From Mike at michaelhingson.com Mon Jul 1 12:45:27 2013 From: Mike at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2013 12:45:27 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] NAGDU Meeting to be made available remotely Message-ID: <014f01ce7693$8b426f20$a1c74d60$@com> All, If you are at home tonight at 7PM Eastern Time, 4PM Pacific, and wish to listen to the NAGDU meeting in action you are in luck. Due to the wonders of Science and Technology, and a Bluetooth microphone at our end you can listen to the meeting by following these directions. Dial (218) 936-2053. Then press the # key. Next press 1. Finally enter the room number 62438 followed by the # key. We will begin the meeting with a discussion of an important resolution. Following this will be a number of discussions of interest to all guide dog users and those who may have an interest in guide dogs. I hope you can make the call. Best, Michael Hingson From info at michaelhingson.com Mon Jul 1 12:48:02 2013 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2013 12:48:02 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: [nagdu] NAGDU Meeting to be made available remotely Message-ID: <016901ce7693$e6b7fa50$b427eef0$@com> All, If you are at home tonight at 7PM Eastern Time, 4PM Pacific, and wish to listen to the NAGDU meeting in action you are in luck. Due to the wonders of Science and Technology, and a Bluetooth microphone at our end you can listen to the meeting by following these directions. Dial (218) 936-2053. Then press the # key. Next press 1. Finally enter the room number 62438 followed by the # key. We will begin the meeting with a discussion of an important resolution. Following this will be a number of discussions of interest to all guide dog users and those who may have an interest in guide dogs. I hope you can make the call. Best, Michael Hingson _______________________________________________ nagdu mailing list nagdu at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/info%40michaelhingson.com From info at michaelhingson.com Mon Jul 1 19:30:54 2013 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2013 19:30:54 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] tonight's attempt at streaming and the resolution Message-ID: <025e01ce76cc$2f3bfeb0$8db3fc10$@com> All, Well, as some of you observed the hard way we had limited success at bringing you the NAGDU meeting. The hotel was unable to give us what we really needed, at least at an affordable price. We tried to use a Bluetooth connection and an iPhone. It mostly worked until the phone rang and we lost the Bluetooth connection. We had some good speakers discussing access for service dogs at the Disney resorts. Also a representative from the zoo industry also spoke about the accreditation process for zoos. It's a bit all over the map, but access for our guide dogs is supported and encouraged. Disney is extremely supportive these days. The meeting, as you know, began with a resolution about GDB. The resolution passed eighteen to 4. I am including the full resolution below. We shall try again Wednesday. If we can make something more substantial work I'll let all y'all know. Now, here is the resolution. Feel free to share this as it is now a matter of the NAGDU record. Mike Hingson Resolution urging the Corporate Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind to Instate Appropriate Leadership WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind was formed by the blind of the United States to represent blind Americans in order to secure equality, security, and opportunity for all blind people in the United States including ensuring their full and active participation in agencies and organizations serving the blind; and WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest organization of the blind in the United States; and WHEREAS, the NFB is concerned when agencies and organizations purporting to serve the blind systematically exclude blind stakeholders from true involvement and participation; and WHEREAS, Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) has recently taken actions that negatively affect its blind consumers; and WHEREAS, GDB asserts that it has always been about relationships, 1. matching just the right guide dog with the right person for safe, independent travel; 2. building relationships with graduates in the field while providing excellent and comprehensive follow-up services; 3. creating opportunities for relationships between handlers and their guides and puppy raisers and fostering appreciation of contributions of money and service; and WHEREAS, its current leadership has unjustly laid off many highly respected employees whose considerable expertise and experience have provided outstanding graduate services and who deserve credit for making GDB the fine organization it is today; And WHEREAS, the field area managers have been cut from twelve to six, dramatically increasing the number of graduates assigned to each, creating fewer opportunities for relationship building with unconvincing assurances that a call center staffed by six can adequately handle the highly individualized needs of over 2000 working teams; and WHEREAS, the reorganization plan will decrease the time field representatives can