[NAGDU] To Tina, Janine, and regarding different ways of handling access issues

[Cindy Ray]

We cannot demand accountability from everyone. Is it an ideal? Yes. However, there are those who simply don’t see the value of united action, at least they don’t until they become victims of discrimination or separate but equal treatment. Let’s try not to be so heavy handed about what people need to do. We can try to make them feel a little guilty, but mainly to lead by example will often be our best shot.

Cindy Lou Ray
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 24, 2023, at 11:04 AM, Heather Bird via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> So, the first thing I want to say, is this. When we have conversations, on an email list, a WhatsApp group, Facebook group, or in person, one of the main benefits of people, sharing their experiences, is so that we can discuss, debate, teach others, and learn from others. Often, the subject that starts a topic, is most beneficial, because it leads to productive discussion, the sharing of different points of view, and act as a springboard for important topics, being considered, or reconsidered. I’m not saying that there isn’t a place for sharing your own individual story, and I’m not saying that  Action cannot be taken on a list or another venue to help an individual. However, the main benefit is the information sharing in perspective for all. To that end, if someone shares a story, whether I agree with them or disagree with them, isn’t, super relevant, what is helpful is the discussion that ensues as a result of their sharing an experience or an opinion with the list. I think this is important, because I want to ensure that Tina realizes that no one is, or at least no one should be, attacking her personally, or her specific decision. Rather, the discussion is underway of what is the correct thing to do? And why is this so? And are there different possible correct? Choices in different situations, or for different people? 
> 
> If I remember correctly, Tina, you are from California? I know that California is one of those states that has a lot of laws that differ significantly from laws in other states, and, or, from federal laws. So, my initial question was wondering if perhaps California state law had found someway to get around the federal law requiring Individuals with service dogs, somehow, to be compelled to provide information ahead of time to paratransit companies? I understand that the ADA protects us from this, but I know that you are an experienced handler, and so, I was thinking that perhaps this was legitimately some weird loophole in the law. I’d like to keep myself informed, and was trying to figure out if I was missing something. 
> 
> I think that Janine makes a good point. I would like to add something to it though. If it causes someone a great deal of anxiety, and they were a person with PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, or another psychiatric condition, then they should have some options in their tool kit to help mitigate some of the controversy and stress. However, if you do not have one of those conditions, and the anxiety we’re talking about is minimal, I would argue that you have a duty to stand up, and do the right thing, and fight the good fight, not only for other blind people, but to help out those who genuinely have a significant anxiety disorder, and who would love to fight the good fight, but genuinely cannot. I guess what I’m talking about. Here is the difference between significant anxiety, and a little bit of social discomfort. No matter who you are, even if you don’t have any sort of mental health concerns, fighting for access, and engaging in advocacy is generally a stressful thing, but that doesn’t mean we get to opt out. Also, just because you have a genuine and significant mental health concern, such as generalized anxiety disorder, or PTSD, doesn’t let you off the hook from taking any action whatsoever. You might show your ID, you might notify a company ahead of time that you have a service dog, but, You might notify the school from which you obtained your dog of the problem, you might write a letter to your local newspaper, you might reach out to your local chapter president, or AGDU president, you might request that a friend accompany you, to help fight the access issue with you, so you don’t have to do it alone. You might notify a friend who has a service dog for a different type of disability, so that they can engage with the same company, and if the situation occurs, they will have the mental and emotional bandwidth  to stand up to the company and try to educate them through action. If you have a legitimate concern, it doesn’t mean you get to do nothing, it means you do what is healthy and safe for you, and then you find a retroactive action that will allow you to be responsible, without jeopardizing your own health or mental health. For instance, if you don’t have great balance, and you’re not very athletic, trying to run alongside an Uber and open the door, could get you, and your dog, hurt very badly. So, maybe you take a screenshot of the drivers information and license plate, so that if they leave you, you can document it. If you urgently need to get to the bedside of a friend in the hospital, who could die at any minute, maybe you call an Uber pet, because it will be guaranteed to pick up you and your dog, and get you there in time to see your friend one last time. I’m not heartless, and I don’t demand perfection, and I don’t think it’s right of any of us to do so. But I think we should demand accountability , and work together to help each other, engage in advocacy, and as it were, fight, the good fight. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
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