From kenvolonte at comcast.net Mon Jan 4 11:24:52 2010 From: kenvolonte at comcast.net (Ken Volonte) Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 11:24:52 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] Fw: rejection Message-ID: To Whom It May Concern, > > On New year's eve, I wanted to try a new restaurant, with my daughter and > her dad! > > This would be normal if I were a sighted woman who drove a car. > > However, my way of physically being in the world, is without sight. the > ability to use a guide dog gives me physical independence to walk with > confidence, on the streets and enter public restaurants. > > Walking with a guide dog and acceptance, at a restaurant is almost > common-place for me. I take this acceptance for granted, in the same way > as a sighted woman driving a car, also takes for granted the freedom to go > to any public restaurant as a typical way of celebrating New Year's eve. > > However, this right to access was denied me, by the male owner and his > female servers at The Ocean Park pizza and Steak House restaurant in > Brookswood. > > As soon as I walked through the narrow door, of the restaurant, in front > my daughter and her dad, the manager said to me, "get that dog out of here > Dogs aren't allowed in this restaurant!" > > I told him, this is a guide dog who is allowed to be here!" > > > > He repeatedly said he'd give us free food but we would have to leave the > premises. He told me he didn't want a dog, not any dog, in the restaurant > even if it was a guide dog. > > I told him he is breaking the law and I'd be calling the police. > > He guffawed when he heard this and told me to leave the restaurant, now! > > His wife also repeatedly asked me to leave the restaurant--echoing his > contempt, saying, get outta here! > > I kept standing, motionless, shocked, in the restaurant, my daughter not > wanting to leave me; with my guide dog at my side, repeatedly saying, > > to them "this is a guide dog and she is allowed to go in to any > restaurant". > > He kept asking me to leave and not make a scene. > > I continued to stand my ground, repeating this is a guide dog! > > He told me I was ruining his New Year's Eve for himself and his customers. > He said people made reservations, to a nice restaurant, and they didn't > want to have a dog and we had to leave! > > I continued repeating this is a guide dog and I'm not leaving his > restaurant! > > The owner said, in front of me, to my daughter's dad, "If she was a man, > I'd beat him up! But, since she's a woman, I wouldn't beat her up. He > didn't do that to women!" it was said to get me out of the restaurant! > > I was in such shock I asked the silent woman server to write the name of > the restaurant down for me. When she handed me the piece of paper, I > thought she had done what I asked! > > Later, I found out, when a sighted person read the paper to me she quietly > wrote a different name to another restaurant in Surrey B.C. which was. > Gellini's > > Time went by, and I kept standing with my guide dog! > > Another sighted female server also asked me to leave. She placated me by > saying, she understood my predicament because she has a sister with a > hearing dog! My life experience tells me that Her need for her evening > tips spoke louder to me then her placating words. By standing behind her > male employer she is publically degrading her sister and her need for a > hearing dog and degrading my human right to accessing a public restaurant > with a guide dog. People who see my guide dog or a person using a service > dog in action can be helpful by understanding Her demeaning of me or any > service dog user, also extends to downgrading the abilities of women puppy > raisers, trainers and instructors of guide or assistance dogs, who spent > countless hours of love, time and patience to train these dogs to do their > respected jobs. > > > My daughter's sighted dad kept wheedling at me to leave because he didn't > want to make a scene! > > I repeated, to him it wasn't his or my daughter's problem! But just take > her and go to McDonald's, while I stay here." > > In my shock, my plan was to stay, at the restaurant > > > He took our daughter, out of the restaurant and in to the car. > > Then, I continued standing. In my shock and confusion, I slowly left the > restaurant. When I heard a person, approaching the restaurant I told him > that I wasn't served because I have a guide dog. I was met with an > indifferent response from the man on the street! > > Later, my daughter's dad told me the place was almost empty. No one was > sitting at the tables in the restaurant. > > I felt that walking away from the restaurant and ignoring what happened > would make it okay to have discrimination be a part of my life. I also > felt it could happen to another innocent guide or service dog user who > simply wants to better their life. I also stood my ground because I didn't > want to be like the woman server who talked for her tips yet tip toes in > her high heel shoes around human rights! > > I chose to stand up for myself, at the restaurant, because I no longer > condone the Canadian middle-class virtue of politeness that has too often > been a part of my life with tragic consequences. For me, expunging this > terrible Canadian value leads to a more positive life and better > opportunities to make a better way of living in the community. > > > > > Ocean Park Pizza & Steak House (Brookswood Location) > > Ocean Park Pizza & Steak House (Brookswood Location) > > Contact: > > 604-533-4808 > > Address: > > 20097 - 40th Avenue > > Langley, B.C. > > V3A 2W3, Canada > > info at oceanparkpizzalangley.