[Nyagdu] Service Dogs at SchoolRe: [nagdu] NAGDU website not working ?

[Marion Gwizdala]

Please circulate the following message as widely as appropriate.


Dear All,
    One of the initiatives on which NAGDU is working is that of service dogs 
at schools. This has especially become problematic with the dissemination of 
some model policies that were distributed by an organization that is 
recognized as an authority on the topic. The policies contained some 
provisions that are not in compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act, such as the necessity to produce documentation, 
registering in advance with a specific department of the school, and 
checking in each time a visit is made to the institution. Unfortunately, 
because of the nature of the organization that disseminated this 
information, many colleges and universities have adopted these policies and 
their enforcement could create serious issues for service animal users, not 
to mention litigation as the result of their enforcement.
    I am working with an attorney with the Department of Justice to identify 
the source of this inaccurate information and those who have adopted these 
policies in an effort to resolve this serious issue. If you or someone you 
know has encountered issues with access to an educational institution, 
please get in touch with me. My contact information is below my signature.

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU)
National Federation of the Blind
813-626-2789
President at NAGDU.ORG
HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG