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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Please feel free to circulate the following message
as widely as you feel it is appropriate.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I recently received an email inquiry asking me
about the benefits of joining the National Association of Guide Dog Users. I
would like to share my response with you and encourage you to share it with as
many others as you see fit!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Fraternally yours,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Marion Gwizdala, President<BR>National Association
of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU)<BR>National Federation of the
Blind<BR>813-626-2789<BR><A
href="mailto:President@NAGDU.ORG">President@NAGDU.ORG</A><BR><A
href="http://WWW.NAGDU.ORG">HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> Thank you very much for your interest in the National
Association of <BR>Guide Dog Users (NAGDU), a strong and proud division of the
National <BR>Federation of the Blind. As a division of the NFB, we share its
purpose of <BR>removing the social, legal, and economic barriers faced by the
blind as we <BR>work toward the goal of fully integrating the blind into society
on terms of <BR>equality. NAGDU is a membership organization for blind people
who use or are <BR>considering a guide dog for independent travel, guide dog
trainers and puppy <BR>raisers, or those interested in guide dog related issues.
NAGDU promotes <BR>sound public policy as it pertains to guide dog use, provides
guidance to <BR>businesses and law enforcement, conducts informational workshops
to civic <BR>organizations and schools, supports sound practices in the
training and use <BR>of guide dogs, and acts as advocates for guide dog users
facing <BR>discrimination.<BR> One of the major projects of
the National Association of Guide Dog Users <BR>is the NAGDU Information &
Advocacy Hotline. Established with a grant from <BR>the NFB's Imagination Fund,
this hotline not only offers information about <BR>the training and use of guide
dogs and the legal rights of individuals who <BR>use service animals, including
guidance for specific industries, such as <BR>restaurants, taxicabs, and health
care facilities, it offers the option to <BR>speak with an advocate who is
trained to mediate issues that arise as the <BR>result of the choice to use a
guide dog. Future plans for the hotline <BR>include summaries of each of the
state laws concerning service animals, more <BR>industry specific information,
and guidance in a variety of languages, such <BR>as Mandarin and Arabic. The
Hotline is available anytime by calling, <BR>toll-free, 888-NAGDU411
(888-624-3841).<BR> Another service of NAGDU is our email
discussion list where you can <BR>network with about 250 guide dog users and
trainers, along with others <BR>interested in guide dog related issues from
across the United States and <BR>around the world. You can subscribe to the
NAGDU discussion list by going to<BR><BR><A
href="http://ww.nfbnet.org/">http://ww.nfbnet.org</A><BR><BR>clicking on "Join
or drop NFBNET discussion lists", selecting "NAGDU from <BR>the NFB-sponsored
lists,and completing the subscription form.<BR> I know you
asked about the benefits of joining the National Association <BR>of Guide Dog
Users. The fact of the matter is that all of these benefits are <BR>not
contingent upon becoming a member of our organization. They are provided <BR>as
a service to anyone who wishes to take advantage of them whether you are <BR>a
member or not. Becoming a member of NAGDU, though, demonstrates your
<BR>willingness to be a part of an incredible shift in society's view of
<BR>blindness. The National Federation of the Blind and the National Association
<BR>of Guide Dog Users is more than just an organization; it is a Movement. It
<BR>is not a static social club, it is a dynamic network of blind people
<BR>working together to change what it means to be blind. It is the largest
<BR>organization of any disability group in the world. It is the organization
<BR>that has created the level of opportunity the blind currently realize and is
<BR>the world's leading force in the affairs of the blind today, shaping a
<BR>future filled with hope and prosperity for the blind of
tomorrow.<BR> The work we do will benefit you whether you are
a member or not. <BR>Becoming a member makes you a part of the collective energy
and influence we <BR>need to shape the hope of prosperity we know is ours.
Gandhi once said, "You <BR>must be the change you wish to see in the world!" I
hope you will choose to <BR>join us and be a part of this
change.<BR> The National Association of Guide Dog Users has
several state affiliate <BR>divisions and committees on the path to becoming
divisions. Membership in an <BR>affiliate division constitutes membership in the
national organization, as <BR>well as in the affiliate itself. Likewise,
Membership in the National <BR>Association of Guide Dog Users constitutes
membership in the National <BR>Federation of the Blind. If you share with me
where you reside, I can put <BR>you in touch with the leadership of the
affiliate in your state. For more <BR>specific information about the National
Association of Guide Dog Users, you <BR>can visit our website. our website and
contact information is below my <BR>signature.<BR><BR>Fraternally
yours,<BR>Marion Gwizdala, President<BR>National Association of Guide Dog Users
(NAGDU)<BR>National Federation of the Blind<BR>813-626-2789<BR><A
href="mailto:President@NAGDU.ORG">President@NAGDU.ORG</A><BR><FONT size=2
face=Arial><A
href="http://www.nagdu.org">http://www.nagdu.org</A></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>