is filing complaints with the Department of housing & Urban Development, the state's attorney general, and the P&A center in the state.

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2016 2:38 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Cindy Ray
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] A question.

Well, let's see. Since we don't know the whole situation, let's err on the side of watchfulness and see what unfolds rather than putting the individual under suspicion right away.
Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Vivianna via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2016 1:29 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Vivianna <irishana at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] A question.

Hello.
i agree that we should not have any issues taking our guides into a pool area.  unless, the dog is misbehaving somehow.  if the dog is running around, disturbing others, getting into the pool, barking, whatever, then, the dog should not be allowed.  
there could be other issues here.  i certainly know many folks who have dogs that would misbehave in such a situation.  
i don’t mean to sound mean here.  but, we have our end to hold up as well.  perhaps we don’t know the whole situation here.

Vivianna

> On Jun 14, 2016, at 9:45 AM, NAGDU President via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 	Just so everyone knows, this person has a written citation for taking 
> her service dog to the pool area, as well as a voice mail message 
> warning her to not take the dog to the pool. Since she has objective 
> evidence of the discrimination, in spite of her granted request for 
> accommodations under the Fair Housing Act, she will have no problem 
> getting her rights enforced by HUD.
> 
> 	One of the best things we can do when we are denied our civil rights 
> is to get and preserve objective evidence. This can be done by asking 
> for written explanations or by recording the incident. In public 
> places, one has no expectation of privacy, so such recordings are 
> generally legal. If, however, they take place in a private place, such 
> as a residence or office, there is an expectation of privacy and such recordings may not be legal.
> 
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J. 
> via NAGDU
> Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2016 9:02 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Julie J.
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] A question.
> 
> I'd like to draw a tiny bit of attention to the original 
> question...which was what to do about the situation.  I think the 
> person knows she has the right to go to the pool with her dog.  The 
> building management has given her a citation and now the issue is how to proceed to advocate for her rights.
> 
> It's advice on action that is being sought, not information on her rights.
> 
> Julie
> 
> 
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> m

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