[Blindtlk] Illinois Guide Dog Case

[Marion & Martin]

Please circulate this message as widely as is appropriate!

Dear All,
    In August of this year a newspaper article was sent to the email list of the National Association of Guide Dog Users about Linda Van Dusen, a Social Worker in Illinois, who was denied access to a taxicab from Edwards Hospital in Naperville, Ill. I contacted Ms. VanDusen and offered her the assistance of the National Association of Guide Dog users, A proud division of the national Federation of the Blind. On her behalf, I contacted the DuPage County Sherrif's Office and discussed the filing of criminal charges against the driver. As happens so often, the law enforcement authorities had absolutely no knowledge of the criminal statutes that protect the access of those who use service animals. I brought this to the attention of higher ranking officials, including DuPage county Commissioner james Healy who is an attorney. Mr. healy took it up the ladder to the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
    Last week I received a telephone call from the Assistant Attorney Generl for the Office of Civil Rights. The AG's office is seeking the assistance of the national Association of Guide Dog Users to conduct law enforcement training about the interaction of state and federal laws in the protection of the rights of the disabled, including those who choose to use service animals. I have been corresponding with Pattie Chang, President of the NFB of Illinois, and Craig Borne, a Maryland attorney and guide dog user. Craig sent a message to the National Association of Blind Lawyers list seeking members of the Illinois Bar who were blind. Several such people have come forward to offer their services pro bono.
    Today I spoke via teleconference to craig and Pattie. The NFB of Illinois will be an active participant in the ongoing provision of speakers for these training sessions. Craig is coordinating efforts between NAGDU and NABL. There is tremendous cooperation between the three parts of our organization and it is a model for future efforts on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind.
    I spoke with Dr. Marc Maurer this afternoon to solicit his input and support. I explained a bit about the project and the cooperative work we are doing. Dr. Maurer's only input was that we proceed as we are, maintaining good communication between all of the parties, and keep him abreast of the developments.
    A teleconference meeting will be held with Pattie Chang, Craig Borne, select members of the NABL to develop the working group and its plan. There is an excellent opportunity for us to use the attention this case is receiving to clarify the laws of Illinois, educate law enforcement, public accommodations, and service animal users and organizations. I believe you will see a tremendous shift in attitude as the result of this one incident and the way it was handled. I cannot overstate the importance of this project and its far-reaching effects. 
    I plan on keeping everyone up to speed on the developments through our list serves. The obvious place such information will be posted and discussed will be on the NAGDU list. I know email has a life of its own, so for those who need subscription information, go to 
http://nfbnet.org
click on "Join or drop NFB mailing lists",find the link to the National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) and complete the subscription information. There are nearly 200 participants on the NAGDU list, including the most active guide dog users/advocates in the country! We invite your participation, as well!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, Vice President
National Association of Guide Dog Users
National Federation of the Blind
(813) 626-2789
(800) 558-8261

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Please circulate this message as widely as is appropriate!
 
Dear All,
    In August of this year a newspaper article was sent to the email list of the National Association of Guide Dog Users about Linda Van Dusen, a Social Worker in Illinois, who was denied access to a taxicab from Edwards Hospital in Naperville, Ill. I contacted Ms. VanDusen and offered her the assistance of the National Association of Guide Dog users, A proud division of the national Federation of the Blind. On her behalf, I contacted the DuPage County Sherrif's Office and discussed the filing of criminal charges against the driver. As happens so often, the law enforcement authorities had absolutely no knowledge of the criminal statutes that protect the access of those who use service animals. I brought this to the attention of higher ranking officials, including DuPage county Commissioner james Healy who is an attorney. Mr. healy took it up the ladder to the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
    Last week I received a telephone call from the Assistant Attorney Generl for the Office of Civil Rights. The AG's office is seeking the assistance of the national Association of Guide Dog Users to conduct law enforcement training about the interaction of state and federal laws in the protection of the rights of the disabled, including those who choose to use service animals. I have been corresponding with Pattie Chang, President of the NFB of Illinois, and Craig Borne, a Maryland attorney and guide dog user. Craig sent a message to the National Association of Blind Lawyers list seeking members of the Illinois Bar who were blind. Several such people have come forward to offer their services pro bono.
    Today I spoke via teleconference to craig and Pattie. The NFB of Illinois will be an active participant in the ongoing provision of speakers for these training sessions. Craig is coordinating efforts between NAGDU and NABL. There is tremendous cooperation between the three parts of our organization and it is a model for future efforts on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind.
    I spoke with Dr. Marc Maurer this afternoon to solicit his input and support. I explained a bit about the project and the cooperative work we are doing. Dr. Maurer's only input was that we proceed as we are, maintaining good communication between all of the parties, and keep him abreast of the developments.
    A teleconference meeting will be held with Pattie Chang, Craig Borne, select members of the NABL to develop the working group and its plan. There is an excellent opportunity for us to use the attention this case is receiving to clarify the laws of Illinois, educate law enforcement, public accommodations, and service animal users and organizations. I believe you will see a tremendous shift in attitude as the result of this one incident and the way it was handled. I cannot overstate the importance of this project and its far-reaching effects.
    I plan on keeping everyone up to speed on the developments through our list serves. The obvious place such information will be posted and discussed will be on the NAGDU list. I know email has a life of its own, so for those who need subscription information, go to
http://nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org
click on "Join or drop NFB mailing lists",find the link to the National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) and complete the subscription information. There are nearly 200 participants on the NAGDU list, including the most active guide dog users/advocates in the country! We invite your participation, as well!
 
Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, Vice President
National Association of Guide Dog Users
National Federation of the Blind
(813) 626-2789
(800) 558-8261