[NAGDU] Resolutions

Sun Jul 11 17:48:41 UTC 2021

Hi everyone,

I agree with you, Tracy. I wanted to speak for that resolution, but I
thought I had missed the deadline, so I didn't put my name in the
ring. Now I've learned my lesson because I think they would have
allowed me to speak.

Anyway, I totally supported the resolution and am grateful for those
who put it forward. We do need to work towards strong, positive
working relationships with the guide dog schools. But that doesn't
mean we forget who we are. President Riccobono mentioned several times
in his banquet speech last night that we need to remember who we are
and that we aren't going back. This means that we need to remember
that these schools are agencies, like rehab agencies or lighthouse
agencies. We have demanded accountability from those other agencies,
so why not our schools? Why not demand nothing less than
transparencies in their processes and procedures? Before someone
agrees to go to a school, that person should know what kind of
contract they will be presented with when they get that dog. They
should also be aware of what their rights are if the school wants to
remove a dog, and they should have a straightforward method for
defending themselves. I don't think this is too much to ask.

We can work with the schools on these things, and we can be kind.
Being firm and demanding respect need not be negative or nasty. We
won't name call, threaten unjustly, or attack individuals. I agree
those things are not ok and will not get us the respect we desire. But
we can be firm in our principles and show our love for our fellow
guide dog users by standing up for their rights.

I understand there are guide dog users who want us to leave the
schools alone altogether. That is entirely counterproductive to our
mission as federationists, to achieve equality, opportunity, and
security as blind people. We did not ((and don't) receive respect from
the rehab agencies by ignoring them and allowing them to do their
thing. We cannot do the same with the guide dog schools. These schools
make mistakes and make poor policy decisions. We can see this in their
advertising, in how the schools treat clients, and yes, even in how
they handle tough situations involving dog removals. NAGDU should be a
safe place where guide dog users can report on their experiences with
a school, good or bad, and they will be heard with openness and
without defensiveness on behalf of a school. This is difficult because
these schools grant us something no rehab agency ever could: a family
member and a bond that we can find nowhere else. I get that, but it's
important to be able to take that step back and recognize that our
dogs are a reflection of the school's training, not their policies
towards consumers.

I plan to email President Riccobono to see how I can help us fulfill
this resolution. If the NAGDU board already has some committees
looking into school policies and reaching out to schools, I'd love to
help. One more thought: it became clear to me during the resolutions
meeting that we need more guide dog users serving in national roles
such as on the resolutions committee. We had what, two guide dog users
on the resolutions committee. I think it will help our fellow
federationists who don't use guide dogs to understand what we deal
with if we can work directly with them when these resolutions come
through.

Thanks for reading,

Julie

On 7/11/21, Lyn Gwizdak via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> You are so right on, Tracy. Respect and dignity are the bottom line. Any
> school that won't work with us as equal adults will shape up if they find
> we dont support them by us choosing to go there. I saw the resolution that
> passed as a "sit up and pay attention" to the schools as to who their
> customers are.
>
> I think Seeing Eye is a school whose founders believed in the dignity of
> their customers from the school's birth and continues to this day. Most of
> the other schools havent been run by blind folks from their births. So they
> still have a legacy of having the typical attitudes towards blindness. We
> can help some of these schools in changing those negative attitudes.
>
> Personally, I have attended several schools in my long time as a guide dog
> user. I have experienced paternalism at one of them. I have been treated
> with respect and dignity at Seeing Eye. They have been excellent in
> respecting my gender change and my pronouns even though some longtime staff
> knew me before my transition.
>
> Lyn (he, him, his) and Aristotle
>
> On Sun, Jul 11, 2021, 8:01 AM Debbie Malone via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>
>> I agree that we should have good relationships with guide dog
>> training programs, but not at the expense of our dignity. As advocates we
>> must be willing to right wrongs no matter the cost. Any practices that are
>> unjust, demeaning, unfair, or just plain wrong must be addressed. If it
>> can't be done amicably, then we need to do what it takes. After all it is
>> not just about us, but about those who come after us.
>>
>> Remember something. We are the training schools' customers. Without us
>> they
>> don't exist. We must demand respect and fairness in all phases of the
>> process, from choosing the best program to the application process to
>> receiving our dogs to any followup. Never should we be mistreated or not
>> part of the process.
>>
>> I am grateful that the due process resolution passed but am
>> also disappointed that it was only by a narrow margin. Why are guide dog
>> issues less important than other issues?
>>
>> Let's keep our independence, confidence, dignity, and our rights to choose
>> to use a guide dog. Thank you to those willing to stand for what is right.
>>
>> On Sun, Jul 11, 2021 at 10:26 AM Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > I agree it's best not to be adversarial, if possible, but I insist on
>> > respect.  A good relationship is a 2-way street.  I'm not sure some
>> > schools, or perhaps some school leadership, respect us.
>> > Tracy
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via
>> > NAGDU
>> > Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 10:01 AM
>> > To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> > Cc: Cindy Ray
>> > Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Resolutions
>> >
>> > 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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>>
>> --
>> *Debbie Malone*
>> *InclusionEducation.com *
>> Amazon Author Page <https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07RVCRR5R>
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-- 
Julie A. McGinnity
MM Vocal Performance, 2015; American University Washington College of
Law, JD Candidate 2023