[Nfbf-l] If these regs pass how long before they do it to guide dogusers
David Evans
drevans at bellsouth.net
Wed May 6 21:12:20 UTC 2009
Dear Marion,
I agree with you and predicted almost 20 years ago that there has to be a
sharpening of the line between service animals that are trained and those
that just provide "comfort or companionship."
I do understand the need and the good effects that these classes of animals
can provide to disabled people.
The difference is that one class is trained and the other is selected by
some haphazard process because it makes someone feel better or can detect
when someone is about to have a seizure. These are not things that the
animal can be trained for, but just comes to some animals naturally and
rarely.
I think that they do need some protections to their use and the right of
someone to benefit from them. I just think that the subject needs to be
discussed much more and standards set for these animals and their use,
anywhere, the same as there are standards that a guide dog must meet . This
will protect the disabled population, the animals and the Public.
Too many people, in my own area try to pass their pets off as a service
animal and take them into cafes, public building, beaches, parks, stores and
on Public Transportation.
The animals should have at least basic obedience training and may need to
show something that shows they are a true service animal, the same way that
a guide dogs special harness shows that it is a guide dog.
Well behaved animals, that meet some standards, will prevent backlash issues
for all users of service animals.
David Evans, NFBF
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
To: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 3:39 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] If these regs pass how long before they do it to guide
dogusers
> 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
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 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)
>>
>>
>>
>>
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