[NAGDU] {Spam?} RE: NAGDU and guide dog problems

[Tracy Carcione]

I agree.  I know the NFB has civil rights lawyers and firms it uses regularly.  Can't we get a copy of Rev. Blake's SEGDI contract to one of our lawyers and tell her what rights she has under that contract?  It seems like the logical starting point.  I don't really care what SEGDI has to say.  The merits of the case are for some neutral party to judge, right?  
I do however care a lot about what kind of appeals process SEGDI says they have, and what they think passes for due process.  I care a lot if they say their graduates have no rights to either of those.  But a lawyer should be able to tell that from looking at the contract. And, really, even a non-lawyer ought to be able to tell the basics, unless SEGDI has written their contract in a deliberately obscure way.
Tracy

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Forzano via NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2021 1:09 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Michael Forzano; blindtlk at nfb.org; Marion Gwizdala; flagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [NAGDU] {Spam?} Re: {Spam?} Re: {Spam?} NAGDU and guide dog problems

I agree with David. The concern here isn't that Raul doesn't care, it is the kind of response by NAGDU and the NFB. If I were in this situation, I would hope for support and for quick, aggressive action to ensure due process and, ideally, to have the dog returned as quickly as possible. Regardless of the other side of the story, the circumstances under which the dog was taken are unacceptable. The NFB is an organization with significant recognition and resources at its disposal. I have no doubt we have access to the legal expertise etc. that could determine what action can be taken. If our hands are truly tied legally, what about a press release strongly condemning the actions of SEGDI? Or even a protest? Why are we trying to work with them when this is not their first offense and they have been unwilling to work with us in the past?

- Mike
Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 13, 2021, at 9:31 AM, David via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Raul, I posted something similar in response to one of your Facebook posts. I am not casting stones at, or on behalf of, anyone. Perhaps NAGDU and NFB need to decide whether they are advocacy groups, or resource groups. There is quite a difference.
> 
> If advocacy is chosen, then please note that advocacy on behalf of members requires that the organization proceed aggressively to protect its members' rights. If different facts develop at a later stage, then the approach can change.
> 
> What SEGDI has done repeatedly is disgusting, egregious, and totally unacceptable. Taking a person's guide dog without notice, without the opportunity to contest accusations, without any sense of due process, is wrong regardless of the accusations, whether substantiated or not, and no amount of bureaucratic 'investigation' is acceptable. SEGDI's actions are the definition of adversarial and only immediate, strong responses from NAGDU and the NFB as advocacy groups are acceptable. Publicity aimed at donors, legal action, public shaming, and organized boycotts are all appropriate tools in a situation like this. As Mike Hingson noted, "Either we fight for the rights of blind people or we stop complaining. It really is that simple."
> 
> *David in Clearwater, FL*
> *david at bakerinet.com*
> *
> *
> *BTW, I had some formatting issues with this post. Please let me know if the text is not readable on your program. Thanks.
> *
> 
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/michaeldforzano%40gmail.com

_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/carcione%40access.net