[Riverside-San-Bernardino] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] Southeastern Guide Dogs Modifies Automatic Disqualification Policy

[Amanda Winkler]

Amanda Winkler

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Marion Gwizdala, President via NFBNet-Members-List" <nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>
> Date: July 4, 2020 at 10:26:55 PM PDT
> To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Southeastern Guide Dogs Modifies Automatic Disqualification Policy
> Reply-To: "Marion Gwizdala, President" <president at nagdu.org>
> 
>   
> Please circulate the following message as widely as appropriate.
>  
> Dear Friends & Colleagues,
>  
>                 Sometimes making small changes in the treatment of the blind seems to take years; at other times, the changes we promote are so blatantly discriminatory, the public pressure so strong, and the behavior so egregious, the change literally occurs overnight.
>  
>                 Through the strong advocacy of the National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of Guide dog Users, Southeastern guide Dogs has modified its application form automatically disqualifying individuals with certain mental health conditions from applying for a guide dog. Southeastern guide dogs application page now states, “* If applicant is currently being treated by a mental health professional, we may require additional contact information for that doctor.” [sic] This revised statement seems to indicate Southeastern no longer automatically disqualifies an applicant based upon a previous diagnosis of a Mental Health condition but will now conduct an individualized Assessment as required by law. Questions still remain about how this obviously hastily prepared policy will be implemented. Will Southeastern reach out to those they previously automatically disqualified to admit their mistake and offer them an opportunity to apply? How will southeastern ask about mental health histories? What and how much personal information will Southeastern collect about applicants? How will Southeastern’s previous automatic disqualification policy and the bias it exposes affect the integrity of the application process for those disclosing a mental health condition? 
>  
>                 There are questions to be answered and the organized blind will stay vigilant because the stakes are too high! A majority of guide dog training centers have some very paternalistic policies. Some of these policies actually compromise the mission of the program. Guide dog training programs would be well-served by consulting with the National Association of guide Dog Users. Within our ranks we have the talent and expertise to help implement policies that respect the dignity of the blind individual while protecting the interests of the program.  
>  
>                 During our meeting on June 22, Susan Wilburn, Southeastern’s Director of Graduate Admission and Consumer Services, asked how Southeastern could repair the bridge between us. The bridge connecting any relationship is built upon mutual trust, respect, openness, transparency, and fairness. We have that sort of relationship with (in alphabetical order) Freedom guide dogs, Guide Dog foundation, and the Seeing Eye. Their policies and practices illustrate why. We also appreciate Guide Dogs of America and guide Dogs of Texas for reaching out to us. Extending a welcome hand across the divide is what starts the bridge-building process.  
>  
> In 2011, the National Association of Guide dog Users created the Guide Dog consumers’ Bill of Rights. This document was enthusiastically and unanimously endorsed by our membership at our 2011 annual meeting. This document sets forth how blind people believe we should be treated by guide dog training programs. We asked training programs to join us by endorsing this Bill of Rights and no program has chosen to do so. Some programs stated they agreed philosophically with the Bill of rights but would not endorse it. Fidelco guide Dogs was the most shocking in their rejection when Julie Unwinn claimed guide dog users have no input in their policies because we do not pay for their dogs! 
> I encourage you to read this document and measure how the training program from which you received your guide dog adds up. I have a lot more to say on this topic and Gary Wunder is looking for some Braille Monitor articles from us on this. If you are concerned, get involved! Your voice will be amplified through our united action! Here is the link to the Braille Monitor article, “A Guide Dog Consumers’ bill of Rights: Shifting paradigms in the guide dog movement”: 
>  
> https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm11/bm1106/bm110609.htm 
>  
>  
>  
> If this link gets broken through margin or other limitations, you can search under the title at <nfb.org>. Come join our forward movement!
>  
> National Association of Guide Dog Users’ Annual Seminar – July 14; 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
> National Association of guide Dog Users Annual Meeting – July 16; 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
>  
>  
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)
> National Federation of the Blind
> (202) 573-8582
> President at NAGDU.ORG
> Visit our website
> Follow us on Twitter
>  
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind  people and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds you back.
>  
> 
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