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

Wed May 6 19:39:51 UTC 2009

    Since this is not a blindness issue, NAGDU will remain silent on this! 
My personal feeling, however, is that this is the result of ill-trained 
assistance animals and their handlers. The broad interpretation of the 
legislative intent to allow trained service animals public access has been 
abused by many and this is the repurcussion of this broad interpretation.

Fraternally,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <REPCODDS at aol.com>
To: <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 12:30 PM
Subject: [Nfbf-l] If these regs pass how long before they do it to guide 
dogusers


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> May 01, 2009
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> 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
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> TrackBack URL for this entry:
> http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00e54ed3f137883301156f6d8716970c
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> 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) :
>
>
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> 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)
>
>
>
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