[Nfbf-l] [NFBF-Leaders] Convention Transportation option for Monday 5/27.

Tue Apr 30 19:57:37 UTC 2019

Nicole,

	I am deeply troubled by the implications of this message. As the
president of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, I generally advise
against giving advance notice of the presence of a guide dog. Title III of
the Americans with Disabilities Act and 413.08 f.s.  requires entities to
modify their policies, practices, and procedures to allow an individual
accompanied by a service animal equal access to the goods and services
offered. The presence of a service dog is irrelevant, as it is considered
discriminatory for an entity to deny access to individuals accompanied by a
service animal or providing individuals accompanied by service animals
unequal or separate benefits. As a leader in this organization, I take issue
with asking individuals accompanied by service animals to give advance
notice, as such a requirement is in violation of the implementing
regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act found at 28 CFR Section
36.302 and 413.08 f.s. For the past several years, the National Association
of Guide Dog Users and the National Federation of the Blind have been
advocating for the rights of blind people to travel unencumbered with their
guide dogs as several airlines have implemented requirements of advance
notification that we are traveling with our guide dogs inviolation of
federal law. Other Title III entities, such as over-the-road buses,
taxicabs, restaurants, and hotels,  have attempted to implement policies
requiring individuals accompanied by service animals to provide advance
notice and the Department of Justice has ruled against them, assessing
significant fines. This message asks individuals accompanied by guide dogs
to give advance notice, contrary to the ADA, state law, and the efforts of
the National Federation of the blind. 

	As a member of the NFB, you have pledged to support the policies and
practices of the Federation. If this requirement was something taken upon by
an individual, it would be good to consult with our guide dog users'
division leaders for guidance before making such a requirement. If this is
something required by the transportation service, it should have been
brought to the attention of our leadership so we could have educated the
company of their obligation to comply with state and federal law. In either
case, I urge you to edit this message and recirculate it with this
requirement removed.

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users
National Federation of the Blind

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBF-Leaders [mailto:nfbf-leaders-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Nicole D Fincham-Shehan via NFBF-Leaders
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2019 12:15 PM
To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
Cc: Nicole D Fincham-Shehan; NFBF
Subject: Re: [NFBF-Leaders] [Nfbf-l] Convention Transportation option for
Monday 5/27.

Hello All

I can also be locally contacted at 561-328-8191. This is my home number.

Thank you 
Nicole

Vice President 
NFB of Palm Beach 
Coordinator of Blind Parents Connect
NFB of Florida 

Nicole D. Fincham-Shehan 
ADA Consultant
Health Educator 
Work Phone: 561-328-8191
Cell Phone: 410-493-4461 
Email Address: ndfinchamshehan at yahoo.com 

On Apr 30, 2019, at 12:06 PM, Denise Valkema via Nfbf-l <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

Palm Tran is providing paratransit services for incoming travelers using
Tri-Rail, Amtrak and Greyhound. Any members needing to use paratransit while
in Palm Beach must request visitor status in order to receive these
services. Palm Tran will not be in operation on Monday, May 27, due to the
Memorial Day holiday. First Transit is providing services for convention
attendees to return them to the train station in West Palm Beach  and local
residences. 

If you wish to take this option for transportation, please provide your
information to Nicole Fincham-Sheehan, including addresses (if local
residents), departure time for train/bus, how many individuals are
travelling together and whether passengers have mobility aids or service
animals. The deadline to submit your information to Nicole is Wednesday, May
15.  Nicole can be reached by phone: at (410) 493-4461 or email:
Ndfinchamshehan at yahoo.com.

We are just wanting to give you travel options  for you to consider in
planning your own travel to and from convention. 

We will have an open convention planning  teleconference on Wednesday, May
8,  2019 @ 8pm by dialing: (712) 775-7031, code: 938047311#. All are
welcome!

Together, 
Denise Valkema, President
National Federation of the Blind of Florida
President at nfbflorida.org
(305)972-8529
WWW.NFBFLORIDA.ORG
Follow us @nfbflorida
Live the life you want.
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