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

Thu Jan 25 15:48:04 UTC 2018

I personally don't see the big deal.  When I travel, I braing basic
documentation with me in the event my dog needs medical attention,
every handler should when they fly.  We have to check in two days
early, so we can just go through to security when we get there instead
of standing in line.  But from the other side, I could see how having
to report this so far ahead of your flight can be annoying at worst,
so maybe we should work with delta in modifying this maybe?  just not
sure giving this any negative attention will give us anything we want.
Compromises are much mor welcome to large corperations.  They don't
like to be told what they want is wrong.  just my opinion though.

On 1/25/18, Roanna Bacchus  via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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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>
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-- 
Very Respectfully,

Christopher O’Meally.

NVB of Virginia 2016 leadership fellow.

Lead instructor and CEO of Access Tech Media INC.

Contract Closeout Specialist, Defense Contract Management Agency.

Chris.omeally at gmail.com

(804)658-6668