spend with individuals in their regions because of the layoffs and early retirement of highly respected professionals who have played major roles in creating and setting high industry standards; and WHEREAS, in the past, positive staff/consumer relations have made Guide Dogs for the Blind a safe place where clients have been able to trust that their best interests and individual needs would be respected and receive prompt attention; and WHEREAS, the current management's recent actions represent an unwelcome return to the paternalistic decision-making that the blind had hoped was behind us; and WHEREAS, it is time for consumers' points of view to be more powerfully represented, heard, and acted upon; and WHEREAS, GDB's current leadership has demonstrated its lack of awareness of the organization's unique corporate culture by failing to address serious consumer concerns while continuing to assert that all is well; and WHEREAS, by enacting unpopular and sweeping changes before analyzing the results of a recent graduate survey, current leadership clearly indicates its lack of understanding of and concern for the consumer point of view; and WHEREAS, the leadership of GDB has removed blind employees from jobs they had held for more than ten years and performed well, moving them to a new back room call center rather than allowing them to function in jobs for which they were trained while serving as visible positive role models for the blind and the general public, an act that calls into question the value GDB leadership places on blind employees; and WHEREAS, GDB's mission is not being fulfilled when current senior management;: 1. Suddenly lays off excellent employees who for many represent, the voice and face of GDB; 2. Reduces the number of graduate support field managers from twelve to six; 3. Creates a new customer call center that is expected to provide the same personalized graduate support previously accomplished by the twelve outside field support staff; 4. Fails to recognize the high importance of having blind people employed in all areas of the organization including jobs that keep them in meaningful positions interacting with tourists and other visitors to the campus; and WHEREAS, only the board of Guide Dogs for the Blind can remedy the leadership problems that threaten the future integrity of GDB. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Association of Guide Dog Users, a division of the National Federation of the Blind, in its annual meeting assembled on this first day of July, 2013, in Orlando, Florida, that this organization condemn and deplore the actions of the current leadership of Guide Dogs for the Blind; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization call upon the corporate board of Guide Dogs for the Blind to take the necessary actions to put in place qualified appropriate leadership to restore the trust which has been deeply eroded by unjustified layoffs and devastating cuts to consumer support services; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization call upon Guide Dogs for the Blind not only to return its relocated blind employees to the jobs they were performing until they were moved to the back room call center but also to increase the number of blind employees throughout every department at GDB; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization call upon the corporate Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind to require that a minimum of 51% of its directors be consumers and immediately establish stronger linkage between GDB consumers and the corporate board. From info at michaelhingson.com Wed Jul 3 12:58:03 2013 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2013 12:58:03 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] (no subject) Message-ID: <01b701ce7827$a3011d60$e9035820$@com> We're going to try again. If you are at home tonight at 7PM Eastern Time, 4PM Pacific, and wish to listen to the NAGDU meeting in action you are in luck. Due to the wonders of Science and Technology, and a Bluetooth microphone at our end you can listen to the meeting by following these directions. (At least we hope to have better luck this time.) Dial (218) 936-2053. Then press the # key. Next press 1. Finally enter the room number 62438 followed by the # key. After conducting a fairly short business meeting we shall hear from several programs. The CEOs from GDB, and TSE as well as other high ranking officials will be presenting. I hope we can make connections this evening. Best, Michael Hingson From info at michaelhingson.com Fri Jul 5 14:56:07 2013 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2013 14:56:07 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] Guide Dogs resolution passed Message-ID: <04f101ce79ca$76a89f00$63f9dd00$@com> All, As expected, there was considerable discussion. When the vote was taken the vote was mixed and a roll call of the state delegates was made. The resolution passed 27 yes, 22 no, and two abstained. Take care all. We can talk later. Best, Michael Hingson From info at michaelhingson.com Wed Jul 10 07:21:51 2013 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 07:21:51 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] FYI FW: [nagdu] Convention Debriefing