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> >> >> >> > From tinadt at sbcglobal.net Sat Jan 9 08:39:04 2010 From: tinadt at sbcglobal.net (tina thomas ) Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 08:39:04 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] CAGDU Board of Directors Conference call meeting Message-ID: <517818.93840.qm@smtp102.sbc.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Happy New Year Cagduer's! The California Association of Guide Dog Users board of directors will be holding our first meeting of the new year and we would like to invite all guide dog users and persons who are interested in guide dogs to join us. Our meeting will take place via conference call on Sunday January 10 at 6:30PM PST. The call in information follows. The call in number has changed so PLEASE make a not of the change. The call in number is now: (712)432.0175. The pin number has NOT changed. It is 184220. Looking forward to hearing from everyone. Tina Thomas Vice President (CAGDU "Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own instead of someone else's." - Billy Wilder From shannonldillon at hotmail.com Sun Jan 10 15:55:37 2010 From: shannonldillon at hotmail.com (Shannon L. Dillon) Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:55:37 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] CAGDU Board of Directors Conference call meeting In-Reply-To: <517818.93840.qm@smtp102.sbc.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <517818.93840.qm@smtp102.sbc.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Thanks, Tina. Does anyone have something they wanton the agenda? SHANNON L. DILLON > From: tinadt at sbcglobal.net > To: cagdu at nfbcal.org > Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 08:39:04 -0800 > CC: nagdu at nfbnet.org > Subject: [Cagdu] CAGDU Board of Directors Conference call meeting > > Happy New Year Cagduer's! The California Association of Guide Dog Users > board of directors will be holding our first meeting of the new year and we > would like to invite all guide dog users and persons who are interested in > guide dogs to join us. > Our meeting will take place via conference call on Sunday January 10 at > 6:30PM PST. The call in information follows. > The call in number has changed so PLEASE make a not of the change. > The call in number is now: (712)432.0175. The pin number has NOT changed. It > is 184220. > Looking forward to hearing from everyone. > Tina Thomas > Vice President (CAGDU > > > "Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own instead of > someone else's." > - Billy Wilder > > > > _______________________________________________ > Cagdu mailing list > Cagdu at nfbcal.org > https://www.nfbcal.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/cagdu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20100110/330f62b0/attachment.html From shannonldillon at hotmail.com Sun Jan 10 18:33:31 2010 From: shannonldillon at hotmail.com (Shannon L. Dillon) Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:33:31 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] CAGDU Board of Directors Conference call meeting In-Reply-To: <517818.93840.qm@smtp102.sbc.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <517818.93840.qm@smtp102.sbc.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: The access code that works for me is 341070 pound. SHANNON L. DILLON > From: tinadt at sbcglobal.net > To: cagdu at nfbcal.org > Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 08:39:04 -0800 > CC: nagdu at nfbnet.org > Subject: [Cagdu] CAGDU Board of Directors Conference call meeting > > Happy New Year Cagduer's! The California Association of Guide Dog Users > board of directors will be holding our first meeting of the new year and we > would like to invite all guide dog users and persons who are interested in > guide dogs to join us. > Our meeting will take place via conference call on Sunday January 10 at > 6:30PM PST. The call in information follows. > The call in number has changed so PLEASE make a not of the change. > The call in number is now: (712)432.0175. The pin number has NOT changed. It > is 184220. > Looking forward to hearing from everyone. > Tina Thomas > Vice President (CAGDU > > > "Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own instead of > someone else's." > - Billy Wilder > > > > _______________________________________________ > Cagdu mailing list > Cagdu at nfbcal.org > https://www.nfbcal.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/cagdu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20100110/4438a406/attachment.html From shannonldillon at hotmail.com Sun Jan 10 18:36:35 2010 From: shannonldillon at hotmail.com (Shannon L. Dillon) Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:36:35 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] CAGDU Board of Directors Conference call meeting In-Reply-To: References: <517818.93840.qm@smtp102.sbc.mail.mud.yahoo.com>, Message-ID: Can everyone please cal 712-432-0075 and use passcode 341070 pound. SHANNON L. DILLON From: shannonldillon at hotmail.com To: cagdu at nfbcal.org Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:33:31 -0800 Subject: Re: [Cagdu] CAGDU Board of Directors Conference call meeting The access code that works for me is 341070 pound. SHANNON L. DILLON > From: tinadt at sbcglobal.net > To: cagdu at nfbcal.org > Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 08:39:04 -0800 > CC: nagdu at nfbnet.org > Subject: [Cagdu] CAGDU Board of Directors Conference call meeting > > Happy New Year Cagduer's! The California Association of Guide Dog Users > board of directors will be holding our first meeting of the new year and we > would like to invite all guide dog users and persons who are interested in > guide dogs to join us. > Our meeting will take place via conference call on Sunday January 10 at > 6:30PM PST. The call in information follows. > The call in number has changed so PLEASE make a not of the change. > The call in number is now: (712)432.0175. The pin number has NOT changed. It > is 184220. > Looking forward to hearing from everyone. > Tina Thomas > Vice President (CAGDU > > > "Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own instead of > someone else's." > - Billy Wilder > > > > _______________________________________________ > Cagdu mailing list > Cagdu at nfbcal.org > https://www.nfbcal.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/cagdu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20100110/f7ffad53/attachment.html From tinadt at sbcglobal.net Mon Jan 11 15:46:01 2010 From: tinadt at sbcglobal.net (tina thomas ) Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:46:01 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: [nagdu] Dog helps stabilize autistic boy's life, but Hillsboro school says not in the classroom Message-ID: <179456.61789.qm@smtp103.sbc.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Subject: [nagdu] Dog helps stabilize autistic boy's life,but Hillsboro school says not in the classroom Dog helps stabilize autistic boy's life, but Hillsboro school says not in the classroom By Wendy Owen, The Oregonian January 10, 2010, 11:00PM Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty/index.ssf/2010/01/dog_ helps_stabilize_an_autisic.html View full sizeOlivia Bucks / The OregonianMadison, a 2-year-old German shepherd, is trained to assist his 9-year-old buddy, Scooter Givens. But the $13,000 dog spends most of his time at home after the Hillsboro School District said he was not necessary for Scooter's educational progress at school. HILLSBORO -- Every day, Scooter Givens tries to hit his third-grade classmates and instructors at Patterson Elementary where he attends class for children with severe autism. Sounds that surprise him, especially crying children, can send the 9-year-old Hillsboro boy into yelling, flailing "meltdowns," which have lasted more than an hour. Eric and Wendy Givens know Madison, a trained autism service dog, can calm their son; they've seen the German shepherd do so at malls, in parking lots, at restaurants. But the Hillsboro School District won't allow the dog in school, saying Scooter is doing well without the shepherd. The U.S. Department of Justice is currently investigating a complaint filed by Disability Rights Oregon on behalf of the Givenses. The outcome could affect other families in Oregon that hope to use autism service dogs in schools. The argument pits special education law against the Americans With Disabilities Act. Although the district argues that the dog is not necessary for Scooter's classroom education, the family says the dog improves the boy's access to his education by keeping him calm. "It makes Scooter easier to teach," said Wendy Givens. Madison "would help mitigate Scooter's disability in class." Disability Rights Oregon attorney Joel Greenberg equated the situation to a person who is blind being told he does fine with a cane even though a trained guide dog is more effective. "Essentially, the school district is saying, 'we get to pick the tool,'" he said. Hillsboro Superintendent Mike Scott said it's an issue of process. "We agree that across-the-board exclusion of a service animal would not be