[Cagdu] FW: [K9Scoop] WHAT YOUR GUIDE DOG BOARD DOES FOR YOU

Mon Jan 25 15:33:00 PST 2010

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. <http://www.ccbnet.org/bc/bc1001.htm#16>
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]

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