Message-ID: <005401ce7d78$d2dfc170$789f4450$@com> -----Original Message----- From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of National Association of Guide Dog Users Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 03:49 AM To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'; 'New York Association of Guide Dog Users'; New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users; nagdu-leaders at nfbnet.org Subject: [nagdu] Convention Debriefing Dear All, Now that convention is behind us, the NAGDU board wants to know how we did! What did we do well and where do we have room for improvement? We will hold a convention debriefing meeting via teleconference to offer you an opportunity to give us feedback on convention activities and arrangements. The convention debriefing meeting will be held on Sunday, July 14 at 8:00 p.m. EDT (7:00 Central; 6:00 Mountain; & 5:00 Pacific). The call-in instructions are as follows; 1. At the specified time, call (218-936-2053 Follow the prompts to the rooms and use room code 62438 Please note: All participants will be required to identify themselves. Anonymous callers may not enter the board room. This conference will be recorded. Participation in the conference implies an agreement to and authorization for such recording in compliance with state and federal laws. During the conference call, participants may mute themselves by pressing *1. Pressing *1 again, unmutes the participant. Fraternally yours, Marion Gwizdala, President National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. National Federation of the Blind (813) 626-2789 (Office) 888-NAGDU411 (Hotline President at nagdu.org www.nagdu.org _______________________________________________ nagdu mailing list nagdu at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/info%40michaelhingson.com From judotina48kg at gmail.com Wed Jul 10 14:00:58 2013 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 14:00:58 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] (no subject) Message-ID: <003701ce7db0$94f540a0$bedfc1e0$@com> If this email isn't displaying properly, click here to view the web version. Dear Christina, I recently emailed you about our Critical Care Fund at Guide Dogs for the Blind--to raise much--needed funding for vet care for our guide dogs. But I'm sending you a second urgent request because we really need your help today. At any given time, we have thousands of guide dogs in service who need medical care to stay healthy for their partners--and others who need emergency treatments to save their lives. So will you please support our Critical Care Fund with a tax-deductible donation right now? We promise our guide dogs a lifetime of support . and we never want to break that promise. As you know, the health of our puppies and dogs is critical to their success as guides. These special, highly trained canines give their partners enhanced mobility and the joy of having a loyal best friend always at their side. Your gift today can provide the peace of mind that they'll receive the extraordinary care they deserve. In fact, you can save the life of an amazing dog like Turbo--who was facing almost certain death from liver and kidney failure, due to a rare disease. It was the support of members like you that gave us the resources to be there for Turbo with urgent medical care, so that he could continue to be there for his human companion, Jonathan. Only your continued support can assure that we can be there for every other guide dog like Turbo. If you already donated to our Critical Care Fund, thank you very much for your generosity. But if you haven't yet had a chance to participate in the Critical Care Fund, please do so today. You have my deepest appreciation for your ongoing support. Sincerely, John Cavalcanti, Director of Medicine and Canine Programs P.S. Just as a reminder, your generous donation to our Critical Care Fund is tax-deductible and will help with the care of our puppies and dogs, and all our efforts to build extraordinary canine partnerships. Thank you. Unsubscribe | Change Contact Info | Feedback | Privacy Statement | GuideDogs.com Home If you know someone who is blind, please tell them about GDB. Under the ADA, businesses that serve the public must allow access to people with disabilities using service animals. Guide Dogs wearing harnesses are at work. Please allow them to do their jobs! C 2013 Guide Dogs for the Blind, All Rights Reserved. Unsubscribe. nonprofit software From tinadt at sbcglobal.net Sun Jul 7 17:24:59 2013 From: tinadt at sbcglobal.net (Tina Thomas) Date: Sun, 7 Jul 2013 17:24:59 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: An amazing guide dog needs you Message-ID: <042e01ce7b71$a2593800$e70ba800$@net> Subject: An amazing guide dog needs you If this email isn't displaying properly, click here to view the web version. Image removed by sender. Guide Dogs for the Blind Image removed by sender. Help Support Heroes Like Turbo, Donate Now Dear Christina, Turbo just wasn't himself. A normally energetic Labrador retriever, Turbo had always enjoyed an active lifestyle with his human partner Jonathan. But lately, Jonathan noticed that Turbo was losing weight. His appetite was gone. And after years of guiding, Turbo had his first