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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dear all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Since I disabled mail delivery while I was at convention, I have not read all the messages concerning the resolution for which I was a proponent. I have, however, received a number of telephone calls both in favor and opposition of the resolution. I would like to offer my perspective on this issue.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> As most of you know, I am in favor of training programs transferring unconditional ownership to the consumer upon completion of training. As the NAGDU president, I have fielded a number of calls from guide dog users who have either been threatened with or have had their dogs removed without cause and without due process. The unfortunate response I have for them is that there is nothing that can be done to protect their rights if they do not own their dogs. I realize that most of you will say your training program would never do such a thing without just cause; however, the fact is that it happens and you will likely never hear about it. It is not up to me to tell you about these cases, as it is protected by my ethical code of confidentiality. It is also sadly true that the people to whom this happens will likely never tell the list either, because they fear retaliation in the form of a negative report that could impact their application to another program. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The one thing I regret during the consideration of this resolution is that I failed to ask for the whole resolution to be read. For those who did not attend the convention, with twenty-nine resolutions being considered, the chair chose to only read the resolved section of the resolution to save time unless someone asked for a reading of the whole resolution. I don’t know if the results would have been any different but there may have at least been a little more awareness of the purpose of the resolution. After all, this was my primary purpose in introducing this measure.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Though I am disappointed the convention chose to not pass this resolution, the other purpose for introducing it was to hear from the membership in a democratic forum. As president of this Association, I serve at the pleasure of the membership and am charged with representing their interests. This is true of each member of the Board of Directors, as well. My personal belief is that ownership affords certain protections and will always express this opinion; however, my personal agenda is not that of the membership. My duty is to express the will of the membership and to be their voice. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>As for this resolution being introduced again, it may very well be. At this time, though, I have no plan to do so. We have a great deal of work to do and I am dedicated to the work, not my agenda. There is much more that unites us than divides us. We may not agree on the issue of ownership but we agree we must have the right to full and equal access to those places the public is invited and we are creating collaborative relationships with the restaurant, lodging, health care, taxicab, and zoo industries to remove the barriers we face. I trust you will stand with us as we open the doors to full participation in society on terms of equality. In the words of Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, “come! Join me on the barricades and we will make it all come true!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>Fraternally yours,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><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 style='text-indent:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>