From judotina48kg at gmail.com Tue Mar 1 13:48:42 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2016 13:48:42 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: [seeing-eye] Update on Mike May's son Carson In-Reply-To: <011501d17401$3522fdd0$9f68f970$@ky2d.com> References: <011501d17401$3522fdd0$9f68f970$@ky2d.com> Message-ID: <248301d17404$2007fa60$6017ef20$@gmail.com> From: seeing-eye at googlegroups.com [mailto:seeing-eye at googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Ginger Kutsch Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2016 1:28 PM To: seeing-eye at googlegroups.com Subject: [seeing-eye] Update on Mike May's son Carson UPDATE #3 from the pages of Carson May's Memorial Fund site at: https://www.gofundme.com/carsonmaymemorial Tuesday, March 1, 2016 On leap day, February 29, 2016, Carson May was found by Tahoe Nordic and Eldorado County search and rescue teams outside the Sugar Bowl ski area. A 3 year-old female German Shepherd named Beaujet alerted on a spot and dug down 5 feet to where Carson has been buried under snow for nearly 6 weeks. Beaujet?s handler turns out to be part of the extended family/friend network. She said Carson looked handsome and peaceful when Beaujet uncovered him. Our deepest gratitude to the search teams yesterday including another Shepherd named Mika and to all those who have looked from the beginning through this successful discovery of Carson. We can only speculate that Carson got disoriented when skiing outside runs he was familiar with and got caught in an avalanche. He was found in the vicinity of his cell phone ping. We know that the accuracy of that ping was questionable and you can?t dig everywhere for hundreds of square yards. Thank you for the contributions to the Carson GoFundMe campaign where the goal is to save a life by adding early detection technology to the traditional SAR tools. We have a number of interesting leads toward identifying the latest location technology and figuring out what might be developed and what laws can be modified to allow exceptions for finding a missing person. You can actively remember Carson by joining our Cycle for Sight event April 16 in Napa and joining the Carson May Memorial team. There will be a memorial April 24 in Davis per the link on this site. Even though Carson has been found, please keep the funds, ideas and contacts coming as his creativity, brilliance and tenacity lives into the future. Love from Carson?s dad and all the family 9008259_1456845326.7825_updates Beaujet in the snow Subscribe to Updates Show More DONATE TWEET SHARE Carson went missing while skiing at Sugarbowl on January 14th, 2016 and has not yet been found. Traditional search and rescue efforts were monumental, but not successful. Several technologies could not be deployed quickly because of privacy limitations, jurisdictional issues, and lack of prompt availability. Our goal is to ensure that future search teams are aware of, and have quick access to, state of the art SAR technology tools. Details about Carson's search and information about the resources we discover will be posted at www.carsonmay http://www.CarsonMay.org Carson would be the first to rant about how bad the tech was in this situation and how we could make it better for someone else in the future. If we save one life, we are successful and we honor Carson. -With love from Carson's dad and family -- The Seeing Eye Independence with Dignity since 1929 If you need to contact one of the list owners for > questions or assistance, please use the following email address: seeing-eye+owner at googlegroups.com . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seeing Eye Discussions" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to seeing-eye+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com . To post to this group, send email to seeing-eye at googlegroups.com . To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/seeing-eye/011501d17401%243522fdd0%249f68f970%24%40ky2d.com . For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160301/aea9eada/attachment.html From judotina48kg at gmail.com Tue Mar 1 19:38:07 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2016 19:38:07 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: [seeing-eye] Body of missing skier Carson May recovered at Sugar Bowl resort In-Reply-To: <017a01d17420$e48dd190$ada974b0$@ky2d.com> References: <017a01d17420$e48dd190$ada974b0$@ky2d.com> Message-ID: <288f01d17434$f04a7d30$d0df7790$@gmail.com> From: seeing-eye at googlegroups.com [mailto:seeing-eye at googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Ginger Kutsch Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2016 5:15 PM To: seeing-eye at googlegroups.com Subject: [seeing-eye] Body of missing skier Carson May recovered at Sugar Bowl resort Body of missing skier Carson May recovered at Sugar Bowl resort Source: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article63230582.html Highlights Search and rescue teams found body Monday under 5 feet of snow Sugar Bowl official said May likely perished in avalanche Scent dogs credited with locating body The body of ski instructor Carson May, 23, was found by search-and-rescue teams at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort on Monday, February 29, 2016. By Cathy Locke and Brad Branan The body of 23-year-old ski instructor Carson May was located Monday afternoon by search and rescue teams more than six weeks after he went missing at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. The Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team, along with El Dorado County Search and Rescue dog teams, were training at the resort. The search dogs were taken to the area where May?s cellphone last ?pinged? in January. His body was found under 5 feet of snow, according to the Placer County Sheriff?s Office. May, a Davis resident, was last seen Jan. 14. Despite an intensive five-day search, searchers were unable to locate him at the time, and the effort was called off when weather conditions grew severe. Sugar Bowl?s chief executive officer, Greg Dallas, said the discovery brought a feeling of sad resolution to May?s family and Sugar Bowl employees. ?It brings closure to the family, first and foremost,? he said. ?Carson was one of ours, so it brings closure for us, too.? Considering that May was found under a significant amount of snow, after weeks of warm weather since his disappearance, he likely perished in an avalanche, Dallas said. His body was found on the back side of Mount Judah, about a quarter-mile from the resort?s boundaries. May?s father, Mike May, said he is glad his son was found, but the discovery did not bring relief. ?There?s no such thing as closure when you lose your son,? he said. ?It?s an open wound that will stay that way.? Carson May was an instructor with Sugar Bowl?s Mountain Sports Learning Center ski school, providing lessons to customers of varying skill levels. He was last seen by his brother when they were skiing the afternoon of Jan. 14. Searchers were given an idea of his location by his brother, who said May was headed to his locker and likely took a backcountry route to get there. The signal from May?s phone also indicated the backcountry route. Placer County Sheriff?s Sgt. Dave Hunt, who oversaw the January search for May, said searchers last month were hampered by high avalanche danger. Although considerable snowmelt has since occurred, Hunt said searchers would not have located the body Monday without the aid of search dogs. He said the discovery was made about 2 p.m. ?Our condolences go out to the family and to all the volunteers that participated in the search,? Hunt said. Mike May said rescue workers did everything they knew to help find Carson, but he believes there are better methods for finding people in snow. Mike May said he has been researching different technology, some of which is used by law enforcement, and wants to find ways of applying them to avalanche rescue. A Davis resident, Mike May set a speed record for a blind downhill skier and was able to regain sight later through a pioneering surgery. Since his son?s disappearance, May also created a website, http://www.carsonmay.org/, ?Celebrating the life of Carson May.? -- The Seeing Eye Independence with Dignity since 1929 If you need to contact one of the list owners for > questions or assistance, please use the following email address: seeing-eye+owner at googlegroups.com . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seeing Eye Discussions" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to seeing-eye+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com . To post to this group, send email to seeing-eye at googlegroups.com . To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/seeing-eye/017a01d17420%24e48dd190%24ada974b0%24%40ky2d.com . For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160301/4714916e/attachment.html From joystigile at gmail.com Tue Mar 1 19:54:31 2016 From: joystigile at gmail.com (Joy Stigile) Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2016 19:54:31 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: [seeing-eye] Body of missing skier Carson May recovered at Sugar Bowl resort In-Reply-To: <288f01d17434$f04a7d30$d0df7790$@gmail.com> References: <017a01d17420$e48dd190$ada974b0$@ky2d.com> <288f01d17434$f04a7d30$d0df7790$@gmail.com> Message-ID: <0c2d01d17437$3ade8560$b09b9020$@gmail.com> Hi Tina, Thanks for the 2 articles about Carson May. It is sad and comforting at the same time. Warmly, Joy From: cagdu-bounces at nfbcal.org [mailto:cagdu-bounces at nfbcal.org] On Behalf Of Tina Thomas Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2016 7:38 PM To: cagdu at nfbcal.org Subject: [Cagdu] FW: [seeing-eye] Body of missing skier Carson May recovered at Sugar Bowl resort From: seeing-eye at googlegroups.com [mailto:seeing-eye at googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Ginger Kutsch Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2016 5:15 PM To: seeing-eye at googlegroups.com Subject: [seeing-eye] Body of missing skier Carson May recovered at Sugar Bowl resort Body of missing skier Carson May recovered at Sugar Bowl resort Source: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article63230582.html Highlights Search and rescue teams found body Monday under 5 feet of snow Sugar Bowl official said May likely perished in avalanche Scent dogs credited with locating body The body of ski instructor Carson May, 23, was found by search-and-rescue teams at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort on Monday, February 29, 2016. By Cathy Locke and Brad Branan The body of 23-year-old ski instructor Carson May was located Monday afternoon by search and rescue teams more than six weeks after he went missing at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. The Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team, along with El Dorado County Search and Rescue dog teams, were training at the resort. The search dogs were taken to the area where May?s cellphone last ?pinged? in January. His body was found under 5 feet of snow, according to the Placer County Sheriff?s Office. May, a Davis resident, was last seen Jan. 14. Despite an intensive five-day search, searchers were unable to locate him at the time, and the effort was called off when weather conditions grew severe. Sugar Bowl?s chief executive officer, Greg Dallas, said the discovery brought a feeling of sad resolution to May?s family and Sugar Bowl employees. ?It brings closure to the family, first and foremost,? he said. ?Carson was one of ours, so it brings closure for us, too.? Considering that May was found under a significant amount of snow, after weeks of warm weather since his disappearance, he likely perished in an avalanche, Dallas said. His body was found on the back side of Mount Judah, about a quarter-mile from the resort?s boundaries. May?s father, Mike May, said he is glad his son was found, but the discovery did not bring relief. ?There?s no such thing as closure when you lose your son,? he said. ?It?s an open wound that will stay that way.? Carson May was an instructor with Sugar Bowl?s Mountain Sports Learning Center ski school, providing lessons to customers of varying skill levels. He was last seen by his brother when they were skiing the afternoon of Jan. 14. Searchers were given an idea of his location by his brother, who said May was headed to his locker and likely took a backcountry route to get there. The signal from May?s phone also indicated the backcountry route. Placer County Sheriff?s Sgt. Dave Hunt, who oversaw the January search for May, said searchers last month were hampered by high avalanche danger. Although considerable snowmelt has since occurred, Hunt said searchers would not have located the body Monday without the aid of search dogs. He said the discovery was made about 2 p.m. ?Our condolences go out to the family and to all the volunteers that participated in the search,? Hunt said. Mike May said rescue workers did everything they knew to help find Carson, but he believes there are better methods for finding people in snow. Mike May said he has been researching different technology, some of which is used by law enforcement, and wants to find ways of applying them to avalanche rescue. A Davis resident, Mike May set a speed record for a blind downhill skier and was able to regain sight later through a pioneering surgery. Since his son?s disappearance, May also created a website, http://www.carsonmay.org/, ?Celebrating the life of Carson May.? -- The Seeing Eye Independence with Dignity since 1929 If you need to contact one of the list owners for > questions or assistance, please use the following email address: seeing-eye+owner at googlegroups.com . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seeing Eye Discussions" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to seeing-eye+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com . To post to this group, send email to seeing-eye at googlegroups.com . To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/seeing-eye/017a01d17420%24e48dd190%24ada974b0%24%40ky2d.com . For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160301/b709fdc5/attachment.html From judotina48kg at gmail.com Thu Mar 3 09:30:58 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2016 09:30:58 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] Dixie has crossed over the rainbow bridge In-Reply-To: <336c01d17571$6f336b10$4d9a4130$@gmail.com> References: <32d501d17571$20f11600$62d34200$@gmail.com> <336c01d17571$6f336b10$4d9a4130$@gmail.com> Message-ID: <33b901d17572$73a24170$5ae6c450$@gmail.com> Subject: Dixie has crossed over the rainbow bridge Hello Everyone- I wanted to let you all know that Dixie passed away this morning. I took her out to relieve and once we came back in she collapsed. I am heartbroken. Take care. Tina -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160303/b2e089d4/attachment.html From mike at michaelhingson.com Thu Mar 3 10:05:43 2016 From: mike at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2016 10:05:43 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] [NAGDU] Dixie has crossed over the rainbow bridge In-Reply-To: <33b901d17572$73a24170$5ae6c450$@gmail.com> References: <32d501d17571$20f11600$62d34200$@gmail.com> <336c01d17571$6f336b10$4d9a4130$@gmail.com> <33b901d17572$73a24170$5ae6c450$@gmail.com> Message-ID: <005701d17577$4e5e3590$eb1aa0b0$@michaelhingson.com> Hi Tina, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I had the same thing happen with my second guide dog, Holland. Dixie is no longer suffering. Keep the good memories and experiences. Best Regards, Michael Hingson -----Original Message----- From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tina Thomas via NAGDU Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2016 9:31 AM To: cagdu at nfbcal.org Cc: Tina Thomas ; 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Dixie has crossed over the rainbow bridge Subject: Dixie has crossed over the rainbow bridge Hello Everyone- I wanted to let you all know that Dixie passed away this morning. I took her out to relieve and once we came back in she collapsed. I am heartbroken. Take care. Tina _______________________________________________ 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/mike%40michaelhingson.com From julietcody at cox.net Thu Mar 3 20:19:51 2016 From: julietcody at cox.net (Juliett Cody) Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2016 20:19:51 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] Dixie has crossed over the rainbow bridge In-Reply-To: <33b901d17572$73a24170$5ae6c450$@gmail.com> References: <32d501d17571$20f11600$62d34200$@gmail.com> <336c01d17571$6f336b10$4d9a4130$@gmail.com> <33b901d17572$73a24170$5ae6c450$@gmail.com> Message-ID: <002401d175cd$18c2cc60$4a486520$@cox.net> Hi Tina, I'm sorry you are heart broken;it's very sad. . Blessings, Juliet and Jewels From: cagdu-bounces at nfbcal.org [mailto:cagdu-bounces at nfbcal.org] On Behalf Of Tina Thomas Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2016 9:31 AM To: cagdu at nfbcal.org Cc: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' Subject: Re: [Cagdu] Dixie has crossed over the rainbow bridge Subject: Dixie has crossed over the rainbow bridge Hello Everyone- I wanted to let you all know that Dixie passed away this morning. I took her out to relieve and once we came back in she collapsed. I am heartbroken. Take care. Tina -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160303/5978d5f5/attachment.html From shannonldillon at gmail.com Tue Mar 8 09:42:30 2016 From: shannonldillon at gmail.com (Shannon Dillon) Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2016 09:42:30 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] Fwd: AB1824 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Please see Margie's message below, and the bill below her email. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Margie Donovan Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 17:25:48 -0800 Subject: AB1824 To: Shannon Dillon , tina at nagdu.org Greetings, I learned this afternoon that there will be a hearing on AB1824 on the 15th at 9:00. We need to find folks to testify. We also need to get the word out to puppy raisers. This is a very important bill to further protect our guides and puppy?s in training. For your convenience I will past the bill below. Please let me know if you can attend or if you know puppy raisers that can attend. Thanks, Margie Assembly Bill No. 1824 Introduced by Assembly Member Chang February 08, 2016 An act to amend Sections 600.2 and 600.5 of the Penal Code, relating to guide, signal, or service dogs, and making an appropriation therefor. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1824, as introduced, Chang. Guide, signal, or service dogs: injury or death. Under existing law, it is an infraction or a misdemeanor for any person to permit any dog which is owned, harbored, or controlled by him or her to cause injury to or the death of any guide, signal, or service dog, as defined, while the guide, signal, or service dog is in discharge of its duties. Existing law makes any person who intentionally causes injury to or the death of any guide, signal, or service dog, as defined, while the dog is in discharge of its duties, guilty of a misdemeanor. This bill would delete, from both crimes, the requirement that the guide, signal, or service dog be in discharge of its duties when the injury or death occurs and would make these crimes applicable to the injury or death of dogs that are enrolled in a training school or program for guide, signal, or service dogs, as specified. Under existing law, if a defendant is convicted of either of these crimes, the defendant is required to make restitution to the person with a disability who has custody or ownership of the dog for any veterinary bills and replacement costs of the dog if it is disabled or killed, or other reasonable costs deemed appropriate by the court. This bill would require the defendant, convicted of either crime, to also make restitution to the person for medical or medical-related expenses, or for loss of wages or income, incurred by the person as a direct result of the crime. Because this bill would expand the scope and penalties of existing crimes, it would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law provides for the compensation of victims and derivative victims of certain crimes by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board from the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, for specified losses suffered as a result of those crimes. Existing law authorizes the person with a disability in either of the above crimes to apply for compensation by the board in an amount not to exceed $10,000. By expanding the authorization for the use of moneys in the continuously appropriated Restitution Fund, this bill would make an appropriation. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. Section 600.2 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 600.2. (a) It is a crime for any person to permit any dog which is owned, harbored, or controlled by him or her to cause injury to , or the death of, any guide, signal, or service dog, as defined by Section 54.1 of the Civil Code, while the guide, signal, or service dog is in discharge of its duties. Code. (b) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) if the injury or death to any guide, signal, or service dog is caused by the person?s failure to exercise ordinary care in the control of his or her dog. (c) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor if the injury or death to any guide, signal, or service dog is caused by the person?s reckless disregard in the exercise of control over his or her dog, under circumstances that constitute such a departure from the conduct of a reasonable person as to be incompatible with a proper regard for the safety and life of any guide, signal, or service dog. A violation of this subdivision shall be punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by a fine of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both. The court shall consider the costs ordered pursuant to subdivision (d) when determining the amount of any fines. (d) In any case in which a A defendant who is convicted of a violation of this section, the defendant section shall be ordered to make restitution to the person with a disability who has custody or ownership of the guide, signal, or service dog for any veterinary bills and replacement costs of the dog if it is disabled or killed, medical or medical-related expenses incurred by the person with a disability as a direct result of a violation of this section, loss of wages or income incurred by the person with a disability as a direct result of a violation of this section, or other reasonable costs deemed appropriate by the court. The costs ordered pursuant to this subdivision shall be paid prior to any fines. The person with the disability may apply for compensation by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (e) For the purpose of this section, a ?guide, signal, or service dog? also includes a dog enrolled in a training school or program, located in this state, for guide, signal, or service dogs. SEC. 2. Section 600.5 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 600.5. (a) Any person who intentionally causes injury to, or the death of, any guide, signal, or service dog, as defined by Section 54.1 of the Civil Code, while the dog is in discharge of its duties, Code, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both a fine and imprisonment. The court shall consider the costs ordered pursuant to subdivision (b) when determining the amount of any fines. (b) In any case in which a A defendant who is convicted of a violation of this section, the defendant section shall be ordered to make restitution to the person with a disability who has custody or ownership of the dog for any veterinary bills and replacement costs of the dog if it is disabled or killed, medical or medical-related expenses incurred by the person with a disability as a direct result of a violation of this section, loss of wages or income incurred by the person with a disability as a direct result of a violation of this section, or other reasonable costs deemed appropriate by the court. The costs ordered pursuant to this subdivision shall be paid prior to any fines. The person with the disability may apply for compensation by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (c) For the purpose of this section, a ?guide, signal, or service dog? also includes a dog enrolled in a training school or program, located in this state, for guide, signal, or service dogs. SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII?B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII?B of the California Constitution. you wodaftertnoon -- SHANNON L. DILLON From peacefulwoman89 at cox.net Tue Mar 8 14:01:59 2016 From: peacefulwoman89 at cox.net (Lisa Irving) Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2016 14:01:59 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] Fwd: AB1824 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1A5B6559-F4DB-4022-8972-9D6E0870902B@cox.net> Would you or someone please break this information down? In other words what are the nuts and bolts? What exactly is this legislation saying the information is mired in so many points. I had a side note I am wondering, seriously, how do those of us who are blind identify the people who hurt our dogs? This is been an issue for me in the past. Best, Lisa Irving Sent from my iPhone > On Mar 8, 2016, at 9:42 AM, Shannon Dillon wrote: > > Please see Margie's message below, and the bill below her email. > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Margie Donovan > Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 17:25:48 -0800 > Subject: AB1824 > To: Shannon Dillon , tina at nagdu.org > > Greetings, > > > > I learned this afternoon that there will be a hearing on AB1824 on the > 15th at 9:00. We need to find folks to testify. We also need to get > the word out to puppy raisers. This is a very important bill to > further protect our guides and puppy?s in training. > > > > For your convenience I will past the bill below. Please let me know if > you can attend or if you know puppy raisers that can attend. > > > > Thanks, > > Margie > > > > > > Assembly Bill > > No. 1824 > > Introduced by Assembly Member Chang > > February 08, 2016 > > An act to amend Sections 600.2 and 600.5 of the Penal Code, relating > to guide, signal, > > or service dogs, and making an appropriation therefor. > > LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST > > AB 1824, as introduced, Chang. > > Guide, signal, or service dogs: injury or death. > > Under existing law, it is an infraction or a misdemeanor for any > person to permit > > any dog which is owned, harbored, or controlled by him or her to cause injury to > > or the death of any guide, signal, or service dog, as defined, while > the guide, signal, > > or service dog is in discharge of its duties. Existing law makes any > person who intentionally > > causes injury to or the death of any guide, signal, or service dog, as > defined, while > > the dog is in discharge of its duties, guilty of a misdemeanor. > > This bill would delete, from both crimes, the requirement that the > guide, signal, > > or service dog be in discharge of its duties when the injury or death occurs and > > would make these crimes applicable to the injury or death of dogs that > are enrolled > > in a training school or program for guide, signal, or service dogs, as > specified. > > Under existing law, if a defendant is convicted of either of these > crimes, the defendant > > is required to make restitution to the person with a disability who > has custody or > > ownership of the dog for any veterinary bills and replacement costs of > the dog if > > it is disabled or killed, or other reasonable costs deemed appropriate > by the court. > > This bill would require the defendant, convicted of either crime, to > also make restitution > > to the person for medical or medical-related expenses, or for loss of > wages or income, > > incurred by the person as a direct result of the crime. > > Because this bill would expand the scope and penalties of existing > crimes, it would > > impose a state-mandated local program. > > Existing law provides for the compensation of victims and derivative > victims of certain > > crimes by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims > > Board from the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, for specified > > losses suffered as a result of those crimes. Existing law authorizes > the person with > > a disability in either of the above crimes to apply for compensation > by the board > > in an amount not to exceed $10,000. > > By expanding the authorization for the use of moneys in the > continuously appropriated > > Restitution Fund, this bill would make an appropriation. > > The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local > agencies and school > > districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory > provisions establish > > procedures for making that reimbursement. > > This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act > for a specified > > reason. > > Digest Key > > Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES > > Bill Text > > The people of the State of California do enact as follows: > > SECTION 1. Section 600.2 of the Penal Code is amended to read: > > 600.2. > > (a) It is a crime for any person to permit any dog which is owned, harbored, or > > controlled by him or her to cause injury to > > , or the death of, any guide, signal, or service dog, as defined by Section 54.1 > > of the Civil > > Code, while the guide, signal, or service dog is in discharge of its duties. > > Code. > > (b) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a > > fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) if the injury or > death to any > > guide, signal, or service dog is caused by the person?s failure to > exercise ordinary > > care in the control of his or her dog. > > (c) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor if the injury or > death to any guide, > > signal, or service dog is caused by the person?s reckless disregard in > the exercise > > of control over his or her dog, under circumstances that constitute > such a departure > > from the conduct of a reasonable person as to be incompatible with a > proper regard > > for the safety and life of any guide, signal, or service dog. A > violation of this > > subdivision shall be punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not > exceeding one > > year, or by a fine of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars > ($2,500) nor > > more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both. The court shall > consider the costs > > ordered pursuant to subdivision (d) when determining the amount of any > > fines. > > (d) In any case in which a A defendant who is convicted of a violation > of this section, > > the defendant section > > shall be ordered to make restitution to the person with a disability > who has custody > > or ownership of the guide, signal, or service dog for any veterinary > bills and replacement > > costs of the dog if it is disabled or killed, > > medical or medical-related expenses incurred > > by the person with a disability as a direct result of a violation of > this section, > > loss of wages or income incurred by the person with a disability as a > direct result > > of a violation of this section, > > or other reasonable costs deemed appropriate by the court. The costs > ordered pursuant > > to this subdivision shall be paid prior to any fines. The person with > the disability > > may apply for compensation by the California Victim Compensation and > Government Claims > > Board pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 > of Division > > 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, in an amount not to exceed ten > thousand dollars > > ($10,000). > > (e) For the purpose of this section, a ?guide, signal, or service dog? > also includes > > a dog enrolled in a training school or program, located in this state, > for guide, > > signal, or service dogs. > > SEC. 2. Section 600.5 of the Penal Code is amended to read: > > 600.5. (a) Any person who intentionally causes injury to, or the death of, > > any guide, signal, or service dog, as defined by Section 54.1 of the Civil > > Code, while the dog is in discharge of its duties, Code, > > is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county > jail not exceeding > > one year, or by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), > or by both a > > fine and imprisonment. The court shall consider the costs ordered > > pursuant to subdivision (b) when determining the amount of any fines. > > (b) In any case in which a A defendant who is convicted of a violation > of this section, > > the defendant section > > shall be ordered to make restitution to the person with a disability > who has custody > > or ownership of the dog for any veterinary bills and replacement costs > of the dog > > if it is disabled or killed, > > medical or medical-related expenses incurred by the person with a disability as > > a direct result of a violation of this section, loss of wages or income incurred > > by the person with a disability as a direct result of a violation of > this section, > > or other reasonable costs deemed appropriate by the court. The costs > ordered pursuant > > to this subdivision shall be paid prior to any fines. The person with > the disability > > may apply for compensation by the California Victim Compensation and > Government Claims > > Board pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13950) of Part 4 of > > Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, in an amount not to > exceed ten thousand > > dollars ($10,000). > > (c) For the purpose of this section, a ?guide, signal, or service dog? > also includes > > a dog enrolled in a training school or program, located in this state, > for guide, > > signal, or service dogs. > > SEC. 3. > > No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII?B > > of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be > incurred by a local > > agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a > new crime or > > infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime > > or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government > Code, or changes > > the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article > XIII?B of the > > California Constitution. > > you wodaftertnoon > > > > > > -- > SHANNON L. DILLON > _______________________________________________ > Cagdu mailing list > Cagdu at nfbcal.org > https://www.nfbcal.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/cagdu From judotina48kg at gmail.com Tue Mar 8 15:02:15 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2016 15:02:15 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: [seeing-eye] Uber flirts with transit agencies across the U.S. for a share of paratransit services In-Reply-To: <014901d17987$0b8115d0$22834170$@ky2d.com> References: <014901d17987$0b8115d0$22834170$@ky2d.com> Message-ID: <3d9901d1798e$8fa02890$aee079b0$@gmail.com> Subject: [seeing-eye] Uber flirts with transit agencies across the U.S. for a share of paratransit services Uber flirts with transit agencies across the U.S. for a share of paratransit services https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/uber-flirts-with-transit-agencies-across-the-us-for-a-share-of-paratransit-services/2016/03/05/5eb8b118-d751-11e5-9823-02b905009f99_story.html The extraordinary cost of transporting the elderly and people with disabilities has Metro and transit agencies across the country eyeing Uber and other app-based ride services as alternatives. Proponents of such partnerships say they could potentially reduce costs for multimillion- dollar, heavily subsidized paratransit services. They also would help communities respond to customer demands for same-day, on-demand service that is lacking in the antiquated paratransit world. But while some customers might crave the prompt service and convenience of app-based ordering offered by Uber and similar businesses, the idea gives accessibility advocates pause. Citing Uber?s lack of ?wheelchair-accessible vehicles, for example, some advocates are puzzled by the prospect of the company getting government contracts. They say Uber and its main rival, Lyft, have not done enough to meet the needs of people with disabilities, such as those who are blind or use wheelchairs. They also question the level of training in dealing with people with special needs that drivers receive, and echo widely publicized concerns about safety, insurance coverage and the vetting process for drivers. ?Do I think that inaccessible vehicles can be used in paratransit? Sure,? said James Weisman, chief executive of the nonprofit United Spinal Association, a national critic of Uber?s inaccessible fleet. ?Do I think that we should reward people who discriminate on the basis of disability with public contracts? No, I don?t.? In Washington, New York, Boston and Chicago, officials appear to be moving in that direction, nonetheless, calling the app-based car companies a resource to improve service. Uber rides could be available to paratransit customers as soon as this summer in some cities. Transit experts and officials say expanding options and lowering cost is inevitable as the population continues to age, disability rates continue to rise and the use of paratransit services is expected to grow. They view Uber and its rivals as a creative way to meet growing needs and balance costs. ?It?s important that we can provide service that meets customer demand, but also do it in a cost- effective manner,? said Michael Lambert, deputy administrator for transit at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. ?Ultimately, this comes down to providing good customer service and ensuring that the system can remain sustainable as the population ages and demand increases.? Besides, he said, customers want the app-based services that have transformed the way people travel in recent years. In Boston, he said, paratransit customers want flexibility, same-day booking and a way to track their ride. The city?s ?T? transit system plans to launch a pilot by summer. Eventually, it comes down to lowering costs. A paratransit ride averages $29.30 in the United States, about three and a half times more expensive than the average cost of $8.15 to provide a regular fixed-route bus or rail trip, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office. In some cities, the cost is staggering: $57 in New York, $50 in the District and $30 in Boston. Growing demand In the Washington region, MetroAccess, a door-to-door paratransit service, provides about 2?million trips annually at a price tag of about $121 million ? of which more than 90 percent is paid with subsidies from the jurisdictions served by Metro. The transit agency projects that MetroAccess ? now the nation?s fifth-largest paratransit service, with 675 vehicles ? could add at least 1 million trips and more than $50 million in operating expenses in the next decade. As part of its strategy to reduce MetroAccess costs, Metro has tried new programs, such as D.C. Transport ? a partnership with the D.C. Taxi Commission that makes city taxis available to MetroAccess customers for a flat rate of $5 a trip. The city subsidizes the trips, but the cost for service is still lower than MetroAccess. ?These pilots operate at about half the cost of MetroAccess,? a recent report on the program?s efficiency concluded, urging more such partnerships to reduce costs. Metro also has been encouraging MetroAccess users to ride the bus and rail instead ? which they can do for free. It costs Metro an average of $50 to provide a MetroAccess ride, compared with $3 to $4 a passenger for bus and rail. But the fixed-route options aren?t always ideal for people with mobility problems, said Metro?Access customer Nadia Ibrahim, citing the unreliability of the system and frequent broken elevators at subway stations. After months of closed-door meetings with Uber and Lyft, Metro officials last month announced that the transit agency was seeking offers from the app-based ride services. Metro officials say the goal is to have the program in place by summer for users in the Maryland suburbs, where two-thirds of MetroAccess customers live. Under Maryland Abilities-Ride, Metro would pay up to $15 per trip to the contracting company and cover a $12 surcharge applied to trips in wheelchair- accessible vehicles. Customers would be restricted to four trips daily. [Could Metro and Uber be teaming up? ] Advocates are critical of the daily-trip limit and are concerned about those in wheelchairs, people who are visually impaired and those whose incomes preclude them from having smartphones. ?People who are poor don?t have a $900 cellphone. They don?t know anything about an app,? said Denise Rush, 64, an advocate and longtime MetroAccess rider. Because she is blind, she said, she is unable to use the smartphone apps. As a solution, Metro says it will seek a provider that can also facilitate the transportation service through a traditional phone call. The transit agency also is asking the companies to spell out their policies for vetting drivers and training them to serve people with disabilities. Metro would require service to be available to customers traveling with service animals, as well as at least 50 wheelchair-accessible vehicles to compliment the service, either as part of the fleet or through a partnership. Disability advocates say rigorous driver screening is critical, particularly after recent reports of alleged criminal behavior involving Uber drivers. [Uber defends safety procedures after Kalamazoo shootings ] Even though Metro contracts out its MetroAccess services, the Metro Transit Police department runs fingerprint and criminal background checks on all the drivers, according to Metro. And the agency?s Access Services staff has direct involvement in the service, conducting fleet inspections, monitoring service on the street and managing technology and scheduling efficiencies. Metro officials say that if the agency pursues a plan with Uber or another ride-sharing company, it would ?be prescriptive about what the background check process must entail,? Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said. [Uber screening process drew scrutiny long before Kalamazoo shootings ] Flexibility to book same-day travel would be a major improvement over MetroAccess, which requires trips to be booked 24 hours in advance. But Ibrahim says Uber and Lyft won?t help her. ?You are creating another layer of discrimination for people who use wheelchairs, because I would not be able to use that service,? said Ibrahim, 45, who recently was named Maryland?s Miss Wheelchair. She uses Metro?Access daily to get from her home in Rockville to work at the U.S. Labor Department. ?We are just asking for the same options that any resident and any employee in the D.C. area has. It?s not anything that is extraordinary,? she said. ?I have personal and professional responsibilities, in addition to navigating life, so to add six hours of my day to just travel to my doctor?s appointment and then to my job shouldn?t happen in the year 2016.? Issues of accessibility Transportation officials say Uber and Lyft won?t replace paratransit services required by the Americans With Disabilities Act. But they say it could be an option for riders who do not use wheelchairs, which in many markets represents about 75 percent of paratransit customers. Already, some agencies have been testing partnerships with taxi services, and many of the taxis also are not wheelchair- accessible. Still, the question of accessibility has been a growing problem for Uber and Lyft. Customers who use wheelchairs or service animals have complained about being denied service, and both companies face lawsuits ? in Arizona, California and Texas ? alleging that their drivers discriminate against people with disabilities. [Uber sued for allegedly refusing rides to the blind ] Uber has denied the discrimination accusations and says that because it is a technology company, not a transportation service, it is not subject to ADA requirements. Uber officials say their cars have capacity to stow a foldable wheelchair. And in some markets, Uber has partnered with providers of accessible vehicles to offer that option. Jeffrey P. Bezos, who owns The Washington Post, is an investor in Uber. Arun Sundararajan, a business professor at New York University, said the ride-sharing option could empower paratransit users, because it would give them more travel freedom. Governments can set requirements related to driver screening and accessible vehicles, he said, much like Metro is proposing. Some transit officials predict that if they provide the customers and show a growing demand, the companies will move toward building accessible fleets. Uber already has partnerships in Atlanta and Dallas, where it markets itself as a connection to transit stations. The company plans to pursue an even closer relationship here. Kaitlin Durkosh, spokeswoman for Uber in the Washington region, said the company has the drivers, the technology, and the customer support to do paratransit. And it wants to help address the rising costs and problems facing Metro. ?We think we can leverage our technology to be part of the solution,? she said. -- The Seeing Eye Independence with Dignity since 1929 If you need to contact one of the list owners for > questions or assistance, please use the following email address: seeing-eye+owner at googlegroups.com . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seeing Eye Discussions" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to seeing-eye+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com . To post to this group, send email to seeing-eye at googlegroups.com . To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/seeing-eye/014901d17987%240b8115d0%2422834170%24%40ky2d.com . For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160308/fad16cba/attachment.html From judotina48kg at gmail.com Tue Mar 8 17:24:46 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2016 17:24:46 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: CAGDU Monthly Conference call In-Reply-To: <2c6d01d17817$8bb65ba0$a32312e0$@gmail.com> References: <2c6d01d17817$8bb65ba0$a32312e0$@gmail.com> Message-ID: <3e6201d179a2$78ba8e90$6a2fabb0$@gmail.com> Subject: CAGDU Monthly Conference call Hello Everyone- CAGDU will be having our monthly conference call on Wednesday March 9 at 7:30PM. The call in information is as follows: Call in number: (605)475.4700 Pin: 405682# If there are any questions please don't hesitate to contact me. I hope to hear from all of you on Wednesday night. Also, I really appreciate all of your support on the loss of my retired Seeing Eye Dog Dixie. Tina -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160308/88e71954/attachment.html From judotina48kg at gmail.com Tue Mar 8 18:43:35 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2016 18:43:35 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: [NAGDU] Greyhound to Settle ADA Complaints In-Reply-To: <022f01d16de7$d81e4370$885aca50$@verizon.net> References: <022701d16de7$5e3d3e80$1ab7bb80$@verizon.net> <022f01d16de7$d81e4370$885aca50$@verizon.net> Message-ID: <453f01d179ad$7ae9c9a0$70bd5ce0$@gmail.com> Subject: [NAGDU] Greyhound to Settle ADA Complaints Please circulate the following message as widely as appropriate. Dear all, Greyhound has entered into a settlement agreement with the United States Department of Justice in which they will pay $300,000 in compensatory relief and $75,000 in punitive damages stemming from several ADA violations. You can read the details by visiting http://www.adasoutheast.org/news/articles.php?id=8087 Fraternally yours, Marion Gwizdala, President National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. National Federation of the Blind (813) 626-2789 (888) 624-3841 (Hotline) President at nagdu.org http://www.nagdu.org High expectations create unlimited potential for the blind! _______________________________________________ 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/judotina48kg%40gmail.com From judotina48kg at gmail.com Wed Mar 9 15:29:36 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2016 15:29:36 -0800 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: Message to our graduates in California In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <026b01d17a5b$8cb32ba0$a61982e0$@gmail.com> From: news at seeingeye.org [mailto:news at seeingeye.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2016 1:07 PM To: Christina Thomas Subject: Message to our graduates in California To our graduates in California, Usually this time of year we're jealous of you guys, but we're happy to report it is in the 70s and sunny here in Morristown! Spring has come early this year. We would like to call your attention to two proposed new laws currently under consideration in California. The first, AB1824, is a bill in the California Assembly that would expand protection for service dogs from being attacked by loose or uncontrolled dogs. Under existing California law (Sections 600.2 and 600.5 of the state Penal Code), owners of dogs that injure or kill service dogs can be charged with a crime, provided the service dog ?is in discharge of its duties? at the time of the injury or death. In addition, under the current law, the court may award the dog user restitution for veterinary bills and/or the cost of replacing the service dog. The proposed bill would: * Remove the requirement that the service dog ?is in discharge of its duties? at the time of the injury or death. * Include not just service dogs but also dogs that are being trained to be service dogs, and puppies that are being raised to be service dogs. * Expand restitution claims to include medical or medical-related expenses for the dog user, and lost wages or income incurred by the dog user, as a direct result of the incident. There is a hearing scheduled for AB1824 on March 15 at 9 a.m. in Assembly Committee Room 126 of the State Capitol building, 1301 10th Street (10th & L Streets), Sacramento. If you would like more information, go to https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB1824/2015 . To read the bill, go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/15-16/bill/asm/ab_1801-1850/ab_1824_bill_20160208_introduced.htm . The second bill, under consideration in the California Senate, is SB1331. This bill would amend the existing law concerning the jurisdiction and board membership of the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind. SB1331 would: * Allow any certified out-of-state guide dog school, including The Seeing Eye, to provide follow-up instruction to graduates of that school living in California without requiring a license from the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind. * Change the composition of the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind. Under the current law, two of the seven members of the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind must be blind or visually impaired and use guide dogs. Under the proposed bill, the number of guide dog users on the board would be increased from two to three. Additionally, of these three board members, SB1331 would require one representative from each of the two major consumer organizations representing Californians who are blind or visually impaired. In addition, the bill would require the Governor to consider recommendations from those two organizations when making appointments to the board. For more information about SB1331, go to https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/SB1331/2015 . To read the bill, go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/15-16/bill/sen/sb_1301-1350/sb_1331_bill_20160219_introduced.html . If you would like to express your opinion about either bill, contact your Assembly member (for AB1824) or Senator (for SB1331). You can find contact information for your legislators at http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/ . Thank you, Craig Garretson Manager of Communications The Seeing Eye contact The Seeing Eye P.O. Box 375 Morristown, NJ 07960-0375 (973) 539-4425 info at seeingeye.org unsubscribe social nonprofit software -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 392 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160309/b7144b68/attachment-0004.jpe From debsphilly1 at gmail.com Mon Mar 14 17:26:43 2016 From: debsphilly1 at gmail.com (Debbie Worstman) Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2016 17:26:43 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] Fwd: UPDATE - AB1824 on consent References: Message-ID: Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: > From: Theresa Stern > Date: March 14, 2016 at 4:34:44 PM PDT > Subject: FW: UPDATE - AB1824 on consent > > > > > Greetings CA GDB Grads - please see the note below from Jeff Thom, President of the California Council of the Blind regarding the hearing on AB 1824 - it appears that the bill is unopposed at this point and the committee will not be hearing testimonies tomorrow. > > ** > > AB1824, the CCB-sponsored bill to amend criminal protections against attacks on guide, signal and service dogs, has been placed on the consent calendar for tomorrow's hearing in the Assembly Public Safety Committee. > Bills are not placed on consent unless there is no opposition and a vote is taken on the consent calendar as a group, rather than as individual bills since there is no opposition to any of them. However, the result of the bill being placed on consent is that the bill is not heard by the committee and no witnesses are able to testify. The author's office and I decided that the advantages of having our bill in a position for automatic passage out of the committee outweighs even the most remote possibility that testimony could raise questions about the bill from any of the legislators. Thus, it is highly unlikely that there will be a need for anyone to attend tomorrow's hearing, although Margie and I will be there just in case some unforeseen circumstance occurs at the last moment that leads to a request that the bill be removed from consent. > > I want to express my thanks to all of you who have written in support of the bill or who were preparing to attend tomorrow's hearing. The bill has many hurdles which must be crossed for its passage, so it is likely that we will be calling upon you in the next few months. However, although you are certainly welcome to attend the hearing, it does not look as if your attendance will be necessary. > > > Jeff Thom > > President, California Council of the Blind > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160314/b3e2a1e9/attachment.html From judotina48kg at gmail.com Mon Mar 14 22:50:42 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2016 22:50:42 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] Fwd: UPDATE - AB1824 on consent In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <160601d17e7e$a431ef10$ec95cd30$@gmail.com> Thank you so much Debbie for sending this. Tina Thomas CAGDU President From: cagdu-bounces at nfbcal.org [mailto:cagdu-bounces at nfbcal.org] On Behalf Of Debbie Worstman Sent: Monday, March 14, 2016 5:27 PM To: cagdu at nfbcal.org Subject: [Cagdu] Fwd: UPDATE - AB1824 on consent Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Theresa Stern > Date: March 14, 2016 at 4:34:44 PM PDT Subject: FW: UPDATE - AB1824 on consent Greetings CA GDB Grads - please see the note below from Jeff Thom, President of the California Council of the Blind regarding the hearing on AB 1824 - it appears that the bill is unopposed at this point and the committee will not be hearing testimonies tomorrow. ** AB1824, the CCB-sponsored bill to amend criminal protections against attacks on guide, signal and service dogs, has been placed on the consent calendar for tomorrow's hearing in the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Bills are not placed on consent unless there is no opposition and a vote is taken on the consent calendar as a group, rather than as individual bills since there is no opposition to any of them. However, the result of the bill being placed on consent is that the bill is not heard by the committee and no witnesses are able to testify. The author's office and I decided that the advantages of having our bill in a position for automatic passage out of the committee outweighs even the most remote possibility that testimony could raise questions about the bill from any of the legislators. Thus, it is highly unlikely that there will be a need for anyone to attend tomorrow's hearing, although Margie and I will be there just in case some unforeseen circumstance occurs at the last moment that leads to a request that the bill be removed from consent. I want to express my thanks to all of you who have written in support of the bill or who were preparing to attend tomorrow's hearing. The bill has many hurdles which must be crossed for its passage, so it is likely that we will be calling upon you in the next few months. However, although you are certainly welcome to attend the hearing, it does not look as if your attendance will be necessary. Jeff Thom President, California Council of the Blind -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160314/bf9a9cf5/attachment.html From mike at michaelhingson.com Sun Mar 20 14:02:35 2016 From: mike at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2016 14:02:35 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] FYI FW: [NAGDU] [Njagdu] Blinded driver vs. blind pedestrians Message-ID: <002801d182eb$d4264ba0$7c72e2e0$@michaelhingson.com> [Michael Hingson] Best Regards, Michael Hingson From: Njagdu [mailto:njagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ginger Kutsch via Njagdu Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2016 6:58 AM To: New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users Cc: Ginger Kutsch Subject: [Njagdu] Blinded driver vs. blind pedestrians Blinded driver vs. blind pedestrians http://www.davisenterprise.com/forum/opinion-columns/blinded-driver-vs-blind -pedestrians/ March 18, 2016 The Davis Enterprise - Letter to the Editor By Mike May On Feb. 23 at 7:45 a.m., my wife Gena Harper and I, both blind, were clipped by a vehicle while we were walking in the crosswalk north on E Street in downtown Davis. The Toyota Highlander was heading south on E Street. It stopped at the stop sign and then made a left turn heading east on Fourth street. She turned behind us, running over my heel and knocking Gena's seeing-eye dog, Yulie, forward. My dog, Tank, was guiding well in front and suffered no physical injury, nor did Gena. I doubt it would have made a difference even if we could see unless we might have been able to dive out of the way at the last second. The driver pulled over, as did a passer-by who saw the incident. The driver explained that the sun was in her eyes and she never saw us as evidenced by the fact that she did not put on her brakes. Gena and I were halfway across the intersection when we were struck. The first part of that intersection was shaded by a building. We were in that shaded area when she started her turn and then hit us. It would take about 3 seconds from the driver's stopped position to complete the 90-degree turn. It is astounding that in that 3 seconds that she never saw two people and two dogs in clear view. The obvious question arises, if you are totally blinded by the sun, why would you take the gamble to hurtle a 5,600-pound vehicle at 10 to 15 miles per hour through the intersection? I suffered a bruised and scraped heel. Yulie was not physically hurt but was quite scared. Everyone was shaken, including the driver. I hope she learned a frightening lesson not to drive when blinded by the sun. Another lesson came out of this incident: Don't expect 911 to know your exact location when you call from a cell phone. Calls to 911 from a cell phone may be routed to one of three entities when you are calling from Davis and they cannot identify your address the way they would if you called from a landline. Thinking the operator would know I was in Davis, I said I was at Fourth and E. The CHP operator who got the call transferred me to the Sacramento Police Department. I gave my location again and included Davis in the address at which point I was transferred to the Davis Police Department and gave my address and story for a third time. It took four minutes before this round-about emergency call was finished. Good thing the situation wasn't life-threatening. The 911 system was set up in the 1970s based on landline communication with one carrier. Seventy percent of 911 calls today are from cell phones from multiple carriers. These 911 operators do not get your GPS position nor can they receive texts. The FCC reports that 10,000 people lose their lives each year related to poor 911 cell phone positioning. In retrospect, I would have used the BlueLight emergency app instead of calling 911 directly on my phone. This would have alerted my emergency contacts by text of my location while also calling 911. In some communities like Oakland, your BlueLight call is routed to local emergency services based on your exact position. Perhaps enhanced BlueLight service will come to Davis sooner than later as a lifesaving emergency app. For now, I have programmed the Davis Police Department's direct emergency number, 530-758-3600, into my iPhone. Gena and I and our guide dogs missed being seriously injured by inches. Because there are so many pedestrians and bicyclists in Davis, this incident should serve as a reminder for everyone to exercise more cautious judgment when driving, especially when the sun is in your eyes. Remember, too, if you are driving a hybrid or electric vehicle that they are very quiet at slow speeds, like starting up at an intersection or in a parking lot. Blind and sighted people alike have been struck by these quiet cars. The driver who hit us was not driving a quiet car but she was at a full stop when we stepped off the curb. Our seeing-eye dogs were doing their jobs and we clearly had the right of way. I don't believe that being blinded by the sun or any other excuse justifies hitting pedestrians in a crosswalk. - Mike May is a Davis resident. _______________________________________________ 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/cindyray%40gmail.com _______________________________________________ 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/mike%40michaelhingson.com From judotina48kg at gmail.com Sun Mar 20 17:57:06 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2016 17:57:06 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] [seeing-eye] article Pets can mask symptoms of urinary tract infections In-Reply-To: <000001d18223$9bda8270$d38f8750$@embarqmail.com> References: <000001d18223$9bda8270$d38f8750$@embarqmail.com> Message-ID: <054c01d1830c$97e0bfb0$c7a23f10$@gmail.com> standcourier.com/article/20160311/PC1209/160319962/1117 Pets can mask symptoms of urinary tract infections Mar 11 2016 12:01 am Pet Docs Columnist Pet Docs Website: http://www.postandcourier.com/section/PC120306 Email I (Perry Jameson) often see patients for urinary tract infections and only some of them are showing symptoms. It is surprising to me the number of times I have diagnosed a urinary tract infection in an asymptomatic pet. They are so good at masking symptoms and I hate to think they have been suffering when I could have helped. Pets can mask symptoms of urinary tract infections - Post and Courier www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk Pets can mask symptoms of urinary tract infections - Post and Courier I was taught by Dr. Craig Greene at the University of Georgia that urine is ?liquid gold.? I could write an entire article about the information that could be obtained from a urine sample, but I will try to focus on that which applies to infection. In humans, we complain about the burning sensation when trying to urinate or having the feeling of having to urinate and yet only being able to produce a small volume of urine. In pets, typical signs associated with a urinary tract infection are increased frequency of urination, urinating small amounts and an increased urgency. Sometimes, this is noted at home by seeing accidents in the house or seeing only small spots of urine after multiple times stopping to squat (or lift a leg). You can even see straining to urinate associated with a urinary tract infection as well as a change in the urine odor or color. These are the obvious signs and in these cases, we will typically collect a sterile urine sample and submit it for analysis and culture. In simple, first-time cases, we will occasionally treat empirically with an antibiotic for 10-14 days as this is often enough to resolve the infection. In complicated cases, the work-up and treatment is much more intense. A urinary tract infection is often labeled as ?recurrent? if there are several (three or more) in a short period of time (several months to a year). An initial evaluation of these cases involves checking the previous treatments and making sure the dose and duration was appropriate for the pet?s weight. If a urine culture has previously been performed, we also will look to see how the sample was obtained and see if any additional information can be gleaned from the urinalysis. That information includes looking at the urine pH and looking at the sediment for white and red blood cells as well as abnormal cells or crystals. In addition, we can see glucose (sugar) and protein in the urine that can indicate that an underlying disease might be present. Once we have established that previous treatments should have been effective to clear a basic infection, we will often recommend basic blood work. I know this sounds odd because you would not think that blood work has anything to do with urine, but it gives us a lot of information as to possible metabolic conditions that can predispose a pet to a urinary tract infection. Conditions commonly associated with urinary tract infections include diabetes and Cushing?s disease. Kidney disease also can be identified on blood work. We often see acute exacerbations of kidney failure in patients with previously stable kidney values if they develop an infection. Another important part of the work-up of recurrent infections is imaging. Abdominal X-rays are useful in helping rule out stones in the urinary system that can be a nidus for infection. Unfortunately, not all stones can be visualized by X-rays. Abdominal ultrasound can be used to look at the urinary tract in more detail. It can show stones in the urinary system as well as tumors or benign growths in the bladder that can be contributing to recurrent infection. Stones and masses contribute to infection by having many nooks and crannies into which bacteria can lodge. This allows for persistence of infection, even in the face of antibiotics. Tumors and growths also can result in bleeding, which creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Another sign noted on ultrasound is a thick bladder wall. This is often seen in patients with chronic urinary tract infection. Sometimes while performing an ultrasound for another reason, I find this change. It always prompts me to recommend checking a urinalysis if one has not been performed to screen for infection. Treatment of recurrent infections involves long-term antibiotics and management of any underlying predisposing condition. The choice of antibiotic is based on an initial urine culture and drug sensitivity panel. Typical treatment duration is four to six weeks. Often, we will recheck a urine sample during the course of treatment to be sure that the sample is sterile and that our therapy is effective. Additionally, we will recheck a sample after the course of the therapy to be sure that the condition has resolved. Occasionally, some infections are due to bacteria that are resistant to the normal antibiotics. In these cases, we will often run an extended spectrum antibiotic sensitivity panel. The antibiotics needed to treat these infections often have more side effects and have to be given via injection as well as carry greater expense. Additional treatments recommended with antibiotics to help clear infection can include a cranberry supplement and increasing the amount of water your pet consumes. Dietary therapy can be useful in patients who have developed stones. An observant owner can notice signs associated with a typical infection, but in some cases, even the keenest of eyes can miss subtle signs. If your pet is not acting right, seems lethargic or has diabetes or Cushing?s, a simple urinalysis might be warranted and could make the difference in their comfort. Dr. Henri Bianucci and Dr. Perry Jameson are with Veterinary Specialty Care LLC. Send questions to petdocs at postandcourier.com. you can?t count on finding joy and gratitude in every situation -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160320/893a2336/attachment.html From judotina48kg at gmail.com Thu Mar 24 17:23:34 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2016 17:23:34 -0700 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: [seeing-eye] Seeing Eye graduate - Blind Woman & guide dog unwelcome at Guilderland restaurant despite federal law In-Reply-To: <009301d18376$4d97d230$e8c77690$@ky2d.com> References: <009301d18376$4d97d230$e8c77690$@ky2d.com> Message-ID: <08a601d1862c$9201ce90$b6056bb0$@gmail.com> Subject: [seeing-eye] Seeing Eye graduate - Blind Woman & guide dog unwelcome at Guilderland restaurant despite federal law Blind woman and guide dog unwelcome at Guilderland restaurant despite federal law Blind woman says she was refused table at Hana steak house due to service animal By Steve Barnes Saturday, March 19, 2016 Albany Times Union http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Blind-woman-and-guide-dog-unwelcome-at-6924044.php Guilderland, NY -- A Latham woman who is blind said she was refused a table at Hana Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar in Guilderland because she had her guide dog, Foster, with her. "The manager kept saying, 'No dogs,' " said Mary Beth Metzger, who tried to dine at Hana with her friend Phyllis Mullaney on Jan. 28. It was the first visit for either. They chose Hana, they said, because they were driving past at lunchtime and decided they were in the mood for sushi. "The manager said, 'No dogs,' so many times, and he seated other people while basically ignoring us. It was so disrespectful," said Mullaney, who estimated she has dined without problem with Metzger and her guide dog dozens of times. Lui Cheng, who was the person who refused to seat the women, said Friday he believes patrons with service dogs should be served only in separate rooms, away from other customers. According to Metzger and Mullaney, they explained to Cheng that federal law requires restaurants and other businesses to allow legitimate service animals such as guide dogs into their facilities and to serve the owners the same as other customers. Three lawyers who happened to be behind them at the hostess stand echoed their explanation of the law. "It was so wrong for them to deny her a seat," said Cynthia LaFave, a Guilderland attorney who was at Hana with her law partners, Paul Wein and Jason Frament. She said the three "argued for a good deal of time" with Cheng, to no avail. "The manager was singularly unmoved," said Metzger, adding that in decades of living in the Capital Region she has never been refused restaurant service because of the presence of her guide dog. Foster, almost 3 years old, is her fifth guide dog. "He kept saying Foster would scare the other customers," Metzger said. "Foster wasn't doing anything ? he was just standing there like a stuffed animal." Metzger said that when the manager continued to refuse to seat them, she called Guilderland police. She said she has threatened to phone police for dog-related refusal of service "maybe two or three times" since getting her first guide dog, in 1981, but had never previously made the call. A report filed by the responding officers says Cheng denied refusing Metzger a table and said he was willing to seat her in a private room, away from other customers. Metzger and Mullaney said the offer of a table in a separate room came only after police intervened. Cheng, interviewed at Hana on Friday afternoon, confirmed that he refused to seat Metzger in the main dining area. He said it is the restaurant's policy to segregate patrons with service animals in a separate room ? "to be away from other customers," he said. The Americans with Disabilities Act "requires ... businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed," according to a federal publication about the ADA. "I wanted to sit where everyone else was sitting, and we have the right to. The law is very clear," said Metzger, who is a retired personnel director for a state agency. In the weeks that followed, Metzger said, she contacted a disability-rights attorney, who has been in touch with Hana management. The restaurant subsequently offered her a $200 gift card. She said she asked for a sign to be placed at the entrance saying that service animals are welcome, and she requested that the restaurant conduct training for its staffers on the law regarding service animals. "I don't care about a gift card," said Metzger. "It's the principle. They've really dragged their feet on the two things I asked for." The attorney acting on Metzger's behalf confirmed her account to the Times Union but requested not to be identified because the matter is ongoing. Metzger said her attorney provided a sign about service animals to Hana. As of Friday, there was no such sign visible at the restaurant. Metzger said she offered to conduct staff training herself, for free, or to provided another suitable trainer but was rebuffed. She said she was at first reluctant to contact the Times Union about the matter, but, "It's been almost two months. This seems so simple, and it's absolutely clear: They were wrong. A quick apology, a sign, a training session for the staff, and it would have all been taken care of quietly. Instead all this time goes by and other blind people with their dogs could still be being turned away at the door. That's just not right." -- The Seeing Eye Independence with Dignity since 1929 If you need to contact one of the list owners for > questions or assistance, please use the following email address: seeing-eye+owner at googlegroups.com . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seeing Eye Discussions" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to seeing-eye+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com . To post to this group, send email to seeing-eye at googlegroups.com . To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/seeing-eye/009301d18376%244d97d230%24e8c77690%24%40ky2d.com . For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160324/44d1f142/attachment.html From judotina48kg at gmail.com Fri Mar 18 11:05:31 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2016 18:05:31 -0000 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: Public Meeting Notice - California State Board of Guide Dogs For theBlind - Practice Task Force In-Reply-To: <66A1A4835D29C34B951CF1A2DC384951188CCE60@057-SN2MPN1-003.057d.mgd.msft.net> References: <66A1A4835D29C34B951CF1A2DC384951188CCE60@057-SN2MPN1-003.057d.mgd.msft.net> Message-ID: <039b01d18140$b097e650$11c7b2f0$@gmail.com> Subject: Public Meeting Notice - California State Board of Guide Dogs For theBlind - Practice Task Force Attached and below is the agenda for the Practice Task Force Meeting on Monday, March 28 at 1:30pm. Additional meeting materials will be emailed and posted on the Board's website next week. Please let me know if you have any questions, Brian Skewis California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind Office: 916-574-7825 Email: brian.skewis at dca.ca.gov Practice Task Force Meeting Monday, March 28, 2016 1:30 p.m. - Completion of Business Teleconference Phone Number: 1-866-692-3158 Participant Code: 99686782 One or more Committee Members will participate in this meeting at the teleconference sites listed below. Each teleconference location is accessible to the public and the public will be given an opportunity to address the Committee at each teleconference location. The public teleconference sites for this meeting are as follows: Department of Consumer Affairs 1625 N. Market Blvd N-112 Sacramento, CA 95834 1921 Bella Coola Dr South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 6043 Ralston Ave Richmond, CA 94805 32901 SE Kelso Rd - Administration Building Boring, OR 97009 60740 Dillon Rd Whitewater, CA 92263 13445 Glenoaks Blvd Sylmar, CA 91342 Practice Task Force Members Carmen Delgado, Vice President Don Brown Amy Gunn Bob Wendler Yvonne Martin Executive Officer Brian Skewis Legal Counsel Shela Barker AGENDA 1. Call to Order/Roll Call /Establishment of a quorum 2. Election of Practice Task Force Chairperson 3. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Board regarding a fact sheet outlining the Board's Arbitration program and authority 4. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Board regarding a temporary follow-up instruction permit through legislation and regulation 5. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda CLOSED SESSION 6. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Board regarding the preparation, approval, grading, and/or administration of the Board's licensing examination - The Committee will meet in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(c)(1). OPEN SESSION 7. Discussion regarding frequency of Practice Task Force meetings and 2016 meeting schedule 8. Agenda Items for Next Meeting 9. Adjournment Action may be taken on any item on the agenda. Agenda items may be taken out of order. Meetings of the Practice Task Force created by the Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind are open to the public except when specifically noticed otherwise in accordance with the Open Meeting Act. The meeting is accessible to the physically disabled. A person who needs a disability-related accommodation or modification in order to participate in the meeting may make a request by contacting Brian Skewis at (916) 574-7825 or by e-mail at Brian.Skewis at dca.ca.gov or send a request to 1625 N. Market Blvd., Suite N-112, Sacramento, CA 95834. Providing your request at least five (5) business days before the meeting will help ensure availability of the requested accommodation. Please be advised that while the Board makes every effort to make meetings accessible by telephone, it is limited by technical capabilities and technical difficulties cannot always be prevented. The best way to ensure participation in a meeting is to attend in person. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160318/4977c02b/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Agenda - 3-28-16 - PTF.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 199486 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160318/4977c02b/attachment.bin From judotina48kg at gmail.com Thu Mar 24 15:04:37 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2016 22:04:37 -0000 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: Public Meeting Notice - California State Board of Guide Dogs For the Blind - April 4, 2016 In-Reply-To: <66A1A4835D29C34B951CF1A2DC384951188D2316@057-SN2MPN1-002.057d.mgd.msft.net> References: <66A1A4835D29C34B951CF1A2DC384951188D2316@057-SN2MPN1-002.057d.mgd.msft.net> Message-ID: <00bc01d18619$1bf090f0$53d1b2d0$@gmail.com> From: Guidedogboard at DCA [mailto:Guidedogboard at dca.ca.gov] Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2016 10:54 AM To: Undisclosed recipients: Subject: Public Meeting Notice - California State Board of Guide Dogs For the Blind - April 4, 2016 Attached and below is the agenda for the California Guide Dog Board Meeting on Monday, April 4 at 1:30pm. Additional meeting materials will be emailed and posted on the Board's website next week. Please let me know if you have any questions, Brian Skewis California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind Office: 916-574-7825 Email: brian.skewis at dca.ca.gov California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind Notice of Public Board Meeting Monday, April 4, 2016 1:30 p.m. - Completion of Business Teleconference Phone Number: 1-866-692-3158 Participant Code: 99686782 One or more Board Members will participate in this meeting at the teleconference sites listed below. Each teleconference location is accessible to the public and the public will be given an opportunity to address the Board at each teleconference location. The public teleconference sites for this meeting are as follows: 820 Mission Ave #12 San Rafael, CA 94901 1921 Bella Coola Dr South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 Department of Rehabilitation 721 Capitol Mall Room 423 Sacramento, CA 95814 6043 Ralston Ave Richmond, CA 94805 2304 Loma Prieta Rd Menlo Park, CA 94025 Maguire Thomas Partners Gas Tower 555 W. Fifth Street Floor 20, # 20-083 Los Angeles, CA 90013 Additional Location with Public Access Department of Consumer Affairs - San Francisco Room 1625 N. Market Blvd N-318 Sacramento, CA 95834 Board Members Eric Holm, President Carmen Delgado, Vice President Don Brown Catherine Carlton Rosa Gomez Gwen Marelli Joan Patche Executive Officer Brian Skewis Legal Counsel Shela Barker AGENDA 1. Call to Order/President's Welcome 2. Roll Call/Establishment of a Quorum 3. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Senate Bill 1331 (Pavley) 4. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Assembly Bill 1824 (Chang) 5. Practice Task Force Update and Consideration of Recommendations Regarding: a. a fact sheet outlining the Board's Arbitration program and authority b. The creation of a temporary follow-up instruction permit through legislation and regulation CLOSED SESSION c. The Board will meet in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(c)(1) to consider recommendations related to the preparation, approval, and administration of its licensing examination OPEN SESSION 6. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda 7. Adjournment Action may be taken on any item on the agenda. Agenda items may be taken out of order. Meetings of the Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind are open to the public except when specifically noticed otherwise in accordance with the Open Meeting Act. The meeting is accessible to the physically disabled. A person who needs a disability-related accommodation or modification in order to participate in the meeting may make a request by contacting Brian Skewis at (916) 574-7825 or by e-mail at Brian.Skewis at dca.ca.gov or send a request to 1625 N. Market Blvd., Suite N-112, Sacramento, CA 95834. Providing your request at least five (5) business days before the meeting will help ensure availability of the requested accommodation. Please be advised that while the Board makes every effort to make meetings accessible by telephone, it is limited by technical capabilities and technical difficulties cannot always be prevented. The best way to ensure participation in a meeting is to attend in person. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160324/a000c144/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Agenda - 4-4-16 - Board Meeting.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 199122 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://nfbcal.org/pipermail/cagdu/attachments/20160324/a000c144/attachment.bin From judotina48kg at gmail.com Thu Mar 24 17:10:30 2016 From: judotina48kg at gmail.com (Tina Thomas) Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2016 00:10:30 -0000 Subject: [Cagdu] FW: Public Meeting Notice - California State Board of Guide Dogs For theBlind - Practice Task Force In-Reply-To: <66A1A4835D29C34B951CF1A2DC384951188D11D5@057-SN2MPN1-002.057d.mgd.msft.net> References: <66A1A4835D29C34B951CF1A2DC384951188CCE60@057-SN2MPN1-003.057d.mgd.msft.net> <66A1A4835D29C34B951CF1A2DC384951188D11D5@057-SN2MPN1-002.057d.mgd.msft.net> Message-ID: <038e01d1862a$930c2490$b9246db0$@gmail.com> From: Guidedogboard at DCA [mailto:Guidedogboard at dca.ca.gov] Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2016 10:56 AM To: Undisclosed recipients: Subject: RE: Public Meeting Notice - California State Board of Guide Dogs For theBlind - Practice Task Force Hello, Attached and below are meeting materials for the Practice Task Force Meeting on Monday, March 28 at 1:30pm. Please let me know if you have any questions, Brian Skewis Executive Officer California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind Phone: 916-574-7826 Fax: 916-574-7829 Email: guidedogboard at dca.ca.gov Web: www.guidedogboard.ca.gov TEMPORARY FOLLOW-UP INSTRUCTION PERMIT DRAFT LANGUAGE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE AMENDMENTS AND ADOPTIONS 7200.5. The board shall have exclusive authority in this state to issue licenses and temporary follow-up permits for the instruction of persons who are blind or visually impaired in the use of guide dogs and for the training of guide dogs for use by persons who are blind or visually impaired. It shall also have exclusive authority in this state to issue licenses to operate schools for the training of guide dogs and the instruction of persons who are blind or visually impaired in the use of guide dogs. 7209. A person to be eligible for examination as an instructor must (a) have a knowledge of the special problems of persons who are blind or visually impaired and how to teach them, (b) be able to demonstrate by actual blindfold test under traffic conditions his or her ability to train guide dogs with whom persons who are blind or visually impaired would be safe, (c) be suited temperamentally and otherwise to instruct persons who are blind or visually impaired in the use of guide dogs, and (d) have had at least three years' actual experience, comprising such number of hours as the board may require, as an instructor, and have handled 22 person-dog units; or its equivalent, as determined by the board, as an apprentice under a licensed instructor or under an instructor in a school satisfactory to the board. 7209.5 A person to be eligible for a Temporary Follow-up Permit must (a) [PTF to set experience requirement] 7210. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, give, hire or furnish under any other arrangement, any guide dog or to engage in the business or occupation of training a guide dog unless he or she holds a valid and unimpaired license or temporary follow-up permit issued pursuant to this chapter. 7210.7. Schools and instructors licensed by the board may provide home training and follow-up instruction in the use of guide dogs. Schools and instructors providing home training in the use of guide dogs shall, annually, provide the board with the names and addresses of those persons who are receiving home training and shall include those persons who have received home training from the school or instructor subsequent to the last report filed with the board. 7211. (a) Each applicant for an instructor's license shall file an application with the board at least 10 days before the date fixed for examination, and shall pay to the board at the time of filing an application the sum of two hundred fifty dollars ($250). No license shall be granted until the applicant has satisfactorily completed the examination prescribed by the board and has shown that he or she is equipped by a school or by equivalent facilities satisfactory to the board. An annual fee of one hundred dollars ($100) shall be required for the renewal of a license. (b) Each applicant for a temporary follow-up permit shall file an application with the board at least 10 days before the date services shall be provided, and shall pay to the board at the time of filing an application a sum of twenty five dollars ($25). (c) All fees received under this chapter shall be deposited in the Guide Dogs for the Blind Fund. 7211.2. A plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere is deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of this article. The board may order the license or temporary follow-up permit suspended or revoked, or may decline to issue a license or temporary follow-up permit, when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under the provisions of Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code allowing such person to withdraw his or her plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment. 7211.9. The board may suspend or revoke a license or temporary permit issued under this chapter if it determines that the licensee or its manager or responsible directing officer has: (a) Made any false statements or given any false information in connection with an application for a license or a renewal or reinstatement thereof. (b) Violated any provision of this chapter. (c) Violated any rule of the board adopted pursuant to the authority contained in this chapter. (d) Been convicted of a felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude, or has been convicted of any offense involving cruelty to animals. The record of conviction, or a certified copy thereof, shall be conclusive evidence of such conviction. (e) Committed any act which would be grounds for denial of a license. 7212. The proceedings for the revocation or suspension of a license or temporary follow-up permit shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the board shall have all the powers granted therein. 7216. The board may refuse to issue a license or temporary follow-up permit to a school or instructor if the applicant, if an individual, or any officer or partner, if the applicant is other than an individual, has committed any act or crime constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480. Proceedings under this section shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the board shall have all of the powers granted therein. CCR AMENDMENTS AND ADOPTIONS FOR TEMPORARY INSTRUCTOR PERMIT ? 