accident in the house. You can never predict if or when illness will strike a loyal guide dog like Turbo. The one thing we can do is make sure we're always ready to do what it takes to save the life of a canine partner who gives so much. That's why Guide Dogs for the Blind started our Critical Care Fund--and why I'm asking for your support today. Our Critical Care Fund is designed to provide the highest quality veterinary care for our special, highly trained dogs--free of charge--for the duration of their partnership. When you make a donation to our Critical Care Fund , your gift can save a dog like Turbo . and ensure he can be the best canine partner possible. So can we count on your generous tax-deductible gift today? Thanks to the continued support of people like you, Turbo was able to be rushed to Guide Dogs to get the care he needed. Working closely with its own and other veterinarians, GDB diagnosed Turbo as having two rare diseases of the liver and kidneys. Without that diagnosis and treatment, Turbo would surely have died. After immediate treatment, Turbo was on the guide dog disabled list for 5 months. Blood work, liver biopsies and ongoing checkups were all provided by Guide Dogs for the Blind vet staff on our campus. I'm happy to report that he made a full recovery and returned to guide service with Jonathan, as if he never missed a beat. And today, Turbo is enjoying a healthy retirement. But, other guide dogs will need specialized medical care and we never want to turn a dog like Turbo away. Your support for our Critical Care Fund right now can help ensure we never have to. Thank you, as always, for your generosity. Sincerely, John Cavalcanti, Director of Medicine and Canine Programs Unsubscribe | Change Contact Info | Feedback | Privacy Statement | GuideDogs.com Home Image removed by sender. Facebook Image removed by sender. Twitter Image removed by sender. Blog Image removed by sender. YouTube Image removed by sender. Flickr If you know someone who is blind, please tell them about GDB. Under the ADA, businesses that serve the public must allow access to people with disabilities using service animals. Guide Dogs wearing harnesses are at work. Please allow them to do their jobs! C 2013 Guide Dogs for the Blind, All Rights Reserved. Image removed by sender. Unsubscribe. Image removed by sender. powered by CONVIO nonprofit software -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20130707/2a7f72a1/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 332 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20130707/2a7f72a1/attachment-0004.jpe From info at michaelhingson.com Mon Jul 15 13:11:07 2013 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:11:07 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] The nation's two preeminent blindness consumer groups adopt resolutions calling for changes in GDB's leadership Message-ID: <049d01ce8197$714623f0$53d26bd0$@com> All, As you know the NFB adopted a resolution at our 2013 convention calling for a change in leadership at GDB. What you may not know is that last Thursday the ACB also adopted a resolution also calling for change. While the Federation resolution is more firm in language in some areas both organizations now are calling for the same thing. Both organizations independently, have come to the same conclusions about the way blind people are being treated by GDB leadership. This is significant. The ball is in the court of GDB now. We all hope that the GDB Board will step up and improve leadership and thus the school's programs. I am attaching both resolutions for your consideration. What the NFB and ACB are doing is to work toward a better guide dog school and atmosphere. These resolutions will in no way damage the school so long as the current leadership ceases its negative programs and the Board makes changes. We need to keep up the visibility of concern. Please get friends, family, and others to visit http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-the-board-its-time?source=c.em.mt &r_by and sign the petition there. Thanks. Best, Michael Hingson The Michael Hingson Group, INC. "Speaking with Vision" Michael Hingson, President (415) 827-4084 info at michaelhingson.com To order Michael Hingson's new book, Thunder Dog, and check on Michael Hingson's speaking availability for your next event please visit: www.michaelhingson.com To purchase your own portrait of Roselle painted by the world's foremost animal artist, Ron Burns, please visit http://www.ronburns.com/roselle -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20130715/636a454f/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: GDB ACB Resolution.doc Type: application/msword Size: 26112 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20130715/636a454f/attachment.doc -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: GDB NFB Resolution.doc Type: application/msword Size: 35840 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20130715/636a454f/attachment-0001.doc From info at michaelhingson.com Mon Jul 15 16:54:34 2013 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:54:34 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] Leadership Change at GDB Message-ID: <05fe01ce81b6$a8cc37f0$fa64a7d0$@com> From: Bob Burke Sent: Monday, July 15, 2013 4:30 PM To: All GDB Employees (all sites) Subject: Leadership change at Guide Dogs for the Blind Dear staff, On Monday, July 15 Bob Burke was named interim president and CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB). Burke replaces Paul Lopez, who has resigned to pursue other opportunities. A nationwide search will begin immediately to find a new president and CEO. Burke has served on the GDB board since 2008, most recently as board chair. As interim president and CEO, he will work closely with the full board, staff, volunteers and the Alumni Association board. "It's a pleasure to be a part of such an important, world-class organization and I look forward to serving in this interim role," said Burke. "I'm also looking forward to working with the board, staff and our partners on the search for a new president and CEO." George Kerscher, who currently serves as GDB's vice chair of the board, will take on the interim role of board chair. "We're grateful to Bob for taking on this expanded role as we search for a new president and CEO," said Kerscher. Lopez issued the following statement following his resignation: To all staff, I have come to the painful decision after much reflection that I am resigning from my position as president and CEO and as board member of GDB. In the best interest of GDB, I will work with the board as needed to effect a smooth transition of leadership, but per the board's request, I will be leaving my day-to-day responsibilities effective today. I have been honored to serve in this role and have appreciated the opportunity to lead this great organization. Thanks to everyone for your patience, effort and support during my time here at GDB and I wish everyone continued success. I have learned firsthand that you all do great work and I hope that you continue to make such a meaningful difference in our graduates' lives. Thanks again to everyone and good-bye for now. Sincerely, Paul As a first order of business, Bob Burke and the board will be designing the search process in the next few days. GDB will share additional information regarding recruitment efforts as the organization develops a search committee process and timeline; and GDB will communicate regularly with partners, supporters, volunteers and peer organizations locally, nationally and internationally as we conduct our search. We look forward to continuing GDB's important work and to announcing a new president and CEO. Thank you again for your continued support of GDB's work and mission. Sincerely, Guide Dogs for the Blind Board of Directors ________________________________________ Guide Dogs for the Blind Creating successful partnerships for 70 years! Celebrate the remarkable bond between humans and dogs. Your generosity can change someone's life! Give online at www.guidedogs.com/donate today! From judotina48kg at gmail.com Thu Jul 18 16:51:06 2013 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 16:51:06 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: Paul Lopez has resigned his position as CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind Message-ID: <025d01ce8411$acc8e300$065aa900$@com> On July 15, GDB CEO Paul Lopez resigned, Bob Burke was announced as interim CEO, and George Kerscher formerly the board's vice chair, graciously agreed to serve as the interim chair. I cannot thank each and every one of you enough for your efforts and support as we all worked together to save our guide dog school. There is much more still to be accomplished, but thanks to you, the petition's momentum created by you, numerous letters expressing sincere concern and strong resolutions passed by ACB and NFB, the board finally heard our impassioned pleas and took action. It is now time for all of us to work together to help GDB to heal and to move forward. I wish each of you all the best as we strive to rebuild and maintain GDB as an innovater in its field and a safe and supportive guide dog training program of which we can all be extremely proud! Very sincerely, Sheila Styron _____ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20130718/066d1134/attachment.html From ceverett at dslextreme.com Mon Jul 15 18:29:22 2013 From: ceverett at dslextreme.com (Claude Everett) Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:29:22 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] [Nfbc-info] Leadership Change at GDB In-Reply-To: <05fe01ce81b6$a8cc37f0$fa64a7d0$@com> References: <05fe01ce81b6$a8cc37f0$fa64a7d0$@com> Message-ID: A good first move!! Claude Everett "First of all: what is work? Work is of two kinds: first, altering the position of matter at or near the earth's surface relatively to other such matter; second, telling other people to do so. The first kind is unpleasant and ill paid; the second is pleasant and highly paid." >From The collection of essays "In Praise of Idleness" by Bertrand Russell -----Original Message----- From: Nfbc-info [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Hingson Sent: Monday, July 15, 2013 4:55 PM To: 'Cagdu'; 'NFB of California List' Subject: [Nfbc-info] Leadership Change at GDB From: Bob Burke Sent: Monday, July 15, 2013 4:30 PM To: All GDB Employees (all sites) Subject: Leadership change at Guide Dogs for the Blind