[NAGDU] Let's Discuss a Real Advocacy Case

Roger Newell inscriptioelectronicaaustralia at gmail.com
Tue Mar 6 05:09:51 UTC 2018


I can defend myself here by saying that, as an international reader on
this list, it will likely not benefit me to become familiar with
another country's legislation.

On 3/6/18, Michael Hingson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Actually, using a miniature horse as a guide is not necessarily as
> complicated as you make it out to be. Anne on this list can best address
> this as she uses a miniature horse she trained. However, the laws do exist
> that permit using miniature horses and, given the track record, rightly so.
> The municipality needs to learn the law which is pretty clear.
>
> What Marion asked is for us to learn and know the laws. He challenged us to
> do the research, something we all should do so we can speak intelligently
> about the subject. I would say that for those who said that they didn't
> have
> time to look up the citations, sure you do have the time. Whether a dog or
> a
> horse we all should know ALL aspects of the law. Knowledge is power. Don't
> just rely on others, know for yourself.
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
>
> Michael Hingson
> Vice President, NAGDU
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
>
> Michael Hingson
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of S L Johnson via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2018 11:59 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: S L Johnson <SLJohnson25 at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Let's Discuss a Real Advocacy Case
>
>     Marion:
>
> It is no wonder that the animal control and municipality are confused.
> Most
> of them do not even understand the laws for guide dogs.  I do not agree
> with
> using mini horses as guides but I respect the rights of others to do it if
> they want.  I have heard of miniature horses being used for emotional and
> physical disabilities However, you have to consider that it is a horse so
> therefore it requires the proper structure and pasture land for grazing and
> exercise.  Most of the people using mini horses do live out in the country
> where there is plenty of land.  Living within town limits does force a
> person to have the proper accommodations for their animal whether or not it
> is a service animal. This person might consider seeking some legal
> expertise
> from an attorney as well as someone
> who is an expert on the care of the miniature horse.   All local, state and
> federal regulations and laws need to be considered in this case.  This
> situation is dealing with the municipality claiming that they do not have
> the proper amount of land to accommodate the miniature horse.  That is
> complicated by the fact that this is a service animal.  It is possible that
> there are no laws specific enough to deal with this combination of facts.
> The municipality is only doing their job by ensuring that all animals are
> taken care of properly and that includes service animals.  We all know this
> because we still have access issues with our guide dogs.  The laws need to
> catch up with us.  Miniature horses are not very common so the laws have
> not
> caught up with the current trends in service animals.  In my internet
> search
> I have not found any information to clarify this issue.  However, if this
> trend of using miniature horses are going to be used as service animals it
> is a good idea for all mini horse handlers as well as NAGDU to get involved
> so that maybe new regulations and laws can be developed.  It might be
> necessary for new legeslation to be passed to resolve this issue.
>
> ------Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU President via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2018 9:27 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: NAGDU President
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Let's Discuss a Real Advocacy Case
>
> Cindy,
>
> When we receive calls from those asking us for our assistance,the approach
> of those who staff the hotline is to first offer guidance to the individual
> to help them be their own advocate. This goes a long way to empowering the
> individual to do so in other cases, as well. As service animal users, I
> believe we have the responsibility to ourselves and our colleagues to help
> the public understand these issues. This understanding helps us be better
> self-advocates and will, in the long run, make our ways smoother in the
> future, if not for ourselves directly but for those who will come behind
> us!
>
> This case has applications beyond the specifics of this one incident.
> Understanding this will help us be more informed and better members of the
> NFB and NAGDU!
>
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion
>
>
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU) National Federation of
> the Blind
> (813) 626-2789
> President at NAGDU.ORG
> Visit our website
> Follow us on Twitter
> 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.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, March 5, 2018 8:54 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: Cindy Ray
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Let's Discuss a Real Advocacy Case
>
> People, Marion is asking us to do this that we might become more familiar
> with the law and so that we can have an intelligent, well-thought out
> discussion on the topic. I hope that some of us will take time out of our
> busy lives to look up the information. The guide horse has been
> controversial, so it would be well for us to know what the conclusions have
> been in the end. I will look it up soon; maybe not today. But I think it is
> important for us to have this discussion.
> Cindy Lou Ray, Moderator
> cindyray at gmail.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of sonfire11--- via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, March 5, 2018 5:14 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: sonfire11 at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Let's Discuss a Real Advocacy Case
>
> I don't have time for citations either. However, try looking something up
> in
> the fair housing act. It might give some recourse on the subject.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Roger Newell via NAGDU
> Sent: Sunday, March 4, 2018 11:29 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Roger Newell <inscriptioelectronicaaustralia at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Let's Discuss a Real Advocacy Case
>
> I do not have the time to find citations, but I will simply state the
> following:
>
> Guide dogs are permitted in many places where dogs who are not service
> animals are not allowed. This is due to the guide dog being a service
> animal. It would seem to me that a similar situation would exist for a
> horse
> that is acting as a service animal.
>
> On 3/5/18, NAGDU President via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Dear All,
>>
>>
>>
>>                 As members of the National Association of Guide Dog
>> Users, we are often asked to weigh in on advocacy issues that have a
>> real effect on individual's ability to live the life they want. The
>> recent issue with Delta Airlines is a demonstration of why the
>> National Federation of the Blind chose to charter the National
>> Association of Guide Dog Users to act as an authoritative,
>> representative voice of the nation's guide dog users.
>>
>>
>>
>>                 I recently had the opportunity to help another member
>> who needed immediate assistance. This member lives in Baltimore
>> County, Maryland and uses a miniature guide horse. Baltimore County
>> has a zoning ordinance that prohibits anyone with less than 2 acres to
>> keep a horse. An animal control officer was at this person's home to
>> investigate a complaint that the individual was keeping a horse on
>> their property of less than 2 acres.
>> The animal control officer was advised that the horse was a service
>> animal but the officer was unsure of what, if any, bearing this had on
>> the
> issue.
>> If you were asked to comment on this issue, what would be your guidance.
>> Please take the time to research this question and provide source
>> citations for your position.
>>
>>
>>
>> Fraternally 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
>>
>> Visit our website <http://nagdu.org/>
>>
>> Follow us on Twitter <http://twitter.com/nagdu>
>>
>> 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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