[NAGDU] Resolutions

[Cindy Ray]

I think that the resolution withdrawn had some inaccuracies in it that would not have been well to pursue, and it is my understanding that the resolutions committee may have asked some questions that made it harder to support. That’s not to say it couldn’t come up again next year.
I think the other resolution’s passage was a good thing, but I would like to speak to the relationship with the schools. I think we have to be firm in our beliefs about what the schools should and should not do. However, we really may stand a better chance of getting what we want from them if we can develop a working relationship with them. If our relationship with them is adversarial, they won’t listen to us at all. The Board had voted in favor of sending that resolution forward, and I am still glad we did. I think it does let them know we are watchful, and I think it does open the door to our dialoging with them when we see problems. I don’t think that is the same as kneeling before the school with our had in our hand, our head bowed, and saying that whatever they do is fine.
Cindy


> On Jul 11, 2021, at 7:31 AM, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> We of NAGDU had what I thought were 3 good resolutions this year.  1 was
> withdrawn because, in the end, leadership didn't support it.  Leadership
> wants to "build good relationships with schools".  Well, OK...
> 
> Another, demanding a real due process when a dog is taken away, and
> demanding that schools provide all materials in accessible formats, was by
> far the most controversial of all the resolutions presented to the
> convention.  I was shocked and dismayed.  One person who spoke in opposition
> said again that we want to build good relations with the schools.
> Seriously?  Are we to come, with bowed head and hat in hand, saying Please
> sirs, our members would like to tell their side of the story should their
> dog be taken away?  Really?
> 
> I still remember, from many years ago, my first impressions of the Seeing
> Eye graduates at convention.  They were not afraid to speak their minds when
> they thought their school had made a faux pas.  I was shocked, and
> impressed.  They clearly expected to be treated as intelligent adults with a
> place at the table.  They were courteous, but firm in their opinions.  After
> all, adults can have differences of opinion, and discuss them as equals.
> 
> I'm not sure all guide dog users feel like that.  I guess there was a time
> when I did not, when I was a young newby.  I can understand owner-trainers'
> perspective even better than I already did.  I would not wish to hand power
> over me to someone who does not respect my abilities.
> 
> I sometimes think guide dog users are the most timid of all Federationists,
> when it comes to speaking truth to power.  I understand why some would be,
> but it's not my idea of what it means to be a Federationist.
> 
> Tracy
> 
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