[nagdu] Letter to out-of -state guide dog programsfrom Californiastate guide dog board

Sat Mar 28 20:22:33 UTC 2015

Mike,
This has been on my mind as well, so I'm jumping in with my two cents. The
spirit of the ADA with regard to service dogs is to promote equal access. I
think a good lawyer could argue that in placing restrictions on a blind
Californian's ability to choose training from schools elsewhere in the
nation, California is in violation of the regulations stating that IDs
cannot be required of service dog handlers. After all, they have to know
where the dog was trained to prohibit a specific instructor from doing after
care. I also think that there may be a non-ADA violation of interstate
commerce, which the schools could contest, but I am not sure they are
inclined to pursue this through the courts.
Donna & Hunter

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Hingson
via nagdu
Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2015 12:15 AM
To: 'William Vandervest'; 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of
Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Letter to out-of -state guide dog programsfrom
Californiastate guide dog board

I am not sure how the ADA comes into play.  Would you please explain your
thinking?

Mike Hingson

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of William
Vandervest via nagdu
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2015 8:20 PM
To: Tina Thomas; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Letter to out-of -state guide dog programs from
Californiastate guide dog board

i wonder if this is even legal under the ada?

There are none so blind as those who will not see

William and Leader Dog Lynard

timelord09 at att.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tina Thomas via nagdu" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: <cagdu at nfbcal.org>
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2015 3:05 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Letter to out-of -state guide dog programs from
Californiastate guide dog board

>
>
> Hello Everyone- Below is a letter that was sent to all out of state
> guide dog programs from the California state guide dog board regarding
> follow- up services. I hope all you read this and keep in mind that
> this policy and attitude of the board is a contradiction of everything
> our organization represents. To quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "
> injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere"
>
> Thank You.
>
> Tina
>
> ion <http://www.guidedogboard.ca.gov/consumers/2015_outofstate.pdf>
>
>
>
> [Name]
> Chief Executive Officer
> [School Name]
> [School Address]
>
> Dear [Name]:
>
> The California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind (Board) exists
> to ensure the protection of people who are blind or visually impaired
> while receiving instruction in the use of guide dogs. The Board
> regulates both the schools located in California as well as the
> instructors who train and pair guide dog teams. While your school is
> not physically located in California, the Board understands that many
> out of state schools place guide dogs with clients who reside in
> California at the time of placement, or who may relocate to California
> after placement.
>
> The Board understands and appreciates a school's need to maintain an
> ongoing relationship with graduates of their program. Recently, the
> Board has received several questions regarding follow-up training from
> guide dog users who received their dogs from schools outside of
> California. In order to provide follow-up training in California,
> Guide Dog Instructors, regardless of school affiliation, must be
> licensed by the Board.
>
> The purpose of this letter is not only to inform you of the licensing
> requirements and regulations regarding guide dog instruction in
> California, but also to create an open dialog. The Board wishes to
> ensure that there are no barriers to licensure for your instructors.
> Our goal is to create a gateway for your school to safely and legally
> provide follow-up instruction or in-home placements to guide dog users
> residing in California.
>
> Our records indicate that you currently have no instructors licensed
> by the Board. The Board would like to invite you to undergo the
> licensure process in order to provide services to your clients
> residing in California. The Board's licensure process and criteria are
> outlined on our website at:
> http://www.guidedogboard.ca.gov/forms_pubs/five_steps.shtml
>
> Please contact me if you would like more information on the licensure
> process, or if you identify any barriers that may impact your desire
> to participate in the licensure process.
>
> Additionally, the Guide Dog Board is in the process of determining how
> many guide dog users reside in California. In order to identify an
> accurate population, we are surveying each guide dog program in the
> country asking how many active teams from your program are currently
> residing in California. If you could please respond simply by emailing
> or calling me for a quick discussion, I would greatly appreciate it.
>
> I look forward to working with you.
>
> Thank you for your time,
>
> Brian Skewis
> Executive Officer
> California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind
> Email: brian.skewis at dca.ca.gov <mailto:brian.skewis at dca.ca.gov>
>
>
>
>
>
> <http://www.guidedogboard.ca.gov/consumers/2015_outofstate.shtml#headi
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