<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Please distribute the following information as widely as appropriate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> A couple weeks ago, an inquiry was made to the discussion list of the National Association of Guide dog Users concerning whether or not an individual with a disability accompanied by a service dog could be required to sit in seats designated as disabled seating. In response to this inquiry, I wrote an opinion and posted it to the NAGDU blog. As advocates for the blind, I believe it is information everyone needs to know. You can read this opinion by going to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.HarnessUp.Wordpress.com">http://www.HarnessUp.Wordpress.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I would also like to remind everyone that the National Association of Guide dog Users sponsors an innovative telephone hotline for guide dog users. The NAGDU Education & Advocacy Hotline currently offers general information about service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as specific guidance concerning restaurants, taxicabs, and health care facilities. Callers needing immediate assistance can connect directly to a live trained advocate. Future plans for the hotline include summaries and texts of each of the state laws concerning service animals, more industry specific information, and guidance in a variety of languages, such as Spanish, Mandarin and Arabic. The Hotline is available anytime by calling, toll-free,888-NAGDU411 (888-624-3841). <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The NAGDU Information & Advocacy Hotline was created by a grant from the National Federation of the Blind’s (NFB) Imagination Fund, as well as with contributions from the California and Florida Associations of Guide Dog Users. It is currently supported by a grant from Twilio Cloud Communications which provided a grant that will keep the service active for the next two years! The National Association of Guide Dog Users is a strong and proud division of the NFB. NAGDU conducts public awareness campaigns on issues of guide dog use, provides advocacy support for guide dog handlers who face discrimination, supports effective legislation to protect the rights of service animal users, offers educational programs to school and civic organizations, and functions as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind. For more information about the National Association of Guide Dog Users or to support its work, you can visit their website at<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nagdu.org/">HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Or send an email message to <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Info@NAGDU.ORG">Info@NAGDU.ORG</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fraternally yours,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Marion Gwizdala, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>(813) 626-2789<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>(888) 624-3841 (Hotline)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="mailto:President@nagdu.org">President@nagdu.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="http://www.nagdu.org">http://www.nagdu.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>High expectations create unlimited potential for the blind!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>