[Njagdu] NJAGDU Division Minutes for August 2013

Sat Aug 17 18:15:17 UTC 2013

---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Vincent Chaney Jr." <vgc732 at optonline.net>
To: Joe J Ruffalo <nfbnj1 at verizon.net>
Cc: New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users <njagdu at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Njagdu] NJAGDU Division Minutes for August 2013
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 14:02:31 -0400

NJAGDU Division meeting Minutes
August 12, 2013

The agenda will cover:
    1. NFB National Convention
       A. Reports by Alice and Lydia on NAGDU Meetings at Convention
    2. Follow-up information and Status of “Dusty’s Law”
       A. A2728 http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A3000/2728_I1.HTM
       B. A4105 http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A4500/4105_I1.HTM
       C. S1907 http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/S2000/1907_I1.HTM
       D. Resource reminder - NJ Legislature Mobile Website http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/wmobile/wmlnjleg.asp
          D-1.Bill information, schedules
    3. Questions and Discussion time

Call to order:
Meeting of NJAGDU was called to order by President Vincent Chaney Monday. August 12, 2013 at 8:01 PM
Roll Call:
Vincent Chaney
Michelle Chaney
Lydia Keller
Angela Perone
Trish Ebel
Les Cameron
Alice Eaddy
Kathy Rawa
Joe Ruffalo

Treasurers Report: We have a balance of $235. We are working to open our own checking account. It had been deemed in 2009 that due to its small balance it was not feasible to do so without bank fees eating it up.

NAGDU Convention reports: From Lydia and Alice
Monday, July 1
Mark Jones, Manager, Domestic Services for Guests with Disabilities, Disney Parks and Resorts, discussed Disney Animal Kingdom and how they prepared animals for exposure to guides, Steve Olson oversees Association of Zoos & Aquariums, also speaker on SeaWorld/Busch Gardens. In the 50 states, only 30 zoos are certified for people with service dogs. Ask upon your arrival what they have in place. NAGDU elections were postponed until Wed.
Wednesday, July 3rd
Roll call was taken, 27th Anniversary of NAGDU was announced. Treasurers’ report and previous minutes were read. Michael Hingson spoke in support of resolution, GDB resolution was accepted. Guide Dog Satisfaction Survey was addressed: schools present were Seeing Eye, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, and Leader Dogs for the Blind and GDB.
In this regard a lot of discussion about GDB school hotline being automated and returned calls to consumers was not taking place. Mike had a list of folks who registered complaints through NAGDU in this matter. Question of who owns the dog? While most schools deferred ownership to the handler several schools maintained that they owned the dog for the first 2 years in exchange for medical coverage. Fidelco had a problem several years ago over a dog removal that left the handler distressed and traumatized the dog as such events create insecurity by constant changes.
This portion of the meeting went back and forth about positive and negatives of the policy the GDB. Resolution 2013-24 passed 27 to 22 in general session. ACB passed a similar resolution at their Convention as well. Look for complete list of resolutions on NFB.org website and in the Aug/Sept Braille Monitor.

Follow up on Dusty’s Law
Lisa Yakomin retired May 3rd; she worked with us as an advocate and advisor. May 6th Assemblyman Charles Mainor, Law and Public Safety, Chair reintroduced  Bill A.4105 and now hopefully we will get more support due to his position and influence now with “Dusty’s Law”. We have gained 2 new sponsors. It is expected that after elections are complete session 215 will become 216 and hopefully they will combine the two assembly bills of A2728 and A4105 along with the Senate S1907 as they are virtually identical. Vincent and Joe spoke that we may still have a chance as the Senate had anonymously passed Dusty’s Law by the committee 6-0 and full Senate 38-0. Ginger Kutsch had told Vincent we unfortunately could be starting from scratch with getting the bill support. Either way Senator Bucco is willing to reintroduce Dusty’s Law if we have to go that route. Dusty’s Law already has Senate recognition and approval. Our last hope is the beginning of Nov. through the middle of January 2014 prior to when the new 216 Legislative Session begins to get it in under the Assembly Bill. Joe said it should pass again it’s the Assembly that’s the hold up, but we are not asking for money just for the law to be changed. Bills are only as good as they are enforced.

The first Assistance Animal Recognition Day is August 14, 2013 but under the Assembly there is to be a Service Dog Week. Vincent will follow up to determine whether it was accepted as a week or a month.
There was some discussion about service dog handlers failing to control their animals. Trish stated that under the new law therapy and support dogs are not allowed in public. Trish will send this information to Kathy and the NJAGDU list serve, as she has expertise in ADA definitions.
Kathy identified a situation that arose at the birth of grandchild where she had to be gowned and endure 5 minute surgical scrub while others entering the same unit were not as rigorously attended to; also Dorito was left unattended with no one watching her as she was originally told.
Joe Ruffalo said that Dusty’s Law and issues about fake service animals are creating major problems for legitimate handlers by setting bad impressions. Perhaps we should ask our respective schools and NAGDU how they are addressing this issue. According to Vincent and Trish, as to the ADA the dog is supposed to be trained to perform a particular function for the person with the disability. Comfort and therapy dogs can be on public modes of transportation. Guide Dogs in training are required to produce documentation. A dog in training is requesting access to a public establishment but does not have the Civil Rights to enter where a trained Guide Dog handler and his/her Guide Dog are able. Therapy dogs cannot walk in our dogs paw prints. These “Fake Service Animals” loopholes are making something that’s supposed to be good a negative. Constant education of the public is our job whether we use a cane or a dog. Do not get antagonistic but always carry your Guide Dog school’s ID with you as a good practice.
Angela asked a question on behalf of 4H puppy walkers who are being denied access. The laws are different for puppies because they have not been properly trained they need permission from establishments as they are not trained how to act in public yet. Joe liked it to the teens with drivers licenses-restrictions may apply about where they can drive and how many people can be in the vehicle. Dog Guides in training wear bandanas or vests and the puppy raisers carry ID. Trish was asked by Michelle to e-mail ADA changes information so that it can be posted on the various list serves and Divisions within the NJNFB. 
NAGDU has a twitter account and is in competition with the travel & Tourism Division for Twitter followers. NAGDU now has 22 followers to T&T’s 30.  I encourage everyone to go to http://www.twitter.com/nagdu1 and click on the “Follow” link! We only need 8 more followers to catch up and 9 to overtake them. Keep in mind, though, that they are actively recruiting followers, so let’s not be complacent! Let’s make a concerted effort and overtake T&T in a big way!  You can also subscribe to our NAGDU Word press blog by going to http://harnessup.wordpress.com.
Michelle moved and Trish seconded that the meeting should be concluded. Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. the next meeting will be Monday, Sept. 16th at 8 p.m.
The agenda for September 16th will be sent prior to the meeting.
Minutes are submitted by Alice Eaddy, Assistant Secretary

Vinny
Vincent G Chaney Jr
732-251-8650
President, NFBNJ New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users
President, NFBNJ Diabetes Division
Vice President, NFBNJ Technology Division
Webmaster: nfbnj.org http://www.nfbnj.org

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