Dear staff, On Monday, July 15 Bob Burke was named interim president and CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB). Burke replaces Paul Lopez, who has resigned to pursue other opportunities. A nationwide search will begin immediately to find a new president and CEO. Burke has served on the GDB board since 2008, most recently as board chair. As interim president and CEO, he will work closely with the full board, staff, volunteers and the Alumni Association board. "It's a pleasure to be a part of such an important, world-class organization and I look forward to serving in this interim role," said Burke. "I'm also looking forward to working with the board, staff and our partners on the search for a new president and CEO." George Kerscher, who currently serves as GDB's vice chair of the board, will take on the interim role of board chair. "We're grateful to Bob for taking on this expanded role as we search for a new president and CEO," said Kerscher. Lopez issued the following statement following his resignation: To all staff, I have come to the painful decision after much reflection that I am resigning from my position as president and CEO and as board member of GDB. In the best interest of GDB, I will work with the board as needed to effect a smooth transition of leadership, but per the board's request, I will be leaving my day-to-day responsibilities effective today. I have been honored to serve in this role and have appreciated the opportunity to lead this great organization. Thanks to everyone for your patience, effort and support during my time here at GDB and I wish everyone continued success. I have learned firsthand that you all do great work and I hope that you continue to make such a meaningful difference in our graduates' lives. Thanks again to everyone and good-bye for now. Sincerely, Paul As a first order of business, Bob Burke and the board will be designing the search process in the next few days. GDB will share additional information regarding recruitment efforts as the organization develops a search committee process and timeline; and GDB will communicate regularly with partners, supporters, volunteers and peer organizations locally, nationally and internationally as we conduct our search. We look forward to continuing GDB's important work and to announcing a new president and CEO. Thank you again for your continued support of GDB's work and mission. Sincerely, Guide Dogs for the Blind Board of Directors ________________________________________ Guide Dogs for the Blind Creating successful partnerships for 70 years! Celebrate the remarkable bond between humans and dogs. Your generosity can change someone's life! Give online at www.guidedogs.com/donate today! _______________________________________________ Nfbc-info mailing list Nfbc-info at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbc-info_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbc-info: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbc-info_nfbnet.org/ceverett%40dslextreme .com From tinadt at sbcglobal.net Mon Jul 22 20:59:43 2013 From: tinadt at sbcglobal.net (Tina Thomas) Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 20:59:43 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: USA TODAY Story about student guide dog users Message-ID: <00a101ce8759$1141d810$33c58830$@net> Subject: USA TODAY Story about student guide dog users Hello Tina, I'm a collegiate correspondent for USA TODAY College and I'm working on a story about a new TN law that grants access to guide dog users without requiring them to show documentation. My main source is Luke Putney, a NAGDU student spokesperson, and upcoming freshman at Belmont U. I want to talk to other student guide dog users about access on their campuses and in their towns, and I was wondering if you could put me in contact with anyone who would be interested in talking to me? Thanks so much, Stephanie Talmadge Executive Editor Ampersand Magazine University of Georgia, Honors 2014 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20130722/1134ed5c/attachment.html From juanitaherrera1991 at gmail.com Tue Jul 23 17:00:51 2013 From: juanitaherrera1991 at gmail.com (Juanita Herrera) Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 17:00:51 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: USA TODAY Story about student guide dog users In-Reply-To: <00a101ce8759$1141d810$33c58830$@net> References: <00a101ce8759$1141d810$33c58830$@net> Message-ID: <8C4B7132-48EA-4A89-9C19-42D5C1F4651E@gmail.com> Tina, I'd be interested. Juanita Sent from my iPhone On Jul 22, 2013, at 8:59 PM, "Tina Thomas" wrote: > Subject: USA TODAY Story about student guide dog users > > Hello Tina, > > I'm a collegiate correspondent for USA TODAY College and I'm working on a story about a new TN law that grants access to guide dog users without requiring them to show documentation. My main source is Luke Putney, a NAGDU student spokesperson, and upcoming freshman at Belmont U. > > I want to talk to other student guide dog users about access on their campuses and in their towns, and I was wondering if you could put me in contact with anyone who would be interested in talking to me? > > Thanks so much, > > Stephanie Talmadge > Executive Editor > Ampersand