[Nyagdu] {Disarmed} FW: [GDF-TALK] For Immediate Release

[cheryl echevarria]

This was posted on GDF Talk list.


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To: gdf-talk at yahoogroups.com
From: albert at myblindspot.org
Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2013 13:34:01 -0500
Subject: [GDF-TALK] For Immediate Release
















 



  


    
      
      
      For Immediate Release



Contact: Eric Bridges



Director of External Affairs and Policy



American Council of the Blind



Phone: (202) 467-5081



E-mail: ebridges at acb.org



ACB Condemns Discrimination by Airlines Against People Who Use Guide Dogs,

Urges Better Training of Personnel Who Interact with Passengers With

Disabilities



Arlington, VA, December 30, 2013 - Albert Rizzi, a guide dog user, was

ejected from a U.S. Airways flight on November 13, 2013 because he was not

able to put his guide dog far enough under the seat of the person sitting

next to him, which did not please the flight attendant. Mr. Rizzi had been

assigned a seat at the rear of the small plane, in the center of the bench

seat, with no passenger seat in front of him since that was the aisle

itself.



The American Council of the Blind (ACB) issued the following statement:



The Air Carrier Access Act grants people who use guide dogs, and other

trained service dogs, the right to full access to air travel, accompanied in

the cabin by their dog.  It is the responsibility of each airline that does

business in the United States to insure that personnel both understand and

respect the rights of passengers who use guide dogs. ACB calls on U.S.

Airways, and all other airlines to guarantee that appropriate policies

regarding the access rights of people with disabilities travelling with

guide dogs are put in place immediately, and that airline personnel who

interact with passengers before, during, and after travel, receive

appropriate training regarding the treatment of guide dogs and their

handlers during all phases of travel.



ACB President, Kim Charlson, notes that "Given the number of years that our

access laws have been in place, there is no excuse for airline personnel to

engage in practices that demean or discriminate against passengers who

travel with guide dogs.  Such conduct is unacceptable, and we call on all

airlines to take the necessary steps to insure that incidents such as Mr.

Rizzi experienced do not happen to others."  



Charlson further stated that "ACB is standing firm and showing its

solidarity with Mr. Rizzi in his efforts to address this particular

situation. We take this issue very seriously, and airlines should do

likewise.  Nothing less is acceptable."



About the American Council of the Blind  



The American Council of the Blind is the nation's leading consumer-based

organization of blind and visually impaired Americans advocating for the

rights of blind Americans. Comprised of more than 70 affiliates across the

United States, the organization is dedicated to making it possible for blind

and visually impaired Americans to participate fully in all aspects of

American society.  For more information, visit www.acb.org; write to

American Council of the Blind, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA

22201; phone (202) 467-5081; or fax (703) 465-5085.



Francine Patterson



American Council of the Blind



2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650



Arlington, VA 22201



(T) 202-467-5081



(F) 703-465-5085



Learn more about us at www.acb.org



Follow us on Twitter at @acbnational



Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanCounciloftheBlindOfficial



Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.

Founder and CEO

My Blind Spot, Inc.

90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.

New York, New York  10004

 <http://www.myblindspot.org/> www.myblindspot.org



PH:  <tel:917-553-0347> 917-553-0347



"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is

doing it."



<http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Blind-Spot/179273234423> Like Us on

Facebook   <http://www.linkedin.com/pub/albert-j-rizzi/13/142/0> LinkedIn

<https://twitter.com/MyBlindSpotOrg> Twitter



Access=Ability infinite possibilities logo.jpg



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