appropriate." But, he said, "If we have a student that is doing well in school, is there a need for a service animal?" The district had raised concerns over allergies and other students' fears of dogs, but Scott said those are "not the issue." The debate also hinges on whether Madison is considered a service or a therapy animal. In other words, is he the equivalent of a guide dog for the blind or is he a well-trained pet? Therapy animals are not covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act, but they are growing in popularity and are often used in hospitals to comfort patients and in schools where children read to them. The training is not as extensive as it is for a service animal. The Americans With Disabilities Act describes a service animal as "any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items." In the case of Scooter, the dog is usually tethered to the boy. Scooter, whose given name is Jordan, wears a belt that is attached to a harness on Madison. When Scooter tries to bolt, the dog sits or digs his claws into the ground and pulls back, stopping Scooter. The dog is trained to assist Scooter, who has autism. If something startles Scooter and he works himself into a violent on-the-floor "meltdown," the dog puts his paw on the boy. If that doesn't work, Madison stands over him and then lies down on Scooter. The flailing and yelling stop almost immediately, and Scooter can get back on task, said Wendy Givens. Should Scooter run off and can't be found, Madison is trained to track him with the command, "Where's your boy?" Madison's primary mission is to keep Scooter safe and calm. He has 500 hours of training from simple obedience to advanced skills, said Karen Shirk, founder, 4 Paws for Ability Inc. a nonprofit in Ohio that trains dogs for people with various disabilities, including autism. The Givenses paid $13,000 for the dog, largely from fundraising, and Wendy Givens flew back to Ohio in March 2008 for two weeks of training with Madison before bringing him home. For years, Oregon school districts, including Hillsboro, have allowed service dogs in training to traverse school halls. But fully trained dogs assisting children with autism in public schools are rare. "It's new territory that school districts are not familiar with. They fall back on basic policies," said Genevieve Athens, executive director of the Autism Society of Oregon. "I think eventually as this gets more prevalent in society, ... there might be more acceptance in the classroom" for autism dogs. In the Portland area, Beaverton is the only district known to have allowed the use of a dog for a child with autism. The dog was allowed on a trial basis last spring, but hasn't been coming this school year, said Patty Lawrence, special education facilitator for the Beaverton School District. Lawrence said she couldn't provide specifics because of student confidentiality but said the school had not refused the dog. "As a team at the school, we decided to try other things as well," she said. Other options that can help calm a child include wearing a weighted vest or applying deep pressure, which can be as simple as a hug. "Sometimes they just need that squeeze that calms them down," she said. But every child with autism is different and what may work for one child doesn't work for another, Lawrence said. Unlike most school districts in the state, Beaverton has a very detailed policy that requires assistance animals be accredited guide dogs or certified therapy dogs from known training organizations. As for Scooter, Madison has become a social bridge for the boy, who can talk but doesn't like to interact with others, said Wendy Givens. The brown-and-black German Shepherd loves to be petted and is a magnet for people, which helps Scooter socialize and gives people a better understanding of autism and Scooter. He is no longer "the weird kid biting his hand," Wendy Givens said. Ginger Bennett Kutsch Morristown, NJ _______________________________________________ nagdu mailing list nagdu at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu: http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/tinadt%40sbcglobal.ne t No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.725 / Virus Database: 270.14.133/2612 - Release Date: 01/11/10 05:29:00 From rstigile at sbcglobal.net Mon Jan 25 14:48:58 2010 From: rstigile at sbcglobal.net (Robert Stigile) Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:48:58 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] Board Member Candela in the Blind Californian - 2010 online winter edition Message-ID: <713829.52640.qm@smtp102.sbc.mail.mud.yahoo.com> ---- Original Message ------ From: Antonette_Sorrick at dca.ca.gov Subject: Board Member Candela in the Blind Californian - 2010 online winter edition Date sent: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:38:10 -0800 html http://www.ccbnet.org/bc/bc1001.htm#16 audio http://www.ccbnet.org/bc/bc1001.htm WHAT YOUR GUIDE