2252. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, (a) The term ?Board? means California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind; (b) The term ?Code? means, unless otherwise designated, Business and Professions Code. (c) The term ?guide dog? means a dog being trained or that has completed training to provide mobility assistance to a blind person. (d) The term ?client? means a student who is receiving instruction, a blind person who has completed instruction, or a graduate who has completed instruction from a guide dog school or instructor licensed by the Board. (e) The term ?guide dog team? is the man-dog unit or person-dog unit as discussed in the Code. (f) The term ?apprentice? means anyone that works for a licensed guide dog school that meets the standards as set forth by sections 2260 and 2266. (g) The term ?instruction? means to demonstrate or explain, in-person, the techniques used to train or handle a guide dog.Instruction includes follow-up instruction with a client. (h) the term ?follow-up instruction? means in-person training or consultation that takes place between an instructor and a guide dog team after an initial training period has been successfully completed. Follow-up instruction requires either a license or temporary permit from the Board. 16 CCR ? 2259. Applications. (a) An application for a license or temporary follow-up permit shall be submitted on an application form prescribed and provided by the Board, accompanied by such evidence, statement, or documents as therein required, and filed with the Board at its office in Sacramento. (b) Whenever an applicant for a license or temporary follow-up permit refuses or fails to provide the board with the information requested thereon by the Board within six (6) months from the date of notice that such application is incomplete, the application shall be deemed abandoned. An application so abandoned may not be reinstated; however, the applicant may file a new application accompanied by the required fee and documents. Note: Authority cited: Section 7208, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 7208, Business and Professions Code. ? 2260. Completion of Requirements for License as Instructor. (a) If an applicant for an instructor's license or temporary follow-up permit verifies training 22 guide dog teams but does not have the required three years actual experience as an instructor, any experience as an apprentice may be credited towards the required three years actual experience as an instructor. The experience as an apprentice must be under the supervision of a licensed instructor or instructor that meets standards equivalent to an instructor licensed by the Board, as determined by the Board. Such experience as an apprentice shall include training dogs in all aspects required by sections 2266 and 2282. (b) Any experience as an instructor or apprentice that is being used to fulfill the required three years actual experience as an instructor, must be full-time experience. ?Full time? means an average of 32 hours per week. (c) The applicant must submit verification to the Board that his experience meets the requirements of this section. The verification must come from an individual in a supervisory position from the guide dog school where the experience was obtained. The verification must state that the applicant has met the requirements as specified in this section. Note: Authority cited: Sections 7208 and 7209, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 7208 and 7209, Business and Professions Code. ? 2261. Completion of Requirements for Temporary Follow-up Instructor Permit. [PTF to set requirements] ? 2262. License Period. (a) A school license expires on April 30th of each calendar year, and unless renewed by the date of expiration shall be automatically forfeited and may be reinstated or renewed only after payment of the renewal fee. (b) An instructor's license shall remain in effect for one year after the date of issuance, and unless renewed at the termination of the year, shall be automatically forfeited and may be reinstated or renewed only after compliance with the requirements of the Board. (c) A temporary follow-up permit shall remain in effect for seven (7) calendar days and apply only to the instructor and client stated on the application. Temporary follow-up permits are nonrenewable. Note: Authority cited: Sections 7200.5 and 7208, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 7200.7, 7211, 7211.1 and 7217, Business and Professions Code. ? 2263. License Not Transferable. A license or temporary follow-up permit shall not be transferable. 16 CCR ? 2265. Temporary Instructor's Permit. Upon a showing satisfactory to the Board that an emergency exists, the Board may issue a temporary instructor's permit to a qualified apprentice instructor at a school which, for any reason whatsoever, ceases to have a licensed instructor in charge of its training and instruction programs provided, however: (a) The school will immediately notify the board of the existence of the emergency, show necessity for relief, and request that a qualified apprentice be granted a temporary trainer's permit. (b) The apprentice named will file his application within such time that the board may arrange for his examination within ten (10) days of the incidence of the emergency. (c) To qualify for a temporary permit the apprentice shall have had at least eighteen (18) months' experience as an instructor and have handled eleven (11) person/dog units, or its equivalent as an apprentice under a qualified instructor as determined by the Board. (d) Upon satisfactory completion of the examination, which will be the same as that for a license as instructor the Board may issue a temporary instructor's permit for such period as it may determine to be essential and advisable but in no event to exceed sixty (60) days. (e) An emergency, for the purposes of this section, is not deemed to exist where merely preliminary training of dogs is involved. Note: Authority cited: Sections 7208 and 7214, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 7214, Business and Professions Code. 16 CCR ? 2265.1. Temporary Follow-Up Permit. In instances where a school physically located outside of California needs to provide follow-up instruction to a guide dog team residing in the State, the Board may issue a temporary follow-up permit to an instructor employed by the school to ensure that the team receives the instruction necessary to maintain safe and effective mobility. In order to be eligible for a temporary follow-up permit, the applicant must: (1) meet all requirements as specified in section 7209.5 of the Code and section 2261 of this Division. (2) be employed by a guide dog school physically located outside the State of California. ? 2269. Charitable Solicitations. A licensee or permit holder shall not make any representation or other type of charitable solicitation which misleads, deceives or has a tendency to mislead or deceive the public. Nor may a licensee obtain charitable contributions by fraud or misrepresentation. ? 2284. Instructor - When License Required. Anyone instructing a blind person in the use of a guide dog must be licensed or permitted by the Board, provided, however, that a school may employ apprentices to assist in such instruction. No apprentice shall act as an instructor except under the supervision of a licensed instructor. Note: Authority cited: Business and Professions Code, Section 7208. Reference: Business and Professions Code, Sections 7208 and 7210. ? 2285. Ethical Standards of Practice for a Guide Dog Instructor or Guide Dog School. A violation of any ethical standard of practice constitutes grounds for disciplinary action. Every person or entity that holds a license or permit issued by the Board shall comply with the following ethical standards of practice: (a) A licensee or permit holder may not release any personal or identifying information regarding a client to any person, other than the Board or its staff, without the client's written permission, unless otherwise allowed by local, state, or federal regulations. A licensee shall obtain written permission from the client before the client is photographed or tape-recorded for examination or other purposes. (b) A licensee or permit holder shall comply with the Guide Dog Act, the California Code of Regulations, and all other related local, state, and federal laws. (c) A guide dog instructor shall not engage in intimidation or coercion of clients, or physical violence or threat of violence to such persons, in a manner contrary to the best interests of guide dog usage. (d) A guide dog instructor shall provide each client with all services generally associated with or offered by the school and with those services required by the Code or regulations. (e) A guide dog instructor shall comply with state and federal laws pertaining to non-discrimination. (f) A guide dog instructor shall take reasonable precautions to avoid imposing or inflicting harm upon the client or to his or her property. (1) A guide dog instructor shall not exploit clients in any manner. (2) A guide dog instructor shall avoid relationships or activities that interfere with professional judgment and objectivity. (g) A guide dog instructor shall collaborate with clients in setting goals and expectations throughout the training process. Decisions regarding continuing or discontinuing instruction will be made with the client and will be based upon evaluation of the client's needs, abilities, and skills. (h) A guide dog instructor shall fully inform the client of the nature, risks, and potential outcomes of the training and use of a guide dog. (1) A guide dog instructor shall not make any false, fraudulent, or deceptive statements or claims. (2) A guide dog instructor shall provide information or materials regarding the training and use of guide dogs in large print, braille, or electronic format as deemed accessible by the client. (i) A guide dog school shall obtain written permission from clients involved in outreach, education, or fundraising activities and shall retain such permission in the client's record. A guide dog school shall respect the client's right to refuse involvement in outreach, education, or fundraising activities. Note: Authority cited: Section 7208, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 7208 and 7211.9, Business and Professions Code. ? 2290. Substantial Relationship Criteria. For the purposes of denial, suspension or revocation of a license or permit pursuant to Division 1.5 (commencing with Section 475) of the Code, a crime or act shall be considered to be substantially related to the qualifications, functions and duties of a guide dog school operator or instructor of blind persons in use of guide dogs if to a substantial degree it evidences present or potential unfitness of a guide dog school operator or instructor of blind persons in use of guide dogs to perform the functions authorized by his or her license in a manner consistent with the public health, safety or welfare. Such crimes or acts include but are not limited to those involving the following: (a) Any violation of any of the provisions of Chapter 9.5, Division 2 of the Code; (b) Any act or crime involving cruelty to animals. Note: Authority cited: Sections 481 and 7208, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 481, 7211.9 and 7216, Business and Professions Code. ? 2291. Rehabilitation Criteria. (a) When considering denial of a license or permit under Section 480 of the Code, the board, in evaluating the rehabilitation of the applicant and his or her present eligibility for a license or permit, will consider the following criteria: (1) The nature and severity of the act(s) or crime(s) under consideration as grounds for denial. (2) Evidence of any act(s) committed subsequent to the act(s) or crime(s) under consideration as grounds for denial which also could be considered as grounds for denial under Section 480 of the Code. (3) The time that has elapsed since commission of the act(s) or crime(s) referred to in subdivision (1) or (2). (4) The extent to which the applicant has complied with any terms of parole, probation, restitution, or any other sanctions lawfully imposed against the applicant. (5) Evidence, if any, of rehabilitation submitted by the applicant. (b) When considering the suspension or revocation of a license or permit on the ground that a guide dog school operator or instructor of blind persons in the use of guide dogs has been convicted of a crime, the Board, in evaluating the rehabilitation of such person and his or her eligibility for a license will consider the following criteria: (1) Nature and severity of the act(s) or offense(s). (2) Total criminal record. (3) The time that has elapsed since commission of the act(s) or offense(s). (4) Whether the licensee or permit holder has complied with any terms of parole, probation, restitution or any other sanctions lawfully imposed against the licensee. (5) If applicable, evidence of expungement proceedings pursuant to Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code. (6) Evidence, if any, of rehabilitation submitted by the licensee or permit holder. (c) When considering a petition for reinstatement of a license under Section 11522 of the Government Code, the Board shall evaluate evidence of rehabilitation submitted by the petitioner, considering those criteria of rehabilitation specified in subsection (b). Note: Authority cited: Sections 482 and 7208, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 482, 7211.9 and 7216, Business and Professions Code. ? 2295. Issuance of Citations and Fines. (a) The Executive Officer of the Board or his designee may issue a citation containing an order to pay a fine between $100 and $5,000 and an order of abatement against a licensee or permit holder for any violation of the Guide Dog Act or the California Code of Regulations or any laws governing the guide dog schools or guide dog instructors. A citation may be issued without the assessment of a fine, when determined by the Executive Officer or his designee. (b) Each citation shall be in writing and shall describe with particularity the nature and facts of each violation specified in the citation, including a reference to the law or regulation alleged to have been violated. (c) The citation shall be served upon the cited person either personally or by certified United States mail. Note: Authority cited: Sections 125.9, 148 and 7200.1, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 125.9, 148, 7209.5, 7210, 7210.5 and 7213, Business and Professions Code. ? 