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Fidelco Responds to Bill of Rights
The following is a transcript of prepared comments to the National Association of Guide Dog Users Bill of Rights. The full text of the Guide Dog Users’ Bill of Rights is contained below. These comments were delivered by Julie Unwinn, Chief Operating Officer of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation Inc., to the membership of NAGDU on July 3, 2013. They are a precise transcription and have not been modified or edited.
NAGDU Responds to Petition to Ban Online Sale of Service Animal Gear
A petition is being circulated by Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) and seems to be supported by other service animal training programs to ban the online sale of service animal gear. The following response is the official position of the National Association of Guide dog Users (NAGDU) concerning this effort.
Civil Complaint Filed Against Hotel
In my workshops and discussions concerning the legal rights and responsibilities of guide and service dog users, I always share the fact that the Americans with Disabilities Act not only protects the interests of disabled individuals, but also those of the nondisabled who are a party to discrimination by association. In other words, if a guide dog user is refused service at a restaurant and, as the result of the denial of service, others in the party are affected by the discrimination, even the nondisabled associates are protected by the ADA.
BOARDS OF EDUCATION IMPLEMENT ILLEGAL POLICIES REGARDING THE USE OF SERVICE ANIMALS
MCMINN AND BLOUNT COUNTIES’ BOARDS OF EDUCATION IMPLEMENT ILLEGAL POLICIES REGARDING THE USE OF SERVICE ANIMALS—TENNESSEE SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION NEGLECTS TO PUSH FOR CHANGE
School District to Modify Service Animal Policies and Pay Fines
As a advocate for guide dog users and one who is currently working to change the policies of several school districts and colleges with oppressive policies concerning service animals, I found this settlement very encouraging. I hope you will feel the same!
Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of guide dog Users
National Federation of the Blind
Discrimination Under the Golden Arches: McDonald’s franchise ignores unjust treatment
On Friday, July 11 at about 7:15 p.m., my wife, Merry Schoch, and I entered the McDonald’s Restaurant located at 1002 S. 78th Street in Tampa, Fla. This store is a Casper’s company franchise. Both Merry and I are blind and use guide dogs. Our dogs were both in harness and were obviously guiding us. We stood together in the lobby for a few minutes waiting to place our order. When we approached the counter, a young man came from the back of the restaurant and stated that the manager told him to tell us that dogs were not allowed.
NFB Files lawsuit Against Uber
During the annual meeting of the National Association of Guide dog Users, Tim elder, a disability rights attorney and member of the National Federation of the Blind, shared with us his efforts to require Uber to comply with the code of federal Regulations concerning access to guide dog users on Uber’s platform. The following information is the result of Uber’s failure to comply with that request.
Marion Gwizdala, President