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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>FYI...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>A follow-up message from Marion Gwizdala, NAGDU
President...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> <BR>Vinny<BR>Vincent Chaney Jr<BR>NFB Diabetes Action Network (DAN)
Board of Directors<BR>NFBNJ Diabetes Division President <BR>NJAGDU (NFBNJ
Association of Guide Dog Users) Division President<BR>NFBNJ Technology Division
Vice President <BR>NFBNJ Resolutions Committee Member<BR>NFBNJ.ORG
Webmaster<BR>Mail: <A
href="mailto:vgc732@optonline.net">vgc732@optonline.net</A><BR></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=blind411@verizon.net href="mailto:blind411@verizon.net">Marion
Gwizdala</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=nyagdu@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:nyagdu@nfbnet.org">nyagdu</A> ; <A title=NJAGDU@NFBNET.ORG
href="mailto:NJAGDU@NFBNET.ORG">NJAGDU List</A> ; <A title=nagdu@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:nagdu@nfbnet.org">NAGDU List</A> ; <A title=FLAGDU@NFBNET.ORG
href="mailto:FLAGDU@NFBNET.ORG">FLAGDU List</A> ; <A
title=nagdu-leaders@nfbnet.org href="mailto:nagdu-leaders@nfbnet.org">NAGDU
Leaders List</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, January 21, 2012 11:25 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [Njagdu] Response: Service Dogs in Schools</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Dear All,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> Let me begin by admitting that I
do not read every message that comes across the list; therefore, when Julie
posted her "STOP!" mesage I wrote to her for some clarification. Julie sent me
some of the messages to which she was referring, so I feel compelled to
reply.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> I strive to make NAGDU a very
transparent organization. This is the reason NAGDU board meetings are open and I
do my best to reply to every message that is sent to me personally. The
organization belongs to its members and those members have the right to know
what the board is doing on their behalf and the responsibility to hold its
leadership accountable. If anyone has a question about what I or any other
member of the board is doing, you have the right to have your questions
answered.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> This being said, I will candidly
state that most of those who are aggressive in their criticism of the
organization are not members. Though we offer this forum to anyone who wishes to
participate and realize that the initiative we promote affect all guide dog
users and, in reality, all service dog users, your voices are more effective
when you join them with ours, rather than sitting on the sidelines criticizing
what we do while taking advantage of our work without investing in
it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> Now, to answer the criticisms
that have been voiced on this list, there is no conspiracy and I feel I do not
have a "know-it-all" attitude. In fact, the message that prompted these
criticisms was an effort to solicit input from others about how such policies
might have an effect. The fact of law is that a policy, per se, is not
necessarily discriminatory. It is the resulting behavior enforcing a policy that
is discriminatory. Though NAGDU, as a representative organization may have
standing to file complaints to repeal discriminatory practices, it is far better
to involve a person who is actually affected by the policy. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> As for the concern that was
expressed that the identity of the organization that disseminated the guidance
on which these policies are based and the assertion that this failure was
intentional, it might have been better to ask a question about this rather than
make assumptions. The fact of the matter is that we are attempting to identify
the source of this misinformation in an effort to have it retracted and replaced
with accurate information. We have contacted a few of the educational facilities
that have adopted these policies but are still no closer to identifying the
source.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> If you have any questions about
what NAGDU, its board, in general, or I, in particular, are doing, please do not
hesitate to get in touch with us. Addressing these questions to me specifically
is much more likely to get a response rather than posting them to the list. If
you do post to the list for a public response from me, it would be a good idea
to modify the subject line so it will catch my attention. Another good way to
make your voice heard is to join NAGDU and participate in our board meetings.
Though only members of the board may make and vote on motions during the board
meetings, time is provided for member comments. </FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I
look forward to your continued participation on this list and in our work.
</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>
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