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Dear All,<br>
<br>
I am sending this message to keep everyone abreast of the work the
National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of Guide
Dog Users is doing to ensure our rights as guide dog users are protected.
On February 2, Anil Lewis and I met with officials from Delta Airlines at
their Atlanta headquarters to discuss their policy. The below release is
the result of this meeting.<br>
<br>
Fraternally yours,<br>
Marion Gwizdala, President<br>
National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
(813) 626-2789<br>
President@NAGDU.ORG<br>
<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br><br>
<h1><b>Delta service and support animal policy effective March 1,
enhancements added</b></h1>By Staff Writer • posted Feb. 22, 2018 1:00 pm
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://news.delta.com/delta-service-and-support-animal-policy-effective-march-1-enhancements-added" eudora="autourl">
http://news.delta.com/delta-service-and-support-animal-policy-effective-march-1-enhancements-added<br>
</a> <br>
Updated on Feb. 22, 2018 <br>
<br>
In January, Delta announced
<a href="http://news.delta.com/delta-introduces-enhanced-requirements-customers-traveling-service-or-support-animals-effective">
policy changes for those traveling with service and support animals</a>
to support the airline's top priority of safety, after an 84 percent
increase in reported service and support animal incidents since 2016.
Based on conversations with key stakeholders in the disability community,
the airline is further enhancing its policy effective March 1.<br>
"We are implementing these changes for the safety of all customers,
employees and trained service and support animals flying Delta, while
supporting the rights of customers with legitimate needs, such as
veterans with disabilities," said John Laughter, Delta's Senior Vice
President Corporate Safety, Security and Compliance. "While we
will require that all animals not confined to kennels in the cabin have
up-to-date vaccinations, we enhanced our policy to make online submission
optional for those individuals who are blind or have reduced vision or
other disabilities and have trained service animals."<br>
In developing the updated requirements, Delta solicited the feedback and
input of its 15-member
<a href="https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/special-travel-needs/disabilities/advisory-board-on-disability.html">
<b>Advisory Board on Disability</a></b>, a group of advocates established
more than a decade ago and made up of Delta frequent flyers with a range
of disabilities. Following the announcement, Delta and its Advisory Board
on Disability continued conversations with a diverse mix of advocacy
groups that represent people who rely on trained service animals, such as
the National Federation of the Blind.<br>
"We are pleased that Delta has responded in a timely way to the
concerns we raised about their policy for guide dogs and other service
animals, including making enhancements," said Mark Riccobono,
President of the National Federation of the Blind. "We also note
Delta's expressed commitment to listening to its passengers. In light of
that commitment, we look forward to sharing our expertise with Delta so
that it can provide equal service to blind passengers in all of its
operations."<br>
<b>A closer look at service and support animal policies <br>
</b>Since Delta's announcement, other airlines have implemented changes
and media outlets continue to highlight the lack of regulation and the
increased availability of fraudulent certification.
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/tripping/wp/2018/01/22/delta-is-tightening-restrictions-on-service-animals-its-about-time/?utm_term=.5b6fdbb66e59">
Washington Post</a>: "It's been abetted by loopholes in well-meaning
legislation…that were intended to make sure that people who have
disabilities and their trained service animals would be able to get
around without hassles. But many pet owners, not to mention a bunch of
online registration companies, have taken advantage of the law."
<li>
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-delta-support-animals-airlines-20180119-story.html">
Chicago Tribune</a>: "This policy (in the U.S.) has spawned a host
of websites offering quick, easy certification. One offers 24-hour
service, including a five-minute questionnaire and chat with a licensed
therapist. Says the site, 'Getting an ESA Qualification Has Never Been
Easier'… The dual policy is an invitation to people willing to scam the
system without regard for their cabin mates."
</ul>Outside of the aviation industry, a dramatic increase in fraudulent
service animals has led
<a href="https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-assistance-animal-laws">
18 states to introduce laws</a> that make it a crime to fraudulently
represent a service animal.<br>
<b>Delta's updated policy effective March 1 <br>
</b>Any customer traveling with a service or support animal on or after
March 1 will need to meet the new requirements as outlined below:<br>
<b>Traveling with a trained service animal</b>
<ul>
<li>In some cases, customers with a trained service animal may be asked
to show the animal's Veterinary Health Form and/or an immunization record
or other proof that the animal's vaccinations are up to date. Customers
are encouraged, but not required, to submit this form to Delta's Service
Animal Support Desk via Delta.com before traveling.
<li>These customers can check-in via Delta.com, the Fly Delta mobile app,
airport kiosks or with an airport agent.
</ul><b>Traveling with an emotional support animal or psychiatric service
animal</b>
<ul>
<li>Customers traveling with an emotional support animal or psychiatric
service animal will be required to submit a signed Veterinary Health Form
and/or an immunization record (current within one year of the travel
date), an Emotional Support/Psychiatric Service Animal Request form that
requires a letter prepared and signed by a doctor or licensed mental
health professional, and a signed Confirmation of Animal Training form.
These forms are required and must be submitted to Delta's Service Animal
Support Desk via Delta.com at least 48 hours before travel.
<li>These customers <b>must </b>use the full-service check-in process
with an airport agent.
</ul>Delta established the Service Animal Support Desk to improve the
travel experience for customers traveling with service and support
animals. This desk will verify that the above documentation is received
and confirm the customer's reservation to travel with an emotional
support or psychiatric service animal before arrival at the airport. If a
form is not completed, a representative will communicate with the
customer via e-mail to request the missing or incomplete items.<br>
Delta carries more than 250,000 service and support animals annually, an
increase of nearly 150 percent since 2015. The airline does not accept
exotic or unusual service or support animals. Additional information on
types of accepted animals and other questions related to traveling with
service and suppo<br>
<br>
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