[NAGDU] Resolution 2015-25

[Sheila]

hello, harold and I  were at that convention when the resolution failed. 
We voted for passage. if it comes up again we will do the same.

On 3/25/2021 10:40 AM, Marion Gwizdala, via NAGDU wrote:
> Dear All,
>
>   
>
>                  I know that throughout my administration many members seemed
> to grow tired of my questioning of guide dog training programs about their
> ownership policies. I hope everyone now sees my concerns were legitimate.
> One of the ways I attempted to make a change in ownership policies was to
> introduce a resolution concerning this, thus asking our membership to weigh
> in on the issue. To my surprise, the motion obviously failed on a floor vote
> but I took the chance our leadership would see it differently; however,, the
> resolution failed on a roll call vote. I thought it might be edifying to see
> what was written six years ago and what the membership and the national
> leadership voted against. Below is the text of resolution 2015-25 concerning
> unconditional ownership of our guide dogs upon completion of training.
> Please note there is information that is not current: Guide dogs of America
> (GDA) no longer provides ownership upon completion of training while Guide
> Dogs of Texas does.
>
>   
>
> Resolution 2015-25
>
> Concerning unconditional Ownership of Guide Dogs Upon completion of Training
>
> Proponents: Marion Gwizdala & Michael Hingson
>
> WHEREAS, In 2011 the national Association of Guide dog Users (NAGDU)
> published (The Braille Monitor 54:6) and unanimously passed the Guide Dog
> Consumers' bill of Rights during their annual meeting; and
>
> WHEREAS, Section 5(a) of the Guide Dog consumers' bill of Rights states,
> "The Consumer shall be given legal title, ownership, and possession of the
> dog upon completion of the training program. Such title, ownership, or
> possession shall not be revoked, suspended, or otherwise interfered with
> without due process and in accordance with other provisions of this
> document"; and
>
> WHEREAS, Four guide dog training programs in the United States - Freedom
> Guide dogs for the Blind, Guide Dogs of America, the Guide dog Foundation,
> and The Seeing Eye - currently transfer unconditional ownership to the guide
> dog user upon completion of training; and
>
> WHEREAS, All other guide dog training programs either place conditions upon
> the transfer of ownership, such as mandatory retirement ages, the right to
> repossess the dog without due process, annual reporting requirements, and
> other conditions incongruent with unconditional ownership or impose
> probationary periods during which a consumer is required to demonstrate
> their suitability for ownership; and
>
> WHEREAS, There have been several instances in which guide dog training
> programs that do not provide unconditional ownership upon completion of
> training have threatened consumers with removal of their dogs or have
> actually repossessed dogs without cause and without due process; and
>
> WHEREAS, Unconditional ownership prevents such arbitrary, capricious, and
> subjective  interference, intervention, intrusion, coercion, threats,
> duress, and intimidation, and
>
> WHEREAS,, It has been demonstrated by those guide dog training programs that
> transfer unconditional ownership upon completion of training that granting
> such unconditional ownership has a positive effect upon the success of a
> guide dog team, its safety, and the long-term health of the guide dog;and
>
> WHEREAS, Anecdotal information from guide dog users demonstrates that
> consumers are more likely to seek assistance for training , safety,
> behavioral, or health issues when they feel confident their possession of
> the guide dog will not be compromised; and
>
> WHEREAS, Policies other than unconditional ownership upon completion of
> training are paternalistic, archaic , and, as such, are incongruent with the
> philosophy and policies of the National Federation of the Blind: Now,
> therefore,
>
> BE IT RESOLVED By the National Federation of the Blind in convention
> assembled this # day of July, 2015 in Orlando, Florida, that this
> organization demand that all guide dog training programs develop policies
> and practices to transfer unconditional ownership of guide dogs to their
> consumers upon completion of training; and
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That these policies include an unwillingness to
> accept anonymous complaints and due processes as outlined by the National
> Association of Guide Dog Users Guide Dog consumers' bill of Rights.
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization commend Freedom guide dogs for
> the Blind, Guide Dogs of America, The Guide Dog Foundation, and The Seeing
> Eye for their recognition of the capacity of the blind as demonstrated by
> their policies of unconditional ownership upon completion of training.
>
> now do.
>
>   
>
> Marion Gwizdala
>
> (813) 626-2789
>
> Blind411 at verizon.net
>
>   
>
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