[Nfbf-l] FW: [Bulk] [DB-Fishbowl] SURVEY: International Travel with Guide Dogs -We need your input

[Darlene Laibl-Crowe]

Survey for Guide Dog Users!  
Please share!

Hi all,


See the survey we just got published in the latest WBU E-bulletin.


Please pass this request on to individual guide dog handlers as well as guide dog related agencies.


Cheers


Martine


Martine Abel-Williamson – chair, WBU Access to the Environment and Transport Working group


SURVEY: International Travel with Guide Dogs -We need your input

By Martine Abel-Williamson, WBU Access to the Environment
More countries than ever before are now allowing assistance dogs, including guide dogs, to accompany their handlers, due to improved ways of animal health monitoring and  strengthened veterinary care practices in the area of animal disease control, leading to increased international co-operation. And although this has made travel more accessible for some, there are still many stumbling blocks in the way of smooth or seamless travel, taking into account the preparation before-hand in terms of veterinary care related form-filling, the actual flight travel and last but not least processes around being welcomed on the other side, in the country of your destination.
Barriers identified so far through discussion with guide dog handlers who’ve been traveling with their guide dogs include:
 
*  Financial cost: (linked with prescribed pre-travel veterinary visits and form-filling for instance when export certificates are being applied for;
*  Bureaucratic systems: (in terms of a lack of communication between, and inconsistency of compliance practices by various local, regional and state departments);
*  Discriminatory policies: (for example by some airlines that are still refusing access to guide dogs onto the aircraft).
 
The WBU Access to the Environment Working Group is keen to receive feedback from blind and partially sighted people as well as from consumer organizations and blindness service providers to this regard, so, please distribute this survey to your membership organizations and guide dog handlers.
 
Survey questions:
1.   If you’ve been traveling with your guide dog, what worked well for you?
2.  While travelling with your guide dog, what problems were experienced?
3.  If you’ve not been travelling with your guide dog, what stopped you from doing so?
4.  Does your country have policies and legislation in place to ensure inclusive international travel with your guide dog? 
 
If the answer is yes, please list and attach those.
5.  If required, do you have access to financial support or subsidizing schemes available to assist with the costs associated with traveling with a guide dog? If so, please describe those briefly.
6.   As far as you’re aware of, are there systems and practices in place in your country internally, as well as internationally between departments from countries to ensure that various involved parties (such as airport authorities, airlines, customs departments, etc.) are working collaboratively to this regard? If so, please provide examples of policy or practice documentation and anecdotal evidence.
7.  Do you have additional suggestions re what could be happening at international level to improve access to travel when accompanied by a guide dog?
Please send filled in surveys to the following email address:  <mailto:martine.abel at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz> martine.abel at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz; Filled in surveys plus accompanying documentation should be received by March 15.
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