[CCCNFBW] guide dogs

[Marci Carpenter]

> Hello Vaughn 
> 
> As President of the National Federation of the Blind of Washington I want to address issues you raised in your email concerning Marion Gwizdala, guide dog issues and also our Clark County chapter and our state affiliate. Marion Gwizdala is the elected President of the National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU), a division of the National Federation of the Blind. He was elected to the position by guide dog users attending our national convention, some of whom are members of this chapter and this affiliate. In that role he speaks for NAGDU and thus for the Federation. As anyone who has attended National Federation of the Blind conventions can tell you NAGDU holds meetings with lively discussions every year at its annual meeting. The national convention also considers many resolutions regarding guide dogs and guide dog schools, some of which pass and some which don’t. Our national convention is the supreme authority of the Federation. Leaders speak for the Federation in between conventions, weather they are leaders of chapters, state affiliates or state or national divisions.
> 
> Regarding the Clark County chapter and the National Federation of the Blind of Washington (and all levels of the Federation) we do not tolerate discrimination against blind people. Those who feel they may have been discriminated against by an agency or company can and do file complaints against those entities. If we feel that a case has merit we will support it with legal and other resources to whatever extent we are able. I am not aware of any findings of discrimination against the Washington State School for the Blind. If you or anyone else is aware of such findings I would encourage you to contact me. I do not consider the location of the Clark County chapter meetings to be discriminatory.
> 
> As members of the National Federation of the Blind we pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity and security for the blind, to support the policies and programs of the Federation and to abide by its constitution. Our lists are forums for discussion and debate about issues we are considering. Many people ask questions. They may question why we do a certain thing. These discussions are welcome. What is not welcome is a personal attack on any member or elected leader of this organization or false accusations concerning a chapter, affiliate or any other body in the Federation. Anyone who violates our list rules, which are published each month by David Andrews and which apply regardless of the sender’s membership status in the Federation, is subject to removal from this or any other list.
> 
> Marci Carpenter, President
> National Federation of the Blind of Washington
> 206-604-5507
> mjc59 at comcast.net <mailto:mjc59 at comcast.net>
> 
>> On Jul 5, 2020, at 1:41 PM, Vaughn Brown via CCCNFBW <cccnfbw at nfbnet.org <mailto:cccnfbw at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello,
>> 
>> Lately Marion has been attacking guide dog training centers as
>> president of the guide dog users branch of NFB. He noted that no guide
>> dog program has endorsed the so-called "bill of rights". And rightly
>> so for the bill of rights are without input from any of these centers.
>> He also sent out an email several weeks ago with stories about
>> trainers grabbing dogs from their handlers and taking them away or
>> forceably removing harnasses.
>> 
>> As a legal studies student I find his unfounded attacks on guide dog
>> centers severely disappointing. I received guide dogs from two
>> separate centers and never read in their policies the need to snatch
>> dogs or harnasses from handlers. Nor did Marion cite any cases in
>> which this occurred. Legal cases are published by courts or are
>> available in other forms. And I am disappointed that this chapter and
>> the Washington chapter endorsed his attacks on the centers by not
>> addressing this matter.
>> 
>> I was planning on paying my $5 fee and join you but since Marion's
>> hostile emails and unfounded attitudes has gone out publically I
>> withdraw my decision. I also withdraw my decision because this chapter
>> endorses blindness discrimination against employees by taking up
>> meetings at WSSB. Many of your on the board are employees of WSSB and
>> are perfectly aware of Scott's and Sean's discriminatory policies. I
>> will remain friends with the members but I, until this chapter changes
>> its location and addresses Marion's hostile emails regarding guide dog
>> training centers, will not and cannot, in good faith, support NFB as
>> an organization.
>> 
>> I will, instead, be joining the American Council of the Blind.
>> 
>> You are welcome to contact me to share your thoughts. Thank you.
>> 
>> Vaughn Brown
> 
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