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

[Christopher O'meally]

that is the thing.  we have a problem that no one is taking big enough
steps to fix.  We are tired of fake service dogs, we want to just be
let past like everyone else.  unless we have a national standard, that
just won't happen.  we can't have both in this situation.  we are
going to have to compromise if anyone is to be happy.

On 1/25/18, Gabriel Moloney via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> good day all
> I have followed this thread since it started and I am in the same position
> with the Person from Canada I think this person name is Gary my apologies if
> I got the name incorrect.  When I am traveling overseas which I do several
> times, I have to attend my vet for a medical checkup and her medical book
> has to be stamped by Vet, along with the Vet giving my guide meds for
> worming reasons, of course I can do this my self, but no, according to
> departments of a agriculture both in Ireland and in the USA and yes, it is
> 48hours before travel, again this is for all airlines traveling to the
> United States and return flights, however i have never been asked to produce
> her pet passport medical book at check ins.  People traveling to the United
> States cannot use a mobile boarding card so if you do not have a printer at
> home which i do not, the staff in airport will print out my boarding pass,
> when I check in just a point that I would like to make.  What is going to
> happen when i settle in the United States in March as I take up my new post,
> will the airline Delta accept my European medical book pet pass port??  just
> curious and again I think that all guide dog bodies should join forces to
> attack this change in Delta’ policy.
> regards
> gabriel
>
>> On Jan 25, 2018, at 5:00 PM, Gary via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> jhe all:
>> I'm glad you are all advocating against these changes.  in Canada we have
>> to give the airlines at least. 48 hours notice through their medical desk
>> that we have a service dog.  we have to check in at the airport because
>> once we have identified we have a service dog we are assigned special
>> seats.  The only up side to this hassle is that our dogs  hwho are over 55
>> lbs are provided with their own seat for the floor space at no extra cost.
>>  we don't have to show any vaxination records unless we are crossing the
>> border and even then I've never been asked to show records, even though I
>> obviously had them.
>>
>> I did like that comment that maybe white canes need to be checked for
>> diseases and using them irresponsibly would have Ethel taken away or
>> refused on the plane. very funny.
>>
>> gary
>> Vancouver. Canada.
>>
>>
>> On January 25, 2018 8:44:40 AM PST, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org <mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
>>> Actually, no.  Last time I flew, I checked in online, and went straight
>>> to security when I arrived.  Much quicker. Before that, I think I got
>>> my boarding pass curbside, which was also faster than standing in the
>>> check-in line.
>>> Tracy
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Christopher
>>> O'meally via NAGDU
>>> Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2018 11:37 AM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Cc: Christopher O'meally
>>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Disappointed in Guiding Eyes for the Blind's
>>> Response
>>>
>>> don't you have to wait in line at the airport to check in anyway?  if
>>> you have to submit paperwork early, check in online, then your time at
>>> the airport won't be effected.
>>>
>>> On 1/25/18, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> Chris, my understanding is that, somehow, we have to provide health
>>>> records at least 2 days before flying, but then we must also check in
>>>
>>>> at a Delta counter when we arrive at the airport.  No more online
>>>> check-in, stroll to security, show the boarding pass on the phone,
>>> and be on your way.
>>>> Tracy
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>> Christopher
>>>> O'meally via NAGDU
>>>> Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2018 10:48 AM
>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>> Cc: Christopher O'meally
>>>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Disappointed in Guiding Eyes for the Blind's
>>>> Response
>>>>
>>>> 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
>>>>
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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
>>>
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>>
>> --
>> Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
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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