[Nfbf-l] [NFBF-Leaders] Convention Transportation option for Monday 5/27.

Wed May 1 00:48:07 UTC 2019

Marian,

I'm sorry, but with all due respect, I do not see it the same way you do.
As I see it, this is not about someone else assessing what is best for you.
It is about simply assuring there will be room on a particular vehicle for
you and your service animal.  there is no way you or I could assess whether
or there is enough room for ourselves and our dog as we have no way of
knowing how many other passengers will also be riding on that same vehicle.

So, at this point, I think we just simply have to agree to disagree.

Take care.

Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbf-l <nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Marion Gwizdala via
Nfbf-l
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2019 7:41 PM
To: 'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List' <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Marion Gwizdala <marion.gwizdala at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] [NFBF-Leaders] Convention Transportation option for
Monday 5/27.

Pat,

	There are two things I would like to say based upon your message.
Firstly, though what you say about para transit services is so, I believe
that the only time this would be an issue is when the transit provider is
using a sedan to transport their customers. On the average mini van or small
bus, space is not an issue. In fact, In 2015 when I was denied a ride on
para transit using this excuse, I offered to demonstrate that three people
and three dogs could comfortably and safely ride. My offer was declined;
they would rather sit in their ignorance rather than be proven wrong! Though
this excuse sounds good, it is an arbitrary inference that is false.
Secondly, from what I gather from the message, the transportation provider
in question concerning the notification request is not a para transit
provider but a charter service.

	I believe that we, the blind who use guide dogs, have the capacity
to assess whether there is enough space for us and our dogs. We hear this
reasoning from guide dog training programs and the airlines who claim it is
best for us to ride in the bulkhead seat where our dogs are not secured and
take up our leg room. They believe they know what is best for us! Pardon me!
I know what is best for me! I am an adult and can make my own decisions
based upon my experience. JMHO!

Fraternally yours,
Marion

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of PLipovsky via
Nfbf-l
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2019 5:56 PM
To: 'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List'
Cc: PLipovsky
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] [NFBF-Leaders] Convention Transportation option for
Monday 5/27.

Hello.

I know this doesn't concern me,  but I just wanted to mention that it has
been my experience from riding paratransit throughout this state and also in
other states with my Seeing Eye dog that each company will ask if you are
traveling with a dog so as to make sure they allow enough room on the
vehicle.  It has nothing to do with stepping out of the boundaries of the
law.

Thanks.
f
-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbf-l <nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Nicole D
Fincham-Shehan via Nfbf-l
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2019 5:19 PM
To: Marion Gwizdala <marion.gwizdala at verizon.net>
Cc: Nicole D Fincham-Shehan <ndfinchamshehan at yahoo.com>; NFB of Florida
Internet Mailing List <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>; NFB of Florida List for Leaders
<nfbf-leaders at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] [NFBF-Leaders] Convention Transportation option for
Monday 5/27.

Hello

Thank you for your email and your concerns. However, I did not write this
original email giving out the transportation information. I simply replied
to the email and had given my home telephone number out for everyone to
have, in addition, to the cell phone number and email address that was given
to them in the original email.

I did make mention on the telephone call last night asking for individuals
to let me know if they had a service animal, and it was not to offend
anyone. It was just simply to inquire that we would have enough space
considering that everyone would have luggage. In addition, it was made clear
to me last night that if the individual has a service animal or not would be
irrelevant, and I said nothing further of the nature.

Therefore, I would appreciate it if you would apologize to me, again because
I did not write this original email and send it out to everyone   So, you
may want to go to the start of this original thread.

