[NAGDU] Disappointed in Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Response

[Milissa Garside]

Wow, I just saw the statement on the guiding eyes website that this response refers to. Pretty darn disappointing. 

Milissa

Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 25, 2018, at 12:12 AM, Sonja O via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Very disappointing, indeed.
> Thanks for sharing.
> Best wishes to you, sonja
> 
> Check us out 
> @chief - a service dog 
> on Facebook 
> 
>> On Jan 24, 2018, at 8:59 PM, NAGDU President via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Dear NAGDU Members & Supporters,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I am writing to share with you my comments to Guiding Eyes for the Blind
>> regarding their comments on Delta's proposed service animal policy. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Fraternally yours,
>> 
>> Marion Gwizdala their statement 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> January 24, 2018 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Dear Mr. Cawley,
>> 
>> Via Email: bcawley at guidingeyes.org
>> 
>>               I want to express my extreme disappointment with the
>> response by Guiding eyes for the Blind to the issue we are facing with delta
>> Airlines. The National Association of Guide Dog Users, a strong and proud
>> division of the National Federation of the Blind,  is committed to
>> advocating for all guide dog users, whether they receive their guide dogs
>> from a formal training program or choose to owner-train their dogs. We are
>> also aware that, when we advocate for policies that affect us as guide dog
>> users, we have a more global responsibility to the entire service dog
>> industry. We take this responsibility seriously and reject any attempt to
>> weaken our civil rights. This being said, we oppose any measures that have
>> the effect of discriminating against disabled individuals who use service
>> dogs, including the imposition of an unequal benefit, something Guiding Eyes
>> for the Blind seems to condone in their recent statement. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Though it is true that consumers of Guiding Eyes for the Blind and other
>> guide dog training programs are issued identification cards, these cards are
>> not and should not be required as a precondition for access under the Air
>> Carrier Access Act or a covered entity under the Americans with Disabilities
>> Act. Though it is equally true that all responsible animal owners, including
>> guide and service dog users, must accept the responsibility of maintaining
>> the health of their dogs, it is paternalistic to require us to demonstrate
>> that we are doing so just because we are blind or otherwise disabled and use
>> a service dog! The requirement to present a health record as a precondition
>> to travel is discriminatory and imposes an undue burden for those of us who
>> use service dogs. Likewise, the inability to book on-demand travel and
>> check-in online, curbside, or by means of a kiosk is a discriminatory
>> unequal benefit. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>               By issuing their statement, Guiding Eyes for the Blind has
>> done a disservice to their consumers and the entire service dog using
>> public. Such an ill-informed position compromises the progress made by the
>> National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of Guide Dog
>> Users to ensure that service dog users have the right to full participation
>> in society on terms of full equality and to travel freely without harassment
>> or the imposition of unnecessary, burdensome requirements.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>               The National Association of Guide Dog Users strongly urges
>> Guiding Eyes for the Blind to rescind their statement and take a stand with
>> us to demand that those of us who choose to use service dogs have the
>> ability to travel freely and on equal terms with our nondisabled peers. We
>> further urge 
>> 
>> all guide and service dog training programs to stand with the National
>> Federation of the blind and its National Association of Guide Dog Users to
>> ensure that their consumers are well-informed about their civil rights under
>> the law and take an active role in advocating for those rights.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>               For more information about the National Association of Guide
>> Dog Users, please visit our website
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> http://nagdu.org
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Follow us on Twitter - @nagdu
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Join the discussion on our Facebook page by searching for NAGDU.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Live the life you want; nobody can stop you!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Respectfully yours,
>> 
>> Marion Gwizdala 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>> 
>> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)
>> 
>> National Federation of the Blind
>> 
>> (813) 626-2789
>> 
>> President at NAGDU.ORG
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
>> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
>> expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind  people
>> and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds
>> you back.
>> 
>> 
>> 
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