DOG BOARD DOES FOR YOU by Tony Candela, Board Member The Guide Dog Act was signed into law by Governor Earl Warren in 1947. The Guide Dog Board was established for three reasons; one, to prohibit fly-by-night schools; two, to set training standards for guide dog instruction; three, to ensure financial integrity and accountability in donor funds. Since the Board's inception, there have been landmark wins for consumers. In 1980, Business and Professions Code Section 7215.5 guaranteed dog ownership (title) would be transferred to the guide dog user from the school. In 1989, home training was added as an additional option for successor training and undue hardship cases (sponsored by CCB). In 1992, an arbitration panel was created to settle custody disputes between guide dog users and schools. Additionally, successful partnerships between the Board and stakeholders has brought about changes in policy and increased communication to lawmakers, the business community and general members of the public. For example, decals created in 1986 educated members of the public and the business community about access rights for guide dog users, and legislation was introduced to increase penalties for obstructing pedestrian right-of-way and for vicious dog attacks on guide dogs. Today's Board Today, the Board is at a defining moment in the organization's history. Consumers are savvy; donors can hold guide dog schools accountable for spending (for example, through online charity watchdog groups), and guide dog schools are held to new and improved standards by reputable international industry organizations. Where does that leave the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind? Today's Board has a two-pronged agenda. One, to protect consumers by ensuring that service providers are both competent and ethical; two, to leverage partnerships to accomplish outreach and education goals, which include addressing access, dog attacks, assistance animals and pedestrian safety. This Board is interested in safe and open choice for the consumer, which is why we are taking a look at our statutes and regulations to clarify and amend them to ensure they protect consumers without significantly restricting the marketplace where the consumer has as many options as possible. In 2010, the Board will be seeking legislation to make home training available for anyone, regardless of prior experience. Not only will this give consumers more choice, it will give the schools flexibility in their training. Additionally, we want out-of-state schools to know that they are welcome here in California. The instructors would be able to sit for the exam and have the ease of mind that goes with the portability of the state license. In fact, in the last few months, two out-of-state schools have hired California licensed instructors and have encouraged them to maintain an active license. One of the main issues from out-of-state schools is follow-up services. When an instructor works a route as part of follow-up services with a student, this is considered "instruction," which requires a license. Several guide dog users voiced concern over this law. Therefore, the Board will be open to consider all options, which may include clarifying the statute to allow for a certain time period during which an instructor could provide follow-up services without a license. Such changes would require legislative authority and may take time. In the meantime, we encourage input from all of you throughout the process. The Board is also reviewing the time requirement for training. Currently, the law states that a first time user must have a minimum of 80 hours of training in four weeks. For successor dogs, the requirement is 40 hours over a period of two weeks. The Practice Task Force (made up of three senior guide dog instructors) recommended that the Board set the minimum at 30 hours of in-harness instruction and 15 hours of theoretical instruction for first time users. For successor dogs, the requirement would be 20 hours of in-harness instruction and 10 hours of theoretical instruction. This regulatory proposal will be submitted in the next two months to the Office of Administrative Law for consideration. What lies in the future for the Board? The Board is currently scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2011. What happens if this occurs? If the Board sunsets, the structure of the board members would go away, to be replaced by a Bureau within a Department (either the Department of Consumer Affairs or the Department of Rehabilitation). The Guide Dog Act itself would remain, along with all of its regulations. Fees would continue to be collected from guide dog schools and guide dog instructors. A Bureau Chief would be appointed by the Director of the Department. What other organizations fulfill the functions of the Board? While the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) promotes standards of practice for guide dog schools, competencies