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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=640384822-25012010><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>Dear CAGDUER'S- Below is
a letter from the guide dog state board. I strongly suggest everyone read
this letter. I think this letter will answer some questions and concerns of what
the board is planning for the next year. </FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=640384822-25012010><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial>Tina
</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=640384822-25012010></SPAN></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=640384822-25012010> </SPAN><STRONG>Subject:</STRONG> [K9Scoop] WHAT
YOUR GUIDE DOG BOARD DOES FOR YOU<BR></FONT></FONT><BR></DIV>
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<P>from: <A
href="http://www.ccbnet.org/bc/bc1001.htm#16">http://www.ccbnet.<WBR>org/bc/bc1001.<WBR>htm#16</A>
WHAT YOUR GUIDE DOG BOARD DOES FOR YOU <BR>by Tony Candela, Board
Member<BR> <BR>Since the Board's inception, there have been landmark wins
for consumers. In 1980, Business and Professions Code Section 7215.5 guaranteed
dog ownership (title) would be transferred to the guide dog user from the
school. In 1989, home training was added as an additional option for successor
training and undue hardship cases (sponsored by CCB). In 1992, an arbitration
panel was created to settle custody disputes between guide dog users and
schools.<BR> <BR>Additionally, successful partnerships between the Board
and stakeholders has brought about changes in policy and increased communication
to lawmakers, the business community and general members of the public. For
example, decals created in 1986 educated members of the public and the business
community about access rights for guide dog users, and legislation was
introduced to increase penalties for obstructing pedestrian right-of-way and for
vicious dog attacks on guide dogs.<BR>Today's Board<BR>Today, the Board is at a
defining moment in the organization'<WBR>s history. Consumers are savvy; donors
can hold guide dog schools accountable for spending (for example, through online
charity watchdog groups), and guide dog schools are held to new and improved
standards by reputable international industry organizations. Where does that
leave the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind?<BR> <BR>Today's Board
has a two-pronged agenda. One, to protect consumers by ensuring that service
providers are both competent and ethical; two, to leverage partnerships to
accomplish outreach and education goals, which include addressing access, dog
attacks, assistance animals and pedestrian safety.<BR> <BR>This Board is
interested in safe and open choice for the consumer, which is why we are taking
a look at our statutes and regulations to clarify and amend them to ensure they
protect consumers without significantly restricting the marketplace where the
consumer has as many options as possible.<BR> <BR>In 2010, the Board will
be seeking legislation to make home training available for anyone, regardless of
prior experience. Not only will this give consumers more choice, it will give
the schools flexibility in their training. Additionally, we want out-of-state
schools to know that they are welcome here in California. The instructors would
be able to sit for the exam and have the ease of mind that goes with the
portability of the state license. In fact, in the last few months, two
out-of-state schools have hired California licensed instructors and have
encouraged them to maintain an active license.<BR> <BR>One of the main
issues from out-of-state schools is follow-up services. When an instructor works
a route as part of follow-up services with a student, this is considered
"instruction,<WBR>" which requires a license. Several guide dog users voiced
concern over this law. Therefore, the Board will be open to consider all
options, which may include clarifying the statute to allow for a certain time
period during which an instructor could provide follow-up services without a
license. Such changes would require legislative authority and may take time. In
the meantime, we encourage input from all of you throughout the
process.<BR> <BR>The Board is also reviewing the time requirement for
training. Currently, the law states that a first time user must have a minimum
of 80 hours of training in four weeks. For successor dogs, the requirement is 40
hours over a period of two weeks. The Practice Task Force (made up of three
senior guide dog instructors) recommended that the Board set the minimum at 30
hours of in-harness instruction and 15 hours of theoretical instruction for
first time users. For successor dogs, the requirement would be 20 hours of
in-harness instruction and 10 hours of theoretical instruction. This regulatory
proposal will be submitted in the next two months to the Office of
Administrative Law for consideration.<BR> <BR>What lies in the future for
the Board?<BR>The Board is currently scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2011. What
happens if this occurs? If the Board sunsets, the structure of the board members
would go away, to be replaced by a Bureau within a Department (either the
Department of Consumer Affairs or the Department of Rehabilitation)<WBR>. The
Guide Dog Act itself would remain, along with all of its regulations. Fees would
continue to be collected from guide dog schools and guide dog instructors. A
Bureau Chief would be appointed by the Director of the
Department.<BR> <BR>What other organizations fulfill the functions of the
Board? While the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) promotes standards of
practice for guide dog schools, competencies for guide dog instructors have not
been established. Additionally, if standards are not met under the standards set
for by IGDF for the guide dog instructor, guide dogs or the guide dog school,
the only remedy is to be removed as a member of the organization. There would be
no format for a consumer to complain about a licensee (a school or an
instructor) and no disciplinary authority to prevent the instructor from
practicing or the school from operating. In other states, a school can operate
without an instructor. In California, if a school did not have an instructor,
its license would be suspended, which would mean that no funds could be raised.
This is one of the checks and balances built into the law. <BR> <BR>What
has the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind done for you lately? The answer
is not a simple one. The legal mandate is clearly consumer protection through
the competency of guide dogs, guide dog instructors and schools. This is
accomplished through annual school inspections, bi-annual examinations and
continuing education requirements.<BR> <BR>What else can the Board do? Can
the Board be an advocate for the consumer? Can consumers still contact the Board
if they have a concern about access or a vicious dog attack? The answer is yes.
While the Board does not have the jurisdiction to cite or fine businesses or
members of the public from impeding on the mobility of our consumers, we have
historically assisted in educating businesses about state and federal
accessibility laws. We hope to continue this important dialogue with our
stakeholders and encourage you to be a part of our decision-making process. For
more information on the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind, visit us on the
web at www.guidedogboard.<WBR>ca.gov.The Guide Dog Act was signed into law by
Governor Earl Warren in 1947. The Guide Dog Board was established for three
reasons; one, to prohibit fly-by-night schools; two, to set training standards
for guide dog instruction; three, to ensure financial integrity and
accountability in<BR>donor funds.<BR><BR>[Non-text portions of this message have
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