A Publication of Guide Dog Users, Inc.
President: Penny Reeder
Editor: Andrea Giudice
Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI)
A special interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) since 1972
Toll-Free: 866.799.8436
The Department of Transportation Notice of Proposed Rule Making Regarding Flying with Service Animals: Your Comments Are Important!
GDUI’s Advocacy and Legislative Affairs Committee and our Board of Directors have worked hard over recent weeks to prepare comments to send to the U. S. Department of Transportation regarding the Notice of Proposed Rule Making concerning dogs that will be permitted to fly onboard planes. We submitted GDUI’s comments on February 20 , and, equally important, we urge all of you to submit your own comments on the proposed rules. We cannot overstate how important it is for our community to respond to the proposed rules. According to spokespersons from the U. S. Department of Transportation, over 10,000 comments have already been submitted. The regulators need to hear from each of us, as well! The deadline for submitting comments is April 6. To read our comments and learn how to submit your own, visit this link: https://guidedogusersinc.org/gdui-provides-comments-regarding-u-s-department-of-transportation-notice-of-proposed-rule-making-docket-no-dot-ost-2018-0068/
When you post your own comments, please identify yourself as a guide dog user. Use your own words. We are sharing our comments to provide guidance. Sharing your ggpersonal experiences, your individual misgivings about the proposed rules you don’t agree with, and your passion for the guide dogs who allow us to travel independently and add so much to our lives: All of these aspects of the comments you share will help regulators to understand our concerns and the priority we place on our civil right to fly, unburdened and unencumbered, with our guide dogs.
We have made our comments available to help you think about what you want to say and to motivate you to add your personal comments to ours and others for whom revised regulations are bound to affect travel plans and life styles.
The Guide Dog Users of Florida Conference Call
On Thursday, February 13, GDUF held a conference call to discuss the proposed rules described in the U. S. Department of Transportation Notice of Proposed Rule Making the recording from that very interesting call is available at this number, using the access code and reference number, as follows:
515.606.5480
Access code: 256965 pound
Reference number 24
Our thanks to Tom Hanson, who invited us to participate on the call, to all of the GDUF members who shared their responses to proposed rule changes, to Sarah Calhoun, Lillian Scaife, and Annie Chiappetta, who also attended, and to Kati Lear, who has made the recording available for all of us. We encourage you to listen to the recording. Our conversation, along with the document referenced above, will help you to understand the proposed rules and to think about what you want to say when you provide your own comments to the Department of Transportation.
When you know how you want to respond to the NPRM, and if you find it difficult to post your comments online, you can turn to ACB for help with the process of posting your comments. If you need assistance with filing your comments electronically, please email your comments and contact information to advocacy@acb.org, and ACB will file them on your behalf.
It is important that as many individuals file comments as possible, so please do not let any technical difficulties deter you from doing so. If you have any questions while drafting your comments, please reach out to Charlie Crawford at Advocacy@GuideDogUsersInc.org, to Claire Stanley cstanley@acb.org), or Clark Rachfal (crachfal@acb.org).
Announcing the GDUI 2020 Elections
The 2020 GDUI Elections will commence on Saturday, May 30 at 12:01 A.M. EDT, and run through Sunday, June 7, 2020 at 11:59 PM.EDT.
GDUI is seeking candidates for the following positions in our May 2020 elections.
President (2-year Term)
1st Vice President (2-year Term)
2nd Vice President (2-year Term)
Secretary (2-year Term)
Treasurer (2-year Term)
2 Director Seats (3-Year Term)
GDUI members in good standing are eligible to run for a position on the GDUI Board. Interested candidates should submit an application, resume and cover letter to the Nominations Committee Chair, Dixie Sanderson Director5@GuideDogUsersInc.org by the deadline of March 21, 2020.
The information supplied within the cover letter, application and resume will be shared with the GDUI members eligible to vote in this election.
GDUI members who have paid their dues by this year’s record date of April 9, 2020 will be eligible to vote in the May elections.
GDUI is proud of our universally accessible voting system in which each member of GDUI is entitled to a voice in the election of our GDUI Board.
If you have not renewed your membership, now is the time to do so.
An at-large membership in GDUI costs $25.00 per person per year.
dues may be paid online by going to https://guidedogusersinc.org/join/, or by credit card by calling 1-866-799-8436.
Or by mailing your check to the above address and made payable to GDUI.
Important dates to remember:
In order to be eligible to vote in the 2020 GDUI election your 2020 GDUI dues must have been received on or before the record date of April 9, 2020.
