[NAGDU] American Airlines and My Blind Spot join forces....

NAGDU President blind411 at verizon.net
Wed May 16 16:36:01 UTC 2018


Cindy,

	Well, I think that being a guide dog user is a life style. A great
deal of adjustments to our lifestyles are made because of having a dog to
care for, just as having a child, a spouse, or some other major
responsibility changes our lifestyle. JMHO!

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: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 11:05 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Cindy Ray
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] American Airlines and My Blind Spot join forces....

I'm not sure about the use of a dog or of a cane being a life style choice
either. I think I might prefer to say I have a choice of mobility aids, or I
choose to use a dog because I feel more comfortable with one than without. I
do reasonably well with a cane. I don't feel I do as well with the cane as I
once did, and I feel more complete with the dog. I wouldn't say I am
dependent on a dog. I haven't used one for two and a half years I think it
is. I don't feel dependent, and not even whole. There is something about
having him on the left side that makes my body feel more balanced though. I
feel light on that side without him. Currently though I am choosing to use a
cane. I'm not sure that changes my life style except that I don't have to
take my cane out to relieve it, and I don't have to worry about feeding the
cane, though the dogs are still here to feed  so must be fed whether one is
a guide or not.

Cindy Lou Ray
cindyray at gmail.com

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 9:55 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] American Airlines and My Blind Spot join forces....

I am not dependent on my guide dog, but I absolutely feel I can move about
more quickly and easily with him in most situations than I can without him.
It's why I have him.  To me, "a lifestyle choice" sounds like a pretty weak
argument for why I should be allowed to have my dog with me in places other
dogs aren't allowed.  Dependent isn't the right word, but lifestyle choice
isn't either, IMO.
Tracy



-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of NAGDU President
via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 3:36 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: NAGDU President
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] American Airlines and My Blind Spot join forces....

Albert,

	It's too bad this podcast promulgates the myth that a blind person -
or any other disabled person who uses a service dog - is "dependent upon our
dog". The goal of the National Federation of the Blind and the National
Association of Guide Dog Users is to remove the low expectations that create
barriers between blind people and our dreams in order to foster
independence. Dependence on anything or anybody is unhealthy, including
dependence upon a mate, alcohol, drugs, or a service animal. Those of us who
use a service dog are, by your assertion, not independent! When you speak,
you are not speaking for the community, since you are not accountable to
anyone else; rather, you are asserting your own opinion; Therefore, you only
speak to this issue from your perspective, not as a representative voice. 

	The National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of
Guide Dog Users has been the leading voice on this issue, having met with a
number of airlines, the Department of Transportation, and the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs. We represent the largest constituency of
any disability group in the world and our unified, collective voice is being
heard! 

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 Albert Rizzi via
NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 9:03 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Albert Rizzi
Subject: [NAGDU] American Airlines and My Blind Spot join forces....

My Blind Spot and American Airlines, and other nationally recognized
associations and organizations, are ironing out ways to limit the number of
pets being passed off as service animals or dog guides when handlers and
their legitimate dog guides fly! This also aired on CNBC.

http://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2018/American-Airlines-Announces-Change
s-to-Emotional-Support-Animal-Policy/default.aspx




Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
My Blind Spot, Inc
Founder and CEO

NYC Office
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
Tel: 212.363.0330

Long Island Office
175 West Main Street
Babylon, N.Y.  11702
office: 631.620.3483
fax: 631.620.3481

e-mail: Albert at MyBlindSpot.org<mailto:Albert at MyBlindSpot.org>
website: MyBlindSpot.org<http://www.myblindspot.org/>
C: 917.553.0347
P: 212.363.0330
Certified Professionals in Accessibility

The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it. - Ancient Chinese Proverb We need to make every single thing
accessible to every single person with a disability. - Stevie Wonder
| Like us on
| Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Blind-Spot/179273234423> | 
| Follow us on Twitter<https://twitter.com/MyBlindSpotOrg>  | Connect 
| with us on 
| LinkedIn<http://www.linkedin.com/pub/albert-j-rizzi/13/142/0> |
[Access=Ability infinite possibilities logo.jpg]  My Blind Spot is a 501 (c)
3 tax exempt organization






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