Magazine > University of Georgia, Honors 2014 > > _______________________________________________ > 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/20130723/c6a0b9aa/attachment.html From info at michaelhingson.com Fri Jul 26 10:34:16 2013 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 10:34:16 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] a story about guide dog users' rights in Tennessee Message-ID: <017901ce8a26$5a739e40$0f5adac0$@com> Hi all, I thought you would like to see this article about a change in the Tennessee law concerning the rights of guide dog users. It is progress! Best, Michael Hingson Tennessee updates guide dog law, students hope for increased awareness By Stephanie Talmadge @srtalmadge USA TODAY Collegiate Correspondent http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/0713-300-d og.jpg Courtesy of Stephanie Talmadge Luke Putney and guide dog Luke on the Belmont University campus. "It's like being asked to leave my eyeballs [or my 3-year-old] outside," says Luke Putney, an incoming freshman at Belmont University, on being told he can enter an establishment only if he leaves his guide dog tied to a tree outside. On July 1, Tennessee passed a law that granted guide dog users access to essentially any public establishment - without having to provide documentation - matching the standard in the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the 1950s, there were almost no laws regarding access for blind people, says Michael Hingson, the vice president of the National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU). As awareness about guide dogs increased, states began to pass laws regarding their restrictions. By the time the ADA passed in 1990, almost every state had its own laws - and it has taken more than 20 years for those laws to catch up to federal standards. RELATED: Study: More would donate eyes if they knew they could Though the updated law isn't a drastic change, Putney and Hingson agree it is a positive step. "State laws can't violate federal laws, so it is relevant that Tennessee is making their law in accordance with the federal law," Hingson says. "The very fact that states have laws, some of which are more stringent and give more teeth and power to the rights than federal laws, [is] important." "It's ridiculous that I have to show some special card to get into any place in Tennessee, [even though I don't really] have to show [anything] because federal law says I don't," Hingson says. Putney has been working with NAGDU's new chapter in Nashville, sending out news releases to businesses to promote awareness "about guide dogs in general" and educate business owners about the updated law. Putney was recently asked to present documentation for his guide dog, Jacob, while checking out at Whole Foods. "It's kind of humiliating," Putney says. Julie McGinnity, a guide dog user and recent grad from Webster University, says public awareness is the biggest problem when it comes to access with guide dogs - but once she informs people of the law, they understand. McGinnity was asked to present a card for her dog, Brie, while visiting the Statue of Liberty a few years ago. Putney and McGinnity both say, however, they have had little trouble gaining access for their dogs on college campuses. "Belmont's been really awesome with accessibility," says Putney, because there aren't many roads to cross. McGinnity, who was a vocal performance major, says Brie even performed with her on several occasions. In addition to being guide-dog-friendly, many colleges - such as the University of Georgia and Texas A&M - have programs where students raise puppies that will become trained guide or service dogs. Deana Izzo, a field representative for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, says programs such as those help to familiarize the community with guide dogs. Izzo says she spends significant time educating students about these dogs, so they will grow up aware and eventually teach their kids. The new Tennessee law still requires dog trainers and raisers to present identification when entering a public establishment. Puppy raisers and trainers take the dogs into a wide variety of places to expose them to different social environments and stressors. Izzo says her puppy raisers have trouble getting access "all the time. However, over the last 20 years, that aspect of the job has decreased, due to education." Izzo recommends to her puppy raisers and graduates to call ahead when they visit an establishment for the first time, not to get permission, but as a courtesy. This can be especially helpful when dealing with environments that may be unfriendly to dogs - such as foreign restaurants or cab companies - mainly due to custom or religion. Cab drivers may think "their customs trump my rights," but that's not the case, Hingson says. Hingson says he would like to see state laws go further, making access denial for people with guide dogs a criminal offense , as some states already have. "That would be a step in the right direction," McGinnity says. Stephanie Talmadge is a Summer 2013 USA TODAY Collegiate Correspondent. Learn more about her here . -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20130726/7aed9b0e/attachment.html