[Njagdu] FW: NFBNJ: NJ Association of Guide Dog Users September 16th Meeting

Mon Sep 16 21:35:31 UTC 2013

FYI…

This is a reminder message of this evenings New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users meeting at 8 PM. Please remember the Free Conference Service we are using has changed our dial-in conference line.

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 <http://www.nfbnj.org/> 

From: Brian Mackey [mailto:bmackey88 at gmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2013 7:03 PM
To: Brian Mackey
Subject: NFBNJ: NJ Association of Guide Dog Users September 16th Meeting
Importance: High

>From the desk of President Joe Ruffalo.

Received from Vincent Chaney, President, NJAGDU.

Greetings to all!

Thank you vincent for the information.

I have asked Brian to forward to all on our email lists your informational message.

For those that are guide dog users, had a guide dog and are waiting for another opportunity and those that live in a home where there is an active guide dog, please consider joining us on this call.

The message and the minutes from the previous meeting follows.

To The NJAGDU (New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users) Members and Those Whom Wish to Join,

Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 16, 2013 at 8 PM EDT as planned during the August meeting.  Please let me know if you will or will not be able to attend.

Please note the change of the conference phone number we will now be using. I am including the message which I forwarded on August 28th notifying us of the change. The conference code is the same we had been using (462721#). 

The conference call will be using the following number for our meeting:

    Dial-in number: 1 712 432 0360

    Conference Code: 462721#

The agenda will cover:

    1. Reports

    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

    3. NJAGDU State Convention Basket

    4. Questions and Discussion time

Please also share of our New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users with anyone whom may not know of our division.

Thank you for your reply to my message and hope you will be available to attend...

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 <http://www.nfbnj.org/> 

From: Vincent Chaney Jr. [mailto:vgc732 at optonline.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 10:40 PM
To: New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Joe J Ruffalo (nfbnj1 at verizon.net)
Subject: Free Conference Call Changing Phone Number for NJAGDU Division

Greetings To Everyone:

I received a message from our Free Conference Call service that our dial-in phone number will be changing affective September 16th. We are to continue to use the current line until that date. This would affect the 3 NFB NJ divisions using this conference number. The three divisions are:

Diabetes Division of the NFBNJ

New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users

NFB New Jersey Technology Division

Important Service Update from FreeConferenceCall.com

Important Service Update

Greetings from FreeConferenceCall.com <http://newscontrol2011.freeconferencecall.com/r.html?uid=1.he.qj2x.ddv.izq07214ua> !

This email is to inform you that on September 16th your FreeConferenceCall numbers will be permanently changing from (218) 339‑4600 to (712) 432‑0360 for conferencing. This change is part of FreeConferenceCall.com's effort to provide the best quality of service possible.

Please continue to use your current conference numbers until September 16th. Starting September 16th, both host and participants will need to use the new conference numbers. Your access codes will remain the same.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

Thank you, and have a pleasant day.

Best regards,

The FreeConferenceCall.com Team

***

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

 Forwarded by: 

Brian A. Mackey

Brian A. Mackey

Mackey Enterprises LLC

National Federation of the Blind of NJ, Secretary

609-953-6988

 <mailto:bmackey88 at gmail.com> bmackey88 at gmail.com

“Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make those dreams come true.”

        - Vince Papale

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