[NAGDU] Criminal background check

[Julie Johnson]

I feel the accessibility of the application is an issue and needs to be 
addressed.

The background check...I can see both sides of the issue.  If a person 
has a number of offenses regarding assault, domestic violence and 
especially violence towards animals, then a background check could be a 
good thing.  It would prevent, potentially, tragic issues from occurring.

People change though and criminal charges don't always reflect the 
actual event.  A case from my own personal knowledge when I worked for 
the county...man is charged with assault for throwing a chicken wing at 
another guy in the KFC over some friendly, but inappropriate banter.  
The restaurant manager was not impressed and called the police.  I'd 
hate to think that one stupid teen age food fight would prevent him from 
getting a guide dog.

I'd want very clear guidelines about what offenses would disqualify a 
person and how long in the past they would consider. It would be pretty 
easy to judge people on the basis of things that have nothing to do with 
working and caring for a dog.  People change.  If someone did something 
when they were 20 that was admittedly stupid, but learned from the 
mistake and got themselves together, would that count against him or her 
if they applied for a guide dog at 30 years old?

The whole thing does feel pretty intrusive.  Still I think I would agree 
if the school was going to grant ownership.  To me ownership is a trust 
issue.  If a background check helps the school to trust me, then I'll 
agree.   But once I've earned that trust by completing the background 
check, the references check out, the home visit is okay and I've spent 
quality time with a trainer supervising how I work with the dog, then 
the school needs to show their trust in me by giving ownership.

Julie
http://www.guide-and-service-dogs.com

On 6/18/2017 4:22 PM, Dan Weiner via NAGDU wrote:
> Yes, to be blunt, even if you had a criminal background if you are 
> blind or legally blind and you can use a dog in the intended manner 
> and willing to make the commitment and everything then who cares. 
> Maybe this is done for liability's sake or something weird like that 
> but I don't care for it.
>
>
> On 6/18/2017 5:07 PM, Wayne & Harley via NAGDU wrote:
>> *Hello Tracy,
>> I do, kind of have a problem with both pats of your friend's dilemma.
>> I'll take them in reverse order. Yes, a Guide Dog school should make 
>> well sure that their vendor's site is accessible to their potential 
>> clientele, the blind. that's plain ridiculous.
>> Did your friend have to fork over the fee for this criminal 
>> background check? Also, this, I feel, is an intrusion to the privacy 
>> of potential Guide Dog Owners/Handlers. it seems an overly 
>> patronizing and paternalistic practice.
>> That's my $.02 worth.
>>
>> Wayne And Harley D.
>>
>> *On 6/18/2017 9:03 AM, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU wrote:
>>> A friend of mine is applying to Fidelco, and he had to undergo a 
>>> criminal
>>> background check as part of the application process.  Fidelco told 
>>> him the
>>> IGDF is recommending that all schools add the check.  He also said the
>>> website Fidelco used for his part of the check wasn't really 
>>> accessible, and
>>> he had to have a sighted person fill out the form for him.
>>>
>>> Just thought I'd share.
>>>
>>> Tracy
>>>
>>>
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