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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Hello CAGDU
Community:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The seminar was a huge success! Here is what we
accomplished:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> *WE Educated a few folks.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>* We discussed our concerns with the transit
ADA coordinator.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>* We discussed our concerns with the San
Diego lifeguards.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>*WE discussed our concerns with the Carlsbad
Police code enforcements.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Most importantly, we brought the
ADA to life with our cry. The North County Times heard us and put it all in
print. Below is our Article read it: </FONT></DIV><FONT face=Arial
size=2>
<DIV><BR>Sunday, August 12, 2007<BR>Last modified Sunday, August 12, 2007 12:02
AM PDT</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>(Photo caption)<BR>From left, guide dog users Gail Paulson, with her dog
Alton, Peter <BR>Mansell, with Aerie, Juliet Cody, President of the California
<BR>Association of Guide Dog Users, and Robert Stigile, President of the
<BR>National Federation of the Blind of California, with Wonder, stroll <BR>down
the boardwalk in Carlsbad Saturday.<BR>----------<BR><A
href="http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/08/12/news/coastal/23_33_058_11_07.txt">www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/08/12/news/coastal/23_33_058_11_07.txt</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>North County guide dog users say there's a problem with cabs</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>By: DARRYN BENNETT - For the North County Times</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>CARLSBAD ---- Things heated up at the California Association of Guide
<BR>Dog Users' first annual seminar Saturday when association President
<BR>Juliet Cody opened a discussion about equal access to taxicabs.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Several people at the seminar in Heritage Hall at Carlsbad's Magee <BR>Park
spoke about difficulties they have experienced when trying to <BR>get a cab ride
with their guide dog. They said they are often <BR>discriminated against and
refused service because they need a service <BR>animal to ride with them.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"This is a growing problem in North County and across the nation," <BR>Cody
said. "We're asking for the community to help us solve this."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits taxicab <BR>operators
from refusing service or charging higher fares to people <BR>traveling with
guide dogs.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Cody said the problem stems from the fact that many cabs are
<BR>independently operated by drivers who don't understand the law.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"We've heard every excuse from 'I'm allergic to dogs' to 'It's <BR>against
my religion to have dogs in a car,' " Cody said.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>According to the ADA, guide dogs can only be excluded from a place of
<BR>business, including a cab, if the dog poses a direct safety threat.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Brandon Christianson of North County said he can't even hail down a <BR>cab
with his guide dog Patriot.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"I want to get 'Dateline' with their hidden camera out there or
<BR>something so everyone can see how we're treated," he said.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Cody said she invited representatives from Yellow Cab of North <BR>County,
Coach Cab in Oceanside and Courtesy Cab in Vista ---- local <BR>companies
association members said employ drivers who have refused to <BR>let guide dogs
in their cabs ---- but no one showed up.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Members called as many as 12 times," she said, "but no one even <BR>called
us back."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Yellow Cab representatives couldn't be reached for comment Saturday,
<BR>but Mike, a dispatcher who preferred to not give his last name, said
<BR>although he didn't know of an official company policy, he was "pretty
<BR>sure it's illegal to not let them (guide dogs) ride."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>John McPherson, a dispatcher for Courtesy Cab, said he had heard <BR>about
the invitation to the seminar, but no one from the company was <BR>able to make
it on short notice.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"I can't think of any reason a driver wouldn't let a dog ride unless <BR>it
was wet and dirty or something," he said. "But 100 percent, if I <BR>knew a
blind person with a dog needed a cab, I'd find someone to pick <BR>them
up."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>McPherson, who also didn't know if his company had an official guide
<BR>dog policy, said Courtesy Cab's owner wouldn't be available for <BR>comment
until Monday.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>A Coach Cab employee who declined to give his name said he found it
<BR>"difficult to believe" anyone had been refused service from drivers <BR>with
the company. He said the owner wouldn't be available for comment <BR>until
Monday, but that the company is somehow contracted with the ADA <BR>to provide
service to people with disabilities.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"We pick up people with guide dogs every day," he said.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The free seminar also included discussions of other concerns for <BR>guide
dog owners, a presentation on beach safety from a San Diego <BR>lifeguard and an
update on North County transit issues for people <BR>with disabilities. It
concluded with a walk along the boardwalk near <BR>the beach.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Comments On This Story</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Note: Comments reflect the views of readers and not necessarily those
<BR>of the North County Times or its staff.<BR>Paul wrote on Aug 12, 2007 8:44
AM:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>" They need to hire that lawyer that is so litigious and sues
<BR>businesses. But he won't take up that cause as there is not enough <BR>money
in it for him. "</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Hey!! wrote on Aug 12, 2007 9:26 AM:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>" Get Pinnock! He can claim to take every cab in Oceanside and it
<BR>'ruined his weekend'!! Reminds me of a long time back when Chin's
<BR>refused folks with guide dogs and I still think of that every time I <BR>see
their sign. "</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Not just cabs wrote on Aug 12, 2007 12:51 PM:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>" Blind and visually impaired are discriminated in more places than
<BR>taxi cabs. Restaurants are DARK - you have to carry a flashlight to <BR>find
your way or maybe read a menu? NONE have large print menus. <BR>Stores allow
obstacles on the floor, never picking up toys or clothes <BR>that inconsiderate
kids/families toss there. Neighbors ignore <BR>neighbors who could use a ride
(and can't afford a taxi), and others <BR>are just plain RUDE if a blind person
walks slowly or asks a <BR>question. Many YELL at blind people thinking they are
dumb and can't <BR>HEAR. All of you that are able bodied, getdown on your knees
and give <BR>thanks! "</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Paul wrote on Aug 12, 2007 1:29 PM:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>" To not just cabs -- I am handicap, BUT I do not have a huge chip on
<BR>my shoulder. GET A LIFE! "</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>to Not just cabs... wrote on Aug 12, 2007 4:51 PM:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>" if someone cannot afford a taxi why is it all of a sudden my duty <BR>to
become a personal chauffer? I walked/rode a bicycle for a few <BR>years before I
got a car... big deal! GET A LIFE INDEED! not being <BR>able to afford a taxi
has NOTHING to do with this article... "</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Add Your Comments or Letter to the Editor</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>__._,_.___ </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Messages in this topic <BR><BR>Reply (via web post) | </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>This is Juliet's message to all of you:</DIV>
<DIV>Here is what we need to make happen. In the seminar last Saturday we only
got the ball rolling. I would like to see every guide/handler team up and
down the state who has had a problem to call their local newspaper and
give the newspaper the story. Tell them about the problems you have
experienced in other states, if we get enough releases the awareness may travel
across the nation! Please circulate this article and do
your part. Post on the CAGDU List your support and your advocacy
contribution, LETS KEEP IT UP!!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thank you,</DIV>
<DIV>Juliet and Marly Cody </DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>