for guide dog instructors have not been established. Additionally, if standards are not met under the standards set for by IGDF for the guide dog instructor, guide dogs or the guide dog school, the only remedy is to be removed as a member of the organization. There would be no format for a consumer to complain about a licensee (a school or an instructor) and no disciplinary authority to prevent the instructor from practicing or the school from operating. In other states, a school can operate without an instructor. In California, if a school did not have an instructor, its license would be suspended, which would mean that no funds could be raised. This is one of the checks and balances built into the law. What has the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind done for you lately? The answer is not a simple one. The legal mandate is clearly consumer protection through the competency of guide dogs, guide dog instructors and schools. This is accomplished through annual school inspections, bi-annual examinations and continuing education requirements. What else can the Board do? Can the Board be an advocate for the consumer? Can consumers still contact the Board if they have a concern about access or a vicious dog attack? The answer is yes. While the Board does not have the jurisdiction to cite or fine businesses or members of the public from impeding on the mobility of our consumers, we have historically assisted in educating businesses about state and federal accessibility laws. We hope to continue this important dialogue with our stakeholders and encourage you to be a part of our decision-making process. For more information on the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind, visit us on the web at www.guidedogboard.ca.gov. Return to the Table of Contents Antonette Sorrick Executive Officer State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S-202 Sacramento, CA 95834 (916) 574-7825 phone (916) 574-7829 fax Antonette_Sorrick at dca.ca.gov www.guidedogboard.ca.gov From tinadt at sbcglobal.net Mon Jan 25 15:33:00 2010 From: tinadt at sbcglobal.net (tina thomas ) Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:33:00 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: [K9Scoop] WHAT YOUR GUIDE DOG BOARD DOES FOR YOU Message-ID: <552138.67839.qm@smtp127.sbc.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Dear CAGDUER'S- Below is a letter from the guide dog state board. I strongly suggest everyone read this letter. I think this letter will answer some questions and concerns of what the board is planning for the next year. Tina Subject: [K9Scoop] WHAT YOUR GUIDE DOG BOARD DOES FOR YOU from: http://www.ccbnet. org/bc/bc1001.htm#16 WHAT YOUR GUIDE DOG BOARD DOES FOR YOU by Tony Candela, Board Member Since the Board's inception, there have been landmark wins for consumers. In 1980, Business and Professions Code Section 7215.5 guaranteed dog ownership (title) would be transferred to the guide dog user from the school. In 1989, home training was added as an additional option for successor training and undue hardship cases (sponsored by CCB). In 1992, an arbitration panel was created to settle custody disputes between guide dog users and schools. Additionally, successful partnerships between the Board and stakeholders has brought about changes in policy and increased communication to lawmakers, the business community and general members of the public. For example, decals created in 1986 educated members of the public and the business community about access rights for guide dog users, and legislation was introduced to increase penalties for obstructing pedestrian right-of-way and for vicious dog attacks on guide dogs. Today's Board Today, the Board is at a defining moment in the organization's history. Consumers are savvy; donors can hold guide dog schools accountable for spending (for example, through online charity watchdog groups), and guide dog schools are held to new and improved standards by reputable international industry organizations. Where does that leave the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind? Today's Board has a two-pronged agenda. One, to protect consumers by ensuring that service providers are both competent and ethical; two, to leverage partnerships to accomplish outreach and education goals, which include addressing access, dog attacks, assistance animals and pedestrian safety. This Board is interested in safe and open choice for the consumer, which is why we are taking a look at our statutes and regulations to clarify and amend them to ensure they protect consumers without significantly restricting the marketplace where the consumer has as many options as possible. In 2010, the Board will be seeking legislation to make home training available for anyone, regardless of prior experience. Not only will this give consumers more choice, it will give the schools flexibility in their training. Additionally, we want out-of-state