[Nfbf-l] Tell them it is a Service Dog!

Mon Nov 29 18:02:59 UTC 2010

Hi David,

To answer your question about the full body scanners, currently, they are
too small to accommodate a person and dog together.  Neither can they
accommodate a person in a wheelchair.  As it stands, we can go through the
regular metal detector.  You aren't subject to a pat down unless 1.  you are
one of the unfortunates randomly selected for a pat down, or 2.  if you set
off the metal detector as you pass through.  It isn't a bad idea to carry
your school's Id card, but as you stated so well, it isn't obligatory to
show it.  Many of us have adopted the technique of putting our dogs at a sit
stay at the point where you walk through.  We then drop the leash, reminding
the dog again to stay, and walk through.  I usually take the screener's hand
so I don't inadvertently run into the side of the detector.  This takes just
a couple seconds of course.  Then we call the dog through, and give lots of
praise.  The dog's gear usually sets off the alarm, so they only have to
inspect and pat down the dogs.  Most of them love this, and think it's some
sort of fun game.  By dropping the leash, there is no mistaking which one of
you set off the alarm, so this way you avoid the new more invasive pat down.
I don't make a big issue about this with the screeners.  I just tell them
I'm going through first, and don't ever ask whether I can drop the leash.
If you act confidently in this process, it sure helps.  In defense of the
screeners, of course some blind people are not at all independent.  So the
poor screener never knows what they're dealing with.  I also try to be
friendly, as rudeness is never good.  But assertiveness is.  Confidence and
knowing exactly how you plan to walk through with your dog will usually
result in a successful security experience.  I was going to call it good,
but that's going too far (smile.)

 Give that lovely big boy Jack a pat for me.

Sherrill and Fallon

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
Behalf Of David Evans
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2010 11:30 AM
To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List; Sherri; sheila
Cc: Ralph Ingram; FRG-BVA at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Tell them it is a Service Dog!

Dear Kirk,

I believe that you are wrong in this one area of your presentation.
You do not, under the ADA have to carry or show anything to anyone, that
says that your dog is a service dog.
Some animals are privately trained or trained by their owner/user and
therefore can not be certified by a recognized agency.
These dogs are an acception and not the rule as most do come from agencies
such as "Seeing Eye", Southeast Guide Dog, or many of the other guide dog
schools.
These dogs all have a tattoo in their ear, an imbedded RF chip in their neck
and a special id disk on their collar.
By law, the only questions they can as of you are, "Is this a service
animal", and "What service does it perform for you."
If they ask more than this it is a ADA violation.
They must accept your word for it or violate the law.
The animal does not have to perform for them or do anything else.
Even being an employee of the TSA does not protect them from a civil lawsuit
if they go too far.
Under the latest ruling from the DOJ, only dogs and Mini horses are
considered to be true service animals.  Emotional support animals are not
considered service animals but are pets.  They do not have the protection of
the ADA.  They must be confined to a pet carrier if small enough or to the
baggage storage area if too large.

I am currently investigating why the TSA policy is that we, and our dogs,
can not be screened by walking through the full body scanners, like everyone
else and must and can only be cleared by the use of a pat down.
I just want them to explain to me why my dog can not go through the scanner
and I can, or the lady with small children can and my dog can't.
They just need to give me some reasons I can accept.
Otherwise , it just gives them another way to discriminate and set us aside
as profoundly different than everyone else.
If they don't have to touch me or my dog, so much the better.

David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kirk" <kvharmon54 at gmail.com>
To: "Sherri" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>; "sheila" <sayoung125 at att.net>
Cc: <FRG-BVA at yahoogroups.com>; "Ralph Ingram" <ralphingram99 at gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2010 5:56 PM
Subject: [Nfbf-l] Tell them it is a Service Dog!

> Hi my friends, I thought this was worth passing along to our friends that
> travel and have service Dogs!
> What To Expect If You Are Blind Or Visually Impaired And Use A Service Dog
> If you are blind or visually impaired and use a service dog, both you and
> your dog will have to go through screening.
> What Choices, If Any, Do You Have in the Screening Process?
> You will not be eligible for screening using Advanced Imaging Technology
> (AIT).
> You can choose to undergo Walk Through Metal Detector (WTMD) screening, or
> request a pat-down. A pat-down may be conducted in a private screening
> area
> by an officer of the same gender.
> IF YOU AND YOUR DOG GO THROUGH THE WTMD TOGETHER AND ALARM, BOTH OF YOU
> WILL
> HAVE TO UNDERGO ADDITIONAL SCREENING.
> 1. To resolve the passenger alarm, the Transportation Security Officer
> (TSO)
> will conduct a pat-down to verify that no prohibited items are present.
> 2. Since your dog's harness most likely contains metal, the TSO will need
> to
> physically inspect your dog and its belongings (collar, harness, leash,
> backpack, vest, etc.) in order to resolve the alarm. Although the dog's
> harness will not be removed, it and other items that s/he may be carrying
> such as a backpack are subject to screening.
>
> IF YOU AND YOUR DOG WALK THOUGH THE WTMD INDIVIDUALLY AND ONE OR BOTH OF
> YOU
> ALARM Additional screening will be conducted as described above on whoever
> causes the alarm.
>
> WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FACILITATE THE SCREENING PROCESS
>
> 1. Inform the Security Officer that the animal accompanying you is a
> service
> animal and not a pet, and carry appropriate identification to verify this
> fact.
>
> 2. Inform the Security Officer how you and your dog will walk through the
> WTMD (walking together or with the service dog walking in front or behind
> you).
>
> 3. Keep control of your service animal while the TSO conducts the
> screening.
>
> WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU EXPECT
>
> The TSO should:
>
> * Offer to assist you in placing your accessible property on the x-ray
> belt.
> * Provide you with verbal instructions regarding the screening process.
> * Allow you to stay with your dog throughout the entire screening process.
> * Allow you to go to the front of the screening line if you choose to do
> so.
> * Allow you to go to the front of the line to be re-screened when you have
> to leave the checkpoint to take your animal to a service animal relief
> area.
>
> WHAT ARE SOME OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
>
> If you leave the sterile area to relieve your dog, you will have to
> undergo
> the entire screening process again. When you return to the security
> checkpoint, however, you are entitled to move to the front of the
> screening
> line to expedite the process.
>
> Medication for service animals is permitted through security checkpoints
> once it has undergone x-ray or visual inspection screening. All liquids,
> gels, or aerosols will have to undergo Liquid Container Screening.
>
> _______________________________________________
> gdui-announce mailing list
> gdui-announce at acb.org
> http://www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/gdui-announce
>
>
>
> __._,_.___
> Kirk Harmon
> President & CEO
> Florida Disabled Citizens
> for Progress
> P.O.Box 61794
> Jacksonville, FL 32236
> PH(904) 783-9896
> Cell: (407) 473-2176
> DAV/BVA
> Life Member
>
> " TURNING HOPE INTO REALITY"
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