We will hold 2 candidates’ Forums prior to the elections. Phone numbers for these calls will be publicized closer to the dates.
Candidates’ Forum 1. Saturday, April 25, 2020, 1:00 P. M. EDT.
Candidates’ Forum 2. Thursday May 21, 2020 8:00 P. M. EDT
Between the dates of April 1, 2020, and April 15, 2020, we encourage members to submit questions for your candidates. Please submit your questions to the Nominations Chair, Dixie Sanderson Director5@GuideDogUsersInc.org and include “Forum Question” in the subject line of your message.
Election period: Saturday, May 30 12:01 A.M. EDT through Sunday, June 7, 2020 11:59 P. M.EDT
Visit this page to find the application for candidacy for any of the officer or board positions for which you want to run:
https://guidedogusersinc.org/application-for-candidacy-2020/
We want to extend many thanks to Dixie Sanderson, Chair of the GDUI Nominations Committee, and committee members, Cynthia Hawkins, Pauline Lamontagne, and Deb Trevino
Bylaws
2020 is another year where members may submit suggested changes to our GDUI bylaws. The deadline to submit bylaw suggestions is March 15. They should be submitted to bylaws@guidedogusersinc.org or to Maria Hansen, Chair of our GDUI Bylaws Committee, directly at mhansen1@rcn.com.
The committee will evaluate all submissions and work with you to understand the rationale for your suggestion and, pending approval, include your suggested bylaw among the items to be voted upon in May.
We are excited to bring you yet another fun episode of the GDUI Juno report. This month we feature another segment of the GDUI program from the 2019 convention. This time we’re exploring the intricacies of pet food with Doctor Renee Streeter who is a VETERINARY nutritionist. Warning: your dog may get hungry hearing all about this, but you probably won’t.
The GDUI Juno report airs on ACB Radio Mainstream on Thursdays at 4 and 7 AM/PM and on Sunday at 9PM and Monday at 12AM, 9AM, and 12PM. All times are eastern.
The podcast comes out in about two weeks. Subscribe in Itunes at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gdui-juno-report/id1107836850
Wags to all of you.
Deb
Good News from Southeastern!
Southeastern Guide Dogs is very excited to announce that, because of the latest additions to our Alumni Support Program, starting on March 2, 2020, you will be able to receive the following benefits for your dog – at no cost to you:
High-quality dog food, sponsored by
Fromm Family Pet Food .
Trifexis (a monthly preventative providing your dog protection from fleas, heartworms and intestinal parasites), sponsored by
Elanco .
Annual veterinary wellness visit and vaccinations,
sponsored by select Veterinarian Partners and private donors.
In anticipation of our
March 2 launch date, we are now ready to accept your enrollment application. How exciting! You’ll be able to choose from the benefits listed above, which are optional to you.
Warm regards,
Titus Herman
Chief Executive Officer
For questions and support, contact
alumnibenefits@guidedogs.org
941.729.5665
4210 77th Street East | Palmetto, FL | 34221
Southeastern Guide Dogs | 4210 77th Street East, Palmetto, FL 34221
Higher Ed! Hunter College is seeking applicants to its Programs in Blindness and Visual Impairment
Combined VRT and O&M Master’s Degree Program (54 credits) and VRT Masters (40 credits)
Hunter’s VRT and O&M programs are offered with hybrid distance learning. Summer labs are on campus, dorm housing is available.
VRTs are eligible for O&M Advanced Certificate program.
Application deadline for Fall 2020 is March 15
For more information, visit:https://education.hunter.cuny.edu/admissions/graduate-programs/special-education/blind-and-visually-impaired/
M-Enabling Summit, the leading conference and showcase promoting accessible technology and environments for seniors and users of all abilities, which will be held June 22-24, 2020, at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, in Washington, D.C., is the annual meeting place for all who create and contribute to accessible ICT products, services and consumer technologies.
With its 2020 theme of “Digital Inclusion Strategies: A Catalyst for Action,” the M-Enabling Summit will highlight how organizations can successfully leverage innovative enabling technologies to make their digital workplaces, learning environments and products and services accessible to users of all abilities. It also offers an ideal platform to network with accessibility professionals, organizations, and decision makers seeking to address compliance challenges and market development opportunities.
This year’s thought-provoking agenda is set to be led by over 150 experts and industry leaders exploring how to further drive digital inclusion forward across all sectors of activity. A powerful differentiator in gaining a competitive advantage and establishing a positive culture, digital inclusion is embraced by leading organizations across all sectors of activity.
Annual M-Enabling Summit.