schools to know that they are welcome here in California. The instructors would be able to sit for the exam and have the ease of mind that goes with the portability of the state license. In fact, in the last few months, two out-of-state schools have hired California licensed instructors and have encouraged them to maintain an active license. One of the main issues from out-of-state schools is follow-up services. When an instructor works a route as part of follow-up services with a student, this is considered "instruction," which requires a license. Several guide dog users voiced concern over this law. Therefore, the Board will be open to consider all options, which may include clarifying the statute to allow for a certain time period during which an instructor could provide follow-up services without a license. Such changes would require legislative authority and may take time. In the meantime, we encourage input from all of you throughout the process. The Board is also reviewing the time requirement for training. Currently, the law states that a first time user must have a minimum of 80 hours of training in four weeks. For successor dogs, the requirement is 40 hours over a period of two weeks. The Practice Task Force (made up of three senior guide dog instructors) recommended that the Board set the minimum at 30 hours of in-harness instruction and 15 hours of theoretical instruction for first time users. For successor dogs, the requirement would be 20 hours of in-harness instruction and 10 hours of theoretical instruction. This regulatory proposal will be submitted in the next two months to the Office of Administrative Law for consideration. What lies in the future for the Board? The Board is currently scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2011. What happens if this occurs? If the Board sunsets, the structure of the board members would go away, to be replaced by a Bureau within a Department (either the Department of Consumer Affairs or the Department of Rehabilitation). The Guide Dog Act itself would remain, along with all of its regulations. Fees would continue to be collected from guide dog schools and guide dog instructors. A Bureau Chief would be appointed by the Director of the Department. What other organizations fulfill the functions of the Board? While the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) promotes standards of practice for guide dog schools, competencies for guide dog instructors have not been established. Additionally, if standards are not met under the standards set for by IGDF for the guide dog instructor, guide dogs or the guide dog school, the only remedy is to be removed as a member of the organization. There would be no format for a consumer to complain about a licensee (a school or an instructor) and no disciplinary authority to prevent the instructor from practicing or the school from operating. In other states, a school can operate without an instructor. In California, if a school did not have an instructor, its license would be suspended, which would mean that no funds could be raised. This is one of the checks and balances built into the law. What has the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind done for you lately? The answer is not a simple one. The legal mandate is clearly consumer protection through the competency of guide dogs, guide dog instructors and schools. This is accomplished through annual school inspections, bi-annual examinations and continuing education requirements. What else can the Board do? Can the Board be an advocate for the consumer? Can consumers still contact the Board if they have a concern about access or a vicious dog attack? The answer is yes. While the Board does not have the jurisdiction to cite or fine businesses or members of the public from impeding on the mobility of our consumers, we have historically assisted in educating businesses about state and federal accessibility laws. We hope to continue this important dialogue with our stakeholders and encourage you to be a part of our decision-making process. For more information on the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind, visit us on the web at www.guidedogboard.ca.gov.The Guide Dog Act was signed into law by Governor Earl Warren in 1947. The Guide Dog Board was established for three reasons; one, to prohibit fly-by-night schools; two, to set training standards for guide dog instruction; three, to ensure financial integrity and accountability in donor funds. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: Visit Your Group Start a New Topic For guide dog handlers assisting guide dog handlers with advocacy/education-- visit: www.gdui.org or www.nfb-nagdu.org MARKETPLACE Going Green: Your Yahoo! Groups resource for green living Yahoo! Groups Switch to: Text-Only , Daily Digest . Unsubscribe . Terms of Use . __,_._,___ No virus found in this incoming message. 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