[NAGDU] NYAGDU Seminar on Diversity in the Guide Dog Community

[Elizabeth Campbell]

Heather, thank you. I will do my best to attend the seminar. I'm glad that
we are bringing diversity to the forefront.

On Thu, Oct 15, 2020 at 10:18 AM Heather Bird via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

>  The New York Association of Guide Dog Users (NYAGDU) presents a
> workshop on diversity in the guide dog handling community.
>
> What?
> We will be hosting a facilitated discussion on how the myriad layers
> of diversity, such as race/ethnicity, sex/gender/sexual orientation,
> age, religious/cultural background, political/professional
> affiliation, disability status, etc. affect guide dog handlers,
> puppy-raisers, trainers, and the public with which guide dog/handler
> teams interact. Diversity as it pertains to breeds and types of dogs
> available will also be discussed.
>
> Why?
> If guide dog training programs are to serve a wonderfully diverse
> community of prospective guide dog handlers, they must understand the
> complexities of the lives, needs, perspectives, and situations of that
> community. In order to support one another as guide dog handlers, we
> must be able to recognize and celebrate the diversity within our own
> community, and to understand how diversity affects others involved
> within the guide dog community, such as the puppy-raisers, trainers,
> and other staff that contribute to the breeding, education, and
> placing of our dogs, and also the public with which we and our dogs
> interact on a daily basis. Discussion of how guide dog training
> programs have met or failed to meet the needs of, and to respect, or
> failed to respect, the rights of various diverse groups, provides a
> framework for advocacy, dialogue and, when necessary, collective
> action in the future. In order to meet the needs of our diverse
> community, a diverse range of dogs must be available, as various
> breeds, both sexes, and a wide range of pace, pull, temperament, and
> personality is required to ensure that diverse handlers have
> appropriate and available matches across the US.
>
> When?
> Monday, October 19th, from 7:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
>
> Where?
> During the 2020 Annual Convention of the National Federation of the
> Blind of New York State Inc, there will be a series of virtual
> workshops and seminars, offered using the Zoom platform.
> Visit https://nfbny.org/conventions/details to register for the
> virtual convention, or for the Zoom link to the seminar directly which
> will be posted in the convention agenda.
>
> Who?
> While this seminar is hosted by the NYAGDU, it is open to guide dog
> handlers from other states, to handlers of other types of service
> dogs, and to members and non-members alike. If you handle a guide or
> service dog, are considering applying for a guide or service dog, or
> have an interest in the breeding, raising, training, and working of
> guide dogs, then, please join us for this productive and
> thought-provoking discussion.
>
> Please note, while we will raise food-for-thought scenarios, posit
> questions to generate discussion, and cover controversial topics in
> the course of this discussion, the NYAGDU does not purport to speak
> for all members of any particular diversity group, as we are all
> individuals with unique perspectives and needs. Further, we are not
> attempting to provide the “right” answers, or the “only” solutions, as
> this is intended to be a jumping off point for a more comprehensive
> and informed understanding for all, not a rigid lecture full of
> “musts” and “shoulds.”
>
> For more information, please contact
> Heather Bird
> President, New York Association of Guide Dog Users
> NYAGDU at NFBNY.org
> (585) 739-6473
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-- 
Elizabeth Campbell