2295.2. Contested Citations. (a) The citation shall inform the licensee or permit holder that if he desires a hearing to contest the finding of a violation, that hearing shall be requested by written notice to the board within 30 calendar days of the date of issuance of the citation. Hearings shall be held pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. (b) In addition to requesting a hearing provided for in subdivision (a) of this section, the cited person may, within 14 calendar days after service of the citation, submit a written request for an informal conference with the Executive Officer. (c) The Executive Officer or his designee shall, within 30 calendar days from receipt of the written request, hold an informal conference with the person cited and/or his legal counsel or authorized representative. (d) The Executive Officer or his designee may affirm, modify or dismiss the citation, at the conclusion of the informal conference. A written decision stating the reasons for the decision shall be mailed to the cited person and his legal counsel, if any, within 14 calendar days from the date of the informal conference. This decision shall be deemed to be a final order with regard to the citation issued. (e) If the citation is dismissed, the request for a hearing shall be deemed withdrawn. If the citation is affirmed or modified, the cited person may, in his discretion, withdraw the request for a hearing or proceed with the administrative hearing process. Note: Authority cited: Sections 125.9 and 148, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 125.9, 148, 7209.5, 7210, 7210.5 and 7213, Business and Professions Code. California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind?s Arbitration Program What is the Arbitration Program? The California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind (Board) is required, by law, to offer arbitration assistance to guide dog user (user) graduates of California guide dog schools (school) regarding a school?s decision to discontinue use or to reclaim custody of a guide dog (dog). The Arbitration Program is designed to provide resolution to users with disputes that involve continued use of a dog, or the actual physical custody of a dog where the user is not the unconditional legal owner of the dog (i.e. the school retains title of the dog). Users who are dissatisfied with a school?s decision to discontinue use or to reclaim custody of a dog may appeal to the Board to convene an arbitration panel. How does it work? An arbitration panel will consist of at least one representative for each the school and the user as well as a representative of the Board to coordinate the meeting and serve as the chair. Additional representatives, witnesses, etc. may be requested by the Board. The arbitration panel will meet in closed session to hear the issue. Once both party?s presentations have been heard, the arbitration panel will issue a decision, in writing, to the parties involved within 10 calendar days. The panel?s decision is final and both parties must waive any subsequent judicial review prior to beginning the arbitration process. Who can seek arbitration? Users who are not the unconditional owner of the dog and have received notice from a school that their dog can no longer continue to work as a guide dog, or that the school is reclaiming physical custody of the dog, may seek arbitration from the Board. How to seek arbitration? A user will receive written notice from a school when a decision has been made to reclaim physical custody or to discontinue use of a dog. This notice must include information about the Board?s Arbitration Program and must come through a service where delivery to the user can be confirmed by the school. If a user wishes to seek arbitration, they must submit a written and signed request to the Board, and send a copy to the school, within 30 days of the receipt of notice from the school. All of the arbitration panel?s hearings, investigations, and decisions will be concluded within 45 calendar days of receipt of a user?s written request for arbitration. The Board will make every effort to minimize costs for all parties involved as all parties are required to bear their own costs for arbitration. Resources http://www.guidedogboard.ca.gov/about/lawsregs/index.shtml Applicable Code Sections Business and Professions Code Section 7215.6 California Code of Regulations Title 16, Division 22, Sections 2293-2294 Text of Law (Business and Professions Code Section 7215.6) 7215.6. (a) In order to provide a procedure for the resolution of disputes between guide dog users and guide dog schools relating to the continued physical custody and use of a guide dog, in all cases except those in which the dog user is the unconditional legal owner of the dog, the following arbitration procedure shall be established as a pilot project. (b) This procedure establishes an arbitration panel for the settlement of disputes between a guide dog user and a licensed guide dog school regarding the continued use of a guide dog by the user in all cases except those in which the dog user is the unconditional legal owner of the dog. The disputes that may be subject to this procedure concern differences between the user and school over whether or not a guide dog should continue to be used, differences between the user and school regarding the treatment of a dog by the user, and differences over whether or not a user should continue to have custody of a dog pending investigation of charges of abuse. It specifically does not address issues such as admissions to schools, training practices, or other issues relating to school standards. The board and its representative are not parties to any dispute described in this section. (c) The licensed guide dog schools in California and the board shall provide to guide dog users graduating from guide dog programs in these schools a new avenue for the resolution of disputes that involve continued use of a guide dog, or the actual physical custody of a guide dog. Guide dog users who are dissatisfied with decisions of schools regarding continued use of guide dogs may appeal to the board to convene an arbitration panel composed of all of the following: (1) One person designated by the guide dog user. (2) One person designated by the licensed guide dog school. (3) A representative of the board who shall coordinate the activities of the panel and serve as chair. (d) If the guide dog user or guide dog school wishes to utilize the arbitration panel, this must be stated in writing to the board. The findings and decision of the arbitration panel shall be final and binding. By voluntarily agreeing to having a dispute resolved by the arbitration panel and subject to its procedures, each party to the dispute shall waive any right for subsequent judicial review. (e) (1) A licensed guide dog school that fails to comply with any provision of this section shall automatically be subject to a penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per day for each day in which a violation occurs. The penalty shall be paid to the board. The license of a guide dog school shall not be renewed until all penalties have been paid. (2) The penalty shall be assessed without advance hearing, but the licensee may apply to the board for a hearing on the issue of whether the penalty should be modified or set aside. This application shall be in writing and shall be received by the board within 30 days after service of notice of the penalty. Upon receipt of this written request, the board shall set the matter for hearing within 60 days. (f) As a general rule, custody of the guide dog shall remain with the guide dog user pending a resolution by the arbitration panel. In circumstances where the immediate health and safety of the guide dog user or guide dog is threatened, the licensed school may take custody of the dog at once. However, if the dog is removed from the user's custody without the user's concurrence, the school shall provide to the board the evidence that caused this action to be taken at once and without fail; and within five calendar days a special committee of two members of the board shall make a determination regarding custody of the dog pending hearing by the arbitration panel. (g) (1) The arbitration panel shall decide the best means to determine final resolution in each case. This shall include, but is not limited to, a hearing of the matter before the arbitration panel at the request of either party to the dispute, an opportunity for each party in the dispute to make presentations before the arbitration panel, examination of the written record, or any other inquiry as will best reveal the facts of the disputes. In any case, the panel shall make its findings and complete its examination within 45 calendar days of the date of filing the request for arbitration, and a decision shall be rendered within 10 calendar days of the examination. (2) All arbitration hearings shall be held at sites convenient to the parties and with a view to minimizing costs. Each party to the arbitration shall bear its own costs, except that the arbitration panel, by unanimous agreement, may modify this arrangement. (h) The board may study the effectiveness of the arbitration panel pilot project in expediting resolution and reducing conflict in disputes between guide dog users and guide dog schools and may share its findings with the Legislature upon request. (i) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date. Text of Law (California Code of Regulations Title 16, Division 22, Sections 2293-2294) 2293. School Requirements Regarding Continued Use of a Guide Dog. (a) Except for circumstances described in Business and Professions Code section 7215.6(f), whenever a school retains title to a trained guide dog and decides not to permit the continued use of the dog by its user, the school shall do all of the following: (1) Issue a written letter of intent to the user that the school intends not to permit continued use of the dog. (2) Provide the user a copy of the law and regulations pertaining to the arbitration provisions of Chapter 9.5 of Division 3 of the Code (commencing with section 7215.6). (3) Provide the user with a record of the Board's name, physical address, web site address, and telephone number. (4) The items described above shall be provided to the user by personal delivery, by first class mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested, or substantially similar means designed to ensure actual notice to the user as determined by the Board in its discretion. (b) The requirements of subsection (a) shall be performed within 30 calendar days of the school decision not to permit the user's continued use of the dog. (c) A user may waive his or her rights to notice and arbitration under subsection (a). To be valid, the waiver must be in writing, signed by the user and executed either after the user has been informed of the school's intent not to permit continued use of the dog or after the dog has been out of the user's physical custody for 30 calendar days. 2294. Arbitration Requirements. To utilize the arbitration panel provided for in Code section 7215.6, the following requirements must be met: (a) A school or user requesting arbitration shall submit a written request to the Board at its office, with the requestor's original signature, which contains the following information: (1) The name, address, and phone number of the school; (2) The name, address, and phone number of the user; (3) The name of the dog which is the subject of the dispute; and (4) An explanation of the nature of the dispute between the school and user. (b) The requestor shall simultaneously submit a copy of the request to the other party to the dispute. (c) A request for arbitration shall be postmarked within 30 calendar days of receipt of the school's letter of intent to not permit continued use of the guide dog by its user. For purposes of this subsection, receipt is the day the letter of intent was actually received by the user or, if actual receipt cannot be determined, 10 calendar days after it was mailed. From: Guidedogboard at DCA Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2016 10:38 AM Subject: Public Meeting Notice - California State Board of Guide Dogs For theBlind - Practice Task Force Attached and below is the agenda for the Practice Task Force Meeting on Monday, March 28 at 1:30pm. Additional meeting materials will be emailed and posted on the Board?s website next week. Please let me know if you have any questions, Brian Skewis California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind Office: 916-574-7825 Email: brian.skewis at dca.ca.gov Practice Task Force Meeting Monday, March 28, 2016 1:30 p.m. ? Completion of Business Teleconference Phone Number: 1-866-692-3158 Participant Code: 99686782 One or more Committee Members will participate in this meeting at the teleconference sites listed below. Each teleconference location is accessible to the public and the public will be given an opportunity to address the Committee at each teleconference location. The public teleconference sites for this meeting are as follows: Department of Consumer Affairs 1625 N. Market Blvd N-112 Sacramento, CA 95834 1921 Bella Coola Dr South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 6043 Ralston Ave Richmond, CA 94805 32901 SE Kelso Rd ? Administration Building Boring, OR 97009 60740 Dillon Rd Whitewater, CA 92263 13445 Glenoaks Blvd Sylmar, CA 91342 Practice Task Force Members Carmen Delgado, Vice President Don Brown Amy Gunn Bob Wendler Yvonne Martin Executive Officer Brian Skewis Legal Counsel Shela Barker AGENDA 1. Call to Order/Roll Call /Establishment of a quorum 2. Election of Practice Task Force Chairperson 3. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Board regarding a fact sheet outlining the Board?s Arbitration program and authority 4. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Board regarding a temporary follow-up instruction permit through legislation and regulation 5. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda CLOSED SESSION 6. Discussion and possible recommendation to the Board regarding the preparation, approval, grading, and/or administration of the Board?s licensing examination - The Committee will meet in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(c)(1). OPEN SESSION 7. Discussion regarding frequency of Practice Task Force meetings and 2016 meeting schedule 8. Agenda Items for Next Meeting 9. Adjournment Action may be taken on any item on the agenda. Agenda items may be taken out of order. Meetings of the Practice Task Force created by the Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind are open to the public except when specifically noticed otherwise in accordance with the Open Meeting Act. The meeting is accessible to the physically disabled. A person who needs a disability-related accommodation or modification in order to participate in the meeting may make a request by contacting Brian Skewis at (916) 574-7825 or by e-mail at Brian.Skewis at dca.ca.gov or send a request to 1625 N. Market Blvd., Suite N-112, Sacramento, CA 95834. Providing your request at least five (5) business days before the meeting will help ensure availability of the requested accommodation. Please be advised that while the Board makes every effort to make meetings accessible by telephone, it is limited by technical capabilities and technical difficulties cannot always be prevented. 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