[NAGDU] Disappointed in Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Response
Rachel Grider
rachel.grider at gmail.com
Fri Jan 26 04:57:33 UTC 2018
Hi, Guys:
Forgive me if I am repeating anyone, but the point of this is not how
this affects you or I personally but how it infringes on the rights of
anyone who has a service dog. Not only does this pose a major and
undue inconvenience, but it solves absolutely nothing. Also, if Delta
is able to do this, what's to stop other airlines from following?
The sad thing is that if businesses were actually aware of the two
questions they can ask people with service dogs and their rights to
ask anyone with a badly-behaved dog to leave, we probably wouldn't be
having this discussion right now.
So what is NAGDU officially doing about this, and how can I help?<div
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On 1/25/18, Scott Berry via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Yeppers that’s exactly it.
>
>
>
>> On Jan 25, 2018, at 4:40 PM, Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> This is not the point. Our freedoms are being compromised.
>>
>>
>>
>> Cindy Lou Ray, moderator
>> Cindyy ray at gmail.com
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Jan 25, 2018, at 10:36 AM, Christopher O'meally via NAGDU
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> 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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>>>>>> l.com
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> NAGDU mailing list
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>>>>> il.com
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> 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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>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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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
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NAGDU mailing list
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>>> NAGDU:
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>>
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