[Ohio-talk] Fw: Our Recent Telephone Conversation

[Dr. Smith]

Some of you have expressed interest and concerns about this original message so please read the following response very carefully!

JW

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Marion Gwizdala 
To: Dr. Smith 
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 6:58 AM
Subject: Re: Our Recent Telephone Conversation


Dr. Smith,
    There is no implied secrecy in my message; it is intentional. I know that there are those who would attempt to thwart our intentions just because it is an initiative of the NFB, no matter how good it is for the guide dog using community. Remember what they tried with our Newsline funding and the Louie Braille Commemorative coin?FYI and not for general dissemination yet, the company is BioLife Plasma Services. There are several ways they could legally justify rejecting a service animal user should they get wind of our intentions, such as stating the person has a low iron or protein level, thus comprmising our case.  Maybe I am a bit paranoid, but I prefer to think I am realistic, based upon previous experience. I hope you can understand and we can find Federationists to help us out on this.
    Once we have the people, we will have a teleconference meeting to discuss how it will all happen. the Attorneys General of Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, and Florida are all on board with us. The Illinois AG's office has sent a formal request for the policy,as they are headquartered in Deerfield, Ill. If they do not comply voluntarily, they will sub poena it.
    I hope this helps bring a little more clarity to this issue. If you have any further questions, please feel free to 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
800-558-8261
president at nfb-nagdu.org
    
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dr. Smith 
  To: National Federation of the Blind 
  Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 5:56 PM
  Subject: Re: Our Recent Telephone Conversation



  Some of my people have inquired about what particular businesses are involved here especially in the Middletown area.

  Still some others have wondered about the implied secret tone of your message and request.

  What do you think about these initial responses?

  Dr. Smith

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: National Federation of the Blind 
    To: jwsmithnfb at verizon.net 
    Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 11:01 AM
    Subject: Fw: Our Recent Telephone Conversation


    Dear Dr. Smith,
        We recently talked on the Telephone about the issue of a member in Wisconsin being denied the right to be accompanied by her service animal. As I mentioned, this company has several locations in Ohio. According to the information you sent to me, Ohio provides criminal remedies for such denial. The national Association of guide Dog Users, a division of the National Federation of the Blind, is seeking members who use a guide dog or other service animal, are between the ages of 18 and 65, are in good health, and are willing to help us challenge this unlawful policy. these people will be asked to go to one of this company's facilities and attempt to use their services. The most likely scenario is that they will be denied access. Should this happen, these members need to be prepared to file a criminal complaint with local law enforcement and the State Attorney, a civil complaint with the Ohio Attorney General's office, and a Federal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice. The National Federation of the Blind will assist these members in taking these steps. We are seeking members who live in or near Athens, Findlay, Lima, and Middletown. Please let me know at your earliest convenience if we have members in these areas who can help us out.
     
    Fraternally,
    Marion Gwizdala, President
    National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU)
    National Federation of the Blind
    813-626-2789
    800-558-8261
    president at nfb-nagdu.org