[nagdu] Servioce Animals & Taxicabs: Allergies & Religion

[Marion Gwizdala]

    In light of Dan's message, I thought I would send this legal opinion 
from the City Solicitor for the City of Cincinatti. It contains a sworn 
affidavit from a medical expert that supports Dan's contention about the 
incidence of allergies to dog dander. Also, the DOJ has clearly asserted 
that allergies and fear of animals are generally not valid reasons to 
exclude a service animal. Taxicab drivers can either abide by the law or 
have their licenses revoked. It is their choice!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Weiner" <dcwein at dcwein.cnc.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 6:06 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Cab drivers in DC pass blind people with guide dogs


> Well, my friend:
> I am going to sound combative, but I am expressing an honestly held 
> opinion,
> an opinion which is not meant in any way to belittle you as I'm sure 
> you're
> a nice person and so on.
> Give me a break, is my opinion.
> I think that a lot of us are really too much in to bending over backwards 
> to
> accommodate, in quotes.
> Malarkey.
> It is necessary for companies, entities to accommodate the presence of a
> service animal because of the special status service dogs, etc. have been
> given in society.  This is the result of long struggle and advocacy.
> We are not the ones to do the accommodating, jeeze.
>
> I will quote both my sister, who has bad dog and cat allergies, and a 
> doctor
> I spoke to.
> The instance of dog allergies is quite a bit less than sever cat 
> allergies.
> The instances of severe medical consequences from dog dander is actually
> rare.
> Discomfort someone might have is, and frankly should be, none of my 
> concern.
> And now the doctor: he told me that if a dog dander allergy were severe,
> then the person would react to even dander brought in on someone's cloths,
> packages, shoes, etc.  So, where do we draw the line.
>
> I base a lot of my opinions on the experience with my sister, c, who can't
> have dogs and cats in her house and so on.. She has been a royal burr in 
> my
> rear since I got a dog, but we've had discussions and she's in total
> agreement about the guide dog  access issue.
>
> What is this, because I have a guide dog I have to spend my whole life
> bending over backwards to be considerate.
> I don't think so. Now, you are saying,  don't you want to be considerate?
> Yes, but only in the same way I'm considerate to everyone everywhere I go,
> not a special consideration for dumb ass cab drivers who have a thing or 
> an
> imagined thing about dogs.  Boy, that felt good, let it all out Dan--lol.
>
> My consideration is shown in my brushing my dog, in my keeping him
> well-behaved, etc.
>
> If these guys would just suck it up and do their job then life would be 
> much
> simpler.
>
> A severe allergy, as I think I stated so wordily in another
> message--smile--if it is a disability would require a record of such and
> drivers I've talked to don't want that because then it could be a reason 
> for
> them not to have the job in the first place.
>
> I'm not sure either, Jewel, that that's such an original accommodation, in
> quotes.
> Plenty of drivers in Maryland told me I'd have to have another cab or they
> called dispatch.  The point is it doesn't wash.
> As long as a significant amount of the guide dog using population feels 
> that
> we're walking on eggs and the mere fact of being allowed treatment with
> dignity is such a hardship for the public, the longer this will go on.
>
> Now, I need my coffee.
>
> Remember, the only thing I know about you or anyone else here is what you
> say on the list, so please don't take it personally.
>
> Cordially,
>
> Dan W. and the big black bear, I mean dog, Carter
>
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