[Nfbf-l] If these regs pass how long before they do it to guide dog users

Wed May 6 16:30:57 UTC 2009

May 01, 2009

Action Alert: Service Animal Restrictions on Airlines in  Consideration

>From Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance  (4/28/09): 
_Take  Action: Send a Letter and STOP this Discrimination_ 
(http://capwiz.com/ndmda/issues/alert/?alertid=13234471) 
Advocacy  Alert: New Discrimination against People Living with a  Mental 
Illness

For years, the U.S. has been a world  leader in promoting equal access for 
all Americans, including the disabled.  However, recently there has been a 
proposed ruling that will change that.   You may have seen a person with a 
disability such as blindness use a service  animal but did you know that dogs 
can be trained to assist a person disabled by  mental illness?  
The use of Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs) has afforded many mentally  
disabled individuals to reach a new level of wellness and the opportunity to  
lead happy and productive lives. Service animals play an important role in  
helping the consumer manage and alleviate severe symptoms such as anxiety,  
hallucinations and mania.   
However, now the rights of those who use a service animal as part of their  
wellness plan, are being challenged by new rulings that will provide new  
regulations that just don’t make sense. Congressional subcommitees want to 
make  revisions to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).

The Air Carrier Access  Act prohibits discrimination in air transportation 
by airlines against  qualified individuals with physical or mental 
impairments. Requirements address  a wide range of issues including boarding 
assistance and certain accessibility  features in newly built aircraft and new or 
altered airport  facilities.

Now, the Department of Transportation wants: 
    *   To ask passengers about their disabilities and about the training 
of their  service animal.  
    *   Provide special documentation regarding the medical need for the 
service  animal and disclosure of the handler’s diagnosis as someone who is  
mentally-ill  
    *   To require that service animal handlers, with mental health 
disabilities,  provide the airline 48 hours advance notice before travel will be 
authorized.  
What is most appalling is that it is ONLY people with mental  illness who 
will be required to show medical documentation and give 48 hours  advance 
notice and not people with any other types of  disabilities! 
We must stop the  discrimination NOW.  Please join us in sending a letter 
to  members of the Department of Transportation subcommittee before these new 
rules  are put into place.  Let’s never forget that our democracy is based 
on the  principles of equality and freedom.  Please, let’s keep it that  way.

Posted at 11:49 AM in _***ACTION  ALERTS***_ 
(http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/action_alerts/) , _Disability  Community_ 
(http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/disability_community/) , _Disability  Stereotypes_ 
(http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/disability_stereotypes_/) , 
_Discrimination_ (http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/discrimination/) ,  
_Legislative_ (http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/legislative/) ,  _Public  
Attitudes_ (http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/public_attitudes/) , 
_Self-Advocacy_ (http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/selfadvocacy/) ,  
_Transportation_ (http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/transportation/) ,  
_Travel_ (http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/travel/)  | _Permalink_ 
(http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2009/05/action-alert-service-animal-r
estrictions-on-airlines-in-consideration.html)  

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00e54ed3f137883301156f6d8716970c

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference _Action  Alert: Service 
Animal Restrictions on Airlines in Consideration_ 
(http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2009/05/action-alert-service-animal-restrictions-on-airlines-in
-consideration.html) :

Comments

This raises a lot of questions. You want us to write letters. To whom? Has 
a  bill been introduced? If so, what is the number and who is supporting it? 
What  congressional subcommittees want to make these changes? When was it 
discussed?  Will there be a hearing on these changes? Who should we contact 
at the  Department of Transportation? 
Also, is this action relating to service animals (ie, task trained animals) 
 or emotional support animals? Several airlines already have documentation  
requirements in place for emotional support animals that are similar to the 
 proposed ones listed above. The article on the Depression and Bipolar 
Support  Alliance website does not make any distinction between the two. 
To summarize, I don't know how I can effectively advocate for or against an 
 unknown piece of possible legislation proposed by unknown people in 
unknown  congressional subcommittees that will affect animals that may be service 
animals  or may be emotional support animals. I'd like to see some follow up 
on this, as  in its current form, this action alert is useless.
Posted by: Tiffany Huggard-Lee | _May  04, 2009 at 08:46 AM_ 
(http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2009/05/action-alert-service-animal-restrictions-
on-airlines-in-consideration.html?cid=6a00e54ed3f13788330115706c1f5c970b#com
ment-6a00e54ed3f13788330115706c1f5c970b)  

I need help, and fast . . .
"One Door for William C." My son has fragile  bones, progressive with bone 
pain, etc. and uses a wheelchair and walker. He was  looking forward to 
second grade and hoping for a press button (automatic) door  for entry into 
school for independent entry. If you think the schools must put  in even just 
one door for William, please call Mr. Jesse Perkins at (225)  635-3891.
P.S. We're training for his companion/service dog right now and  need all 
the support we can get on this issue.
Posted by: Catherine C. | _May  05, 2009 at 08:10 AM_ 
(http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2009/05/action-alert-service-animal-restrictions-on-airl
ines-in-consideration.html?cid=6a00e54ed3f13788330115706ef761970b#comment-6a
00e54ed3f13788330115706ef761970b)  

This is actually very old news. Public notices went out a very long time 
ago  (probably at around 1 year ago) seeking public comment. All the major 
service  dog providers such as Guide dogs of America, Canine Companions for 
Independence,  and many others already chimed in on it and, in fact, played a 
major role in the  writing of the new regulations. All geared towards equal 
access while at the  same time putting a dent in the rampant fraud of 
everyone and their brother that  wants to take their untrained pet animals 
everywhere with them while claiming  ADA Service dog protection.
As usual, yet another action alert that totally  misses the mark here. This 
group here seems to be way behind the times and way  off the mark on their 
action alert calls yet I keep checking HOPING they'll  actually find one 
that's current and that working on will actually help the  disabled community.
Posted by: Giving Up On You | _May  05, 2009 at 06:09 PM_ 
(http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2009/05/action-alert-service-animal-restrictions-on-
airlines-in-consideration.html?cid=6a00e54ed3f137883301156f7a6e7a970c#commen
t-6a00e54ed3f137883301156f7a6e7a970c)  

Verify your  Comment
Previewing your  Comment

Posted by:  |  

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted. 

Your comment could not be posted.  Error type: 
Your comment has been  posted. _Post another comment_ (javascript:void 0;)  

The letters and numbers  you entered did not match the image. Please try 
again. 
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers  
you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting  
comments. 
Having trouble reading this image? _View  an alternate._ 
(http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2009/05/action-alert-service-animal-restrictions-on-a
irlines-in-consideration.html#comment-captcha) 

Post a comment

(URLs automatically linked.) 

Your Information 
(Name and email address are required. Email address will not be displayed  
with the comment.)  
Name is required to post a  comment  
Please  enter a valid email address  
Invalid  URL 

**************Remember Mom this Mother's Day! Find a florist near you now. 
(http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=florist&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000006)