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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>NEWS RELEASE<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For Immediate Use <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>FROM: Florida Association of Guide Dog Users <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>DATE: June 30, 2015<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>TO: All media<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RE: New Criminal Law Effective July 1, 2015<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>CONTACT: Sherrill O’Brien, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'> (813) 935-0474<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <a href="mailto:Sherrill.obrien@verizon.net">Sherrill.obrien@verizon.net</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NEW LAW TARGETS SERVICE ANIMAL IMPOSTORS <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=Default> On July 1, a new law providing criminal penalties for those who pass their pets off as service animals took effect. This law, sponsored by Representative Jimmy Smith (R-Inverness) makes it a second degree misdemeanor for any person to <span style='font-size:11.5pt'>knowingly and willfully misrepresent herself or himself as using a service animal and being qualified to use a service animal or as a trainer of a service animal </span>in order to take advantage of the civil rights protections afforded to disabled people with legitimate trained service animals. Those convicted of a violation of this statute would face a fine of $500 and be required to perform 30 hours of community service. The entire text of this law is attached to this message. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“The goal of this law is two-fold,” says Representative Smith. “Its intent is to enhance the quality of life for those disabled individuals with a legitimate need for a service dog and to make the public aware of the serious detrimental effects caused by their fraudulent actions.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill O’Brien, president of the Florida Association of Guide dog Users (FLAGDU), a division of the National Federation of the Blind, supports the new law and believes it will be a deterrent to those who abuse the system.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“I especially like the idea of requiring impersonators to perform community service,” says O’Brien. “It helps to offset the community disservice they have committed!” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal># # #<br clear=all style='page-break-before:always'><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>About the National Association of Guide dog Users<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="OLE_LINK110"></a><a name="OLE_LINK109"> The Florida Association of Guide Dog Users is an affiliate division of the National Association of Guide dog Users, the nation’s leading membership organization for blind people who use guide dogs. NAGDU is a strong and proud division of the National Federation of the Blind. We conduct public awareness campaigns on issues of guide dog use, provide advocacy support for guide dog handlers who face discrimination, support sound policy and effective legislation to protect the rights of guide dog users, offer educational programs to school and civic organizations, and function as an integral part of the National Federation of the Blind.</a> For more information about the National Association of Guide Dog Users and to support our work, you can visit our website at <<a href="http://www.nagdu.org/">HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG</a>> or send an email to <<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>About the NAGDU Guide & Service animal Mobile App<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The National Association of Guide dog Users sponsors the NAGDU Service Animal Information & Advocacy Mobile app! This innovative app provides general information about the state and federal laws that protect the civil rights of disabled individuals who use service dogs. The app contains the full texts of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and each of the state statutes that affirm the rights of those who use service dogs, as well as general guidance concerning access to specific types of establishments, such as hotels, restaurants, taxicabs, health care facilities and more. In addition, this app provides the ability to directly connect with a live advocate who has been specially trained to resolve access issues as they occur and send an email for more specific guidance. This app is provided by the National Association of Guide dog Users at no charge as a public service. To download the app, simply type the term “NAGDU” into the app store’s search field.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Notes style='line-height:normal;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>About the National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=Notes style='line-height:normal;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest organization of the blind in the United States. The NFB knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people because low expectations are the obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds you back. The Federation provides scholarships to blind students; support for those who are blind or losing their eyesight; advocacy for the blind facing discrimination; and educational programs for the general public on topics of blindness. The NFB is not an organization that speaks on behalf of the blind; we are the blind speaking for ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>