Al Elia

Email: aelia@nagdu.org

Al has been a guide dog user for nearly thirty years.

He is a fierce advocate for the right of service-animal users to be accompanied by their service animals wherever their travels may take them.

Since his election to the NAGDU board in 2021, he has represented NAGDU as part of NFB’s advocacy with rideshare companies, federal agencies,, and Congressional offices regarding issues related to guide dog users’ rights to live and travel in the world.

Al is and has been an attorney, advocate, consultant, educator, and technologist throughout his career.

In addition to his NAGDU work, he has advocated on behalf of the NFB and its members to make sure they have access to technology and other aspects of life in the world and online.

He has consulted for the media, businesses, and governments on current and proposed disability-access obligations and best-practices. He has also presented online and given guest lectures on technology access and the law.

Currently, al also serves on the board of his local Vanguard NFB chapter in New York City, and on the board of the Disability Rights Bar Association.

Since joining the NFB in 2007, he has served on the boards of NFB affiliates in Massachusetts, Washington, and the District of Columbia, as well as on the board of the National Association of Blind Lawyers.