Thank you
Nicole

Vice President
NFB of Palm Beach
NFB of Florida 

Nicole D. Fincham-Shehan 
ADA Consultant
Health Educator 
Work Phone: 561-328-8191
Cell Phone: 410-493-4461 
Email Address: ndfinchamshehan at yahoo.com 

On Apr 30, 2019, at 3:57 PM, Marion Gwizdala <marion.gwizdala at verizon.net>
wrote:

Nicole,

   I am deeply troubled by the implications of this message. As the
president of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, I generally advise
against giving advance notice of the presence of a guide dog. Title III of
the Americans with Disabilities Act and 413.08 f.s.  requires entities to
modify their policies, practices, and procedures to allow an individual
accompanied by a service animal equal access to the goods and services
offered. The presence of a service dog is irrelevant, as it is considered
discriminatory for an entity to deny access to individuals accompanied by a
service animal or providing individuals accompanied by service animals
unequal or separate benefits. As a leader in this organization, I take issue
with asking individuals accompanied by service animals to give advance
notice, as such a requirement is in violation of the implementing
regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act found at 28 CFR Section
36.302 and 413.08 f.s. For the past several years, the National Association
of Guide Dog Users and the National Federation of the Blind have been
advocating for the rights of blind people to travel unencumbered with their
guide dogs as several airlines have implemented requirements of advance
notification that we are traveling with our guide dogs inviolation of
federal law. Other Title III entities, such as over-the-road buses,
taxicabs, restaurants, and hotels,  have attempted to implement policies
requiring individuals accompanied by service animals to provide advance
notice and the Department of Justice has ruled against them, assessing
significant fines. This message asks individuals accompanied by guide dogs
to give advance notice, contrary to the ADA, state law, and the efforts of
the National Federation of the blind. 

   As a member of the NFB, you have pledged to support the policies and
practices of the Federation. If this requirement was something taken upon by
an individual, it would be good to consult with our guide dog users'
division leaders for guidance before making such a requirement. If this is
something required by the transportation service, it should have been
brought to the attention of our leadership so we could have educated the
company of their obligation to comply with state and federal law. In either
case, I urge you to edit this message and recirculate it with this
requirement removed.

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users
National Federation of the Blind

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBF-Leaders [mailto:nfbf-leaders-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Nicole D Fincham-Shehan via NFBF-Leaders
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2019 12:15 PM
To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
Cc: Nicole D Fincham-Shehan; NFBF
Subject: Re: [NFBF-Leaders] [Nfbf-l] Convention Transportation option for
Monday 5/27.

Hello All

I can also be locally contacted at 561-328-8191. This is my home number.

Thank you 
Nicole

Vice President 
NFB of Palm Beach 
Coordinator of Blind Parents Connect
NFB of Florida 

Nicole D. Fincham-Shehan 
ADA Consultant
Health Educator 
Work Phone: 561-328-8191
Cell Phone: 410-493-4461 
Email Address: ndfinchamshehan at yahoo.com 

On Apr 30, 2019, at 12:06 PM, Denise Valkema via Nfbf-l <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

Palm Tran is providing paratransit services for incoming travelers using
Tri-Rail, Amtrak and Greyhound. Any members needing to use paratransit while
in Palm Beach must request visitor status in order to receive these
services. Palm Tran will not be in operation on Monday, May 27, due to the
Memorial Day holiday. First Transit is providing services for convention
attendees to return them to the train station in West Palm Beach  and local
residences. 

If you wish to take this option for transportation, please provide your
information to Nicole Fincham-Sheehan, including addresses (if local
residents), departure time for train/bus, how many individuals are
travelling together and whether passengers have mobility aids or service
animals. The deadline to submit your information to Nicole is Wednesday, May
15.  Nicole can be reached by phone: at (410) 493-4461 or email:
Ndfinchamshehan at yahoo.com.

We are just wanting to give you travel options  for you to consider in
planning your own travel to and from convention. 

We will have an open convention planning  teleconference on Wednesday, May
8,  2019 @ 8pm by dialing: (712) 775-7031, code: 938047311#. All are
welcome!

Together, 
Denise Valkema, President
National Federation of the Blind of Florida
President at nfbflorida.org
(305)972-8529
WWW.NFBFLORIDA.ORG
Follow us @nfbflorida
Live the life you want.
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