[NAGDU] Introduction

[Susan Jones]

Martin, welcome to the list.

> On Feb 24, 2019, at 12:12 AM, Martine Abel via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> Thought to introduce myself as a new subscriber to this list, although I've
> already emailed about my experiences taking a guide dog into prisons.
> 
> 
> 
> I am Martine Abel-Williamson with my 3rd guide, Westin. I live in Auckland,
> New Zealand. I was born in Namibia and then immigrated to South Africa and
> from there I moved to NZ. I got my first guide from the South African Guide
> Dog Association and my next 2 from the Blind Foundation here.
> 
> 
> 
> My interest in joining this list is because of a current role I have as the
> World Blind Union (WBU) lead, access to the environment and transport which
> includes needing to draft, with the help of my working group, statements and
> policies around international travel with guide dogs, guide dog access to
> spaces, etc. I am the Treasurer of the WBU.
> 
> I've got experience in traveling overseas with my guide dog and often,
> following an aray of bureaucratic, fragmented processes levels, including
> around inaccessibility of the needed documentation to fill in, varying
> advice from professionals re which paperwork to complete and the lack of
> communication between countries' animal welfare and customs departments, as
> well as the cost of all the permits to be signed off, including medical
> testing costs.
> 
> 
> 
> 4 years ago we did a world-wide survey on international travel and I believe
> some of you would have contributed as we've asked all our 6 regions to
> participate and spread the word, so, thanks for that. If anyone wishes to
> see that results, just let me know off-line if that would work better or I
> can email it to someone who could post it onto an available space for you.
> 
> 
> 
> I'm also hopeful to, sometime soon, join you at a NFB NAGDU conference in
> person.
> 
> Well, I'll stop rambling for the moment, just wanted to let all know I'm
> enjoying your contributions and learning from all the shared experiences.
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Martine
> 
> 
> 
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