[NAGDU] difficulty with completing form for traveling with my guide dog

Wed Feb 24 15:31:01 UTC 2021

Hi Mike. I really enjoyed reading about your adventures so far with flying and the forms. I've heard a couple people say they weren't asked for them. I agree with you that you should just be able to upload the accessible version of the form from the DOT's web site instead of following the link to the inaccessible one provided by a specific airline. At least one airline representative has stated this recently including at the ACB legislative seminar. Also, DOT has stated in the regs and in a recent webinar that assistance should be provided to fill out the form at the gate as a reasonable accommodation unless it constitutes an undue burden, which it could if you get there, say 10 minutes before your flight and it could be delayed.

The webinar is at ada-audio.org

It's the web site of the Great Lakes ADA Center. You can sign up to listen to their archived webinars from that site but there is no direct link to the webinar so I can't paste that in here.

Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Forzano via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 5:09 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Michael Forzano
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] difficulty with completing form for traveling with my guide dog

That was my impression as well, so not clear on what the issue is, shouldn't it be accessible so long as the airline is using the latest version of the DOT form?

For what it's worth, I've taken 4 flights now since the regulations were implemented and decided to see what might happen if I didn't fill out the form. 3 of the flights were on Delta, out of those I was asked once about the form and advised that it would need to be filled out in the future though I was not asked to fill it out at the gate. The other flight was on American and I was not asked about the form.

This may be because the regulations are so  new and agents are letting it slide, or because they don't intend to be so strict about the form with guide dogs are they are so recognizable. Too soon to say.

I'm also unclear on how we are expected to fill out the form at the gate in the event of a last minute flight or other issues submitting it in advance?
Is accepting assistance from the gate agent considered a reasonable accommodation?

Mike

On Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 12:11 PM Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> I thought the airlines were supposed to use the D.O.T. form.
> Cindy
>
>
> > On Feb 22, 2021, at 7:59 AM, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU 
> > <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Mike.
> > Like Susan, I had the impression that, if an airline's form wasn't 
> > accessible, I could use the DOT form instead.  Is that not actually 
> > the case?
> > Tracy
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Susan 
> > Jones
> via
> > NAGDU
> > Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2021 2:39 PM
> > To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> > Cc: sblanjones11 at sbcglobal.net
> > Subject: Re: [NAGDU] difficulty with completing form for traveling 
> > with
> my
> > guide dog
> >
> > During the town hall, I believe Raul indicated that the D O T form 
> > was completely accessible, and you can fill that out, save copies 
> > and take
> them
> > with you.
> > But I would *definitely* put American on the spot, since they 
> > rejected
> their
> > own form, which you went to a lot of trouble to complete.
> >
> > Susan
> >
> > sblanjones11 at sbcglobal.net
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Elizabeth 
> > Campbell
> via
> > NAGDU
> > Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2021 2:03 PM
> > To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users 
> > <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> > Cc: Elizabeth Campbell <batescampbell at gmail.com>
> > Subject: [NAGDU] difficulty with completing form for traveling with 
> > my
> guide
> > dog
> >
> > Hello everyone,
> > I am flying to Colorado a week from Monday on American Airlines, and 
> > I've tried twice to complete the form that American is now requiring 
> > in order
> to
> > travel with my guide dog. The airline rejected the forms each time I 
> > submitted them although I worked with Aira agents to make sure the
> paperwork
> > was completed properly.
> > When I was filling out the documentation, I used the latest versions 
> > of JAWS, Windows 10 and Adobe DC. I completed most of the form 
> > without assistance, but needed to get help from Aira on filling in 
> > the rabies vaccination dates and with adding my signature.
> > I got emails from American stating I needed to resubmit the form 
> > with the boxes checked, the vaccination dates and my signature. The 
> > Aira agents
> told
> > me that there is a calendar drop down which isn't accessible with 
> > JAWS. I was able to read the calendar using NVDA, but I couldn't 
> > fill in the
> dates.
> > I also needed help from Aira to add my signature.
> > During our town hall, I remember someone stating that she filled out 
> > the form for flying on American.
> > I can't figure out what I am doing incorrectly since I've gotten 
> > confirmation when working with Aira agents that all of the necessary 
> > information is complete.
> > Thanks in advance for help and suggestions.
> > I sent an email to the American disability desk, but havent' heard 
> > back
> yet.
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > Liz
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Elizabeth Campbell
> > _______________________________________________
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