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

[rbacchus228 at gmail.com]

I am proud of you for sending this email to guiding eyes for the blind. I was shocked when I read about this policy from Delta Airlines. I someone who travels regularly, I have never had my cane taken away from me on a flight.

Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 24, 2018, at 11:58 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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