<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Please circulate the following information as widely as appropriate. For more information, please send an email to <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:info@nagdu.org">info@nagdu.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The United States Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs is preparing to promulgate interim regulations for the Air Carrier Access Act concerning the carriage of service animals and emotional support animals. These interim regulations will create new rules for the ACAA that will be effective until new regulations can be promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation. At some point after the release of the interim regulations, the DOT will release an Advance Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) at which time the public will have an opportunity to make comment. After the comment period, the DOT will then release a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) and afford another comment period.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> On Monday, May 7, representatives from the National Federation of the Blind in consultation with the National Association of Guide Dog Users, its special interest division, met with officials from the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to offer input concerning the interim rules. It is important to understand that the interim rules have not been released nor do we have any information about their content. We were only afforded an opportunity to present our position on what we feel these regulations should entail. The Office did ask questions of our representatives; however, their line of questioning did not reveal any specific information about the content of the interim regulations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The position we presented was that service animal users should not be subjected to any additional requirements, such as advance notification, proof of immunization, documentation of the animal’s training, nor specific restrictions for check-in. We stated that service animal users should have the freedom to spontaneously purchase air travel accommodations on terms of full equality with our nondisabled peers. We are hoping the interim regulations will reflect the input we have offered to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have been told that the interim regulations are planned for release in time to be implemented by the summer travel season. As soon as the interim regulations are released, we will post a message to the NAGDU Twitter feed and to our Facebook group. If you would like to be among the first to receive this information, please subscribe to our social media accounts by following the links below my signature.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fraternally yours,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion Gwizdala, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(813) 626-2789<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President@NAGDU.ORG<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://nagdu.org/">Visit our website</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://twitter.com/nagdu">Follow us on Twitter</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds you back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>