REGISTRATION:
The M-Enabling Summit offers a discounted early bird registration rate through April 30th.Register today and save:
https://m-enabling.com/conference-registration/
Summer Experience Camp – Making Teens Unstoppable!
A Free Program at Leader Dogs for the Blind
Application Deadline April 1, 2020!
Summer Experience Camp is a week of fun, friendship and skill building. The program combines activities like ziplining and tandem biking with independence building exercises and things exclusively Leader Dog—GPS training and spending time with future Leader Dogs. The combination helps increase independent travel skills, interpersonal skills and leadership skills.
The free program is for boys and girls ages 16 and 17 who are legally blind. Leader Dog covers all costs including airfare to Michigan—and everyone receives a free HumanWare Victor Reader Trek GPS device. The 2020 camp dates are June 24—July 1. Applications are due by April 1, 2020.
You can view a Fox Sports clip about camp, read camper stories and download an application at LeaderDog.org.
Rachelle Kniffen
Director of Communications & Marketing
Leader Dogs for the Blind
1039 S. Rochester Rd. • Rochester Hills, MI 48307-3115
Direct 248.659.5013
Toll Free 888777.5332
GDUI/ACB Convention News!
In 2020 there is exciting news for those of you registering for the American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention in Schaumburg IL.
Registration costs are increasing from $15 to $25 for pre-registration and from $25 to $35 for onsite registration. You may wonder why this is exciting news! As always the price of registration will include all general sessions, the exhibit hall, some affiliate programming and the many sessions offered by our sponsors and business partners.
But wait there’s more! All committee sessions that do not involve food functions will be presented at absolutely no cost! That means the outstanding transportation seminar, legislative boot camp, information access programming and so much more will all be included in the cost of registration.
Pre-registration will open on May 21 and close on June 21st. Again this year we are offering an exclusive opportunity to register early for ACB members. Convention pre-registration beginning May 21st through May 27th will be open only to ACB members. Starting May 28th registration will be open to everyone. Registration prior to the convention is easy, saves time and the earlier you register the better chance you have of booking tours and attending functions that have limited capacity.
If you are not a member of the American Council of the Blind a membership at large is $10.00. To become a member contact the Minneapolis office at 612.332.3242. To take advantage of the registration special you must pay for a membership by May first.
If you are in need of a wheelchair or a scooter to use during the ACB 2020 Conference and Convention Lang Home Medical
is offering ACB a great weekly rate.
standard wheelchairs:
$45 for 16- and 18-inch wheelchairs
$55 for a 20-inch wheelchair
$75 for a 22-inch wheelchair
$80 for a 24-inch wheelchair
transport wheelchair: $45
scooters $125
power wheelchairs $250 (very limited supply)
There will be an additional fee of $15 to cover the drop-off and pick-up of the wheelchair or scooter at the Renaissance. To reserve please call 847957.7443 and ask for Matt.
You must reserve prior to June 15th. Let Matt know you are with ACB. Once you have made your reservation please contact ACB Convention Coordinator, Janet Dickelman. She’ll be maintaining a master list to accept the deliveries.
Don’t miss out on the fun, make your hotel reservations today!
Room rates at the Renaissance Schaumburg are $94.00 per night (up to four people in a room)
This room rate does not include tax which is currently 15.0%.
For telephone reservations call 800.468.3571, this is a central reservations number, let them know you want a reservation at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel.
Due to limited computer characters the block is listed as
AMERICN COUNCL BLIND. American is missing the second A and Council doesn’t have an I.
Rooms must be booked by June 10 2020, to guarantee the convention rate.
Please feel free to contact Janet Dickelman, with any questions either via phone, 651.428.5059 or email
If you are traveling to attend the 2020 ACB Conference and Convention read on for important information regarding transportation to the hotel.
American Taxi Dispatch
Inc offers a rate of $28 from O’Hare and $55 from Midway to the Renaissance in Schaumburg. The same rates will apply from the hotel back to the airports.
When you arrive at either airport volunteers will try and put more than one person in a taxi so the fare can be split but this may not be possible so be prepared to pay the entire fare.
The rate for Union Station or Greyhound is also $55.
You can call American Taxi Dispatch and book your ride a few days prior to your arrival, or call them when you arrive.
Their phone number is 847.255.9600.
There are other options such as Uber, Lyft and other taxi companies; please keep in mind many of these companies add in an additional airport pickup fee.
ParaTransit in Schaumburg: Setting Up your Service During Convention
If you want to use paratransit service during convention, you will need to ask your local paratransit provider to provide a copy of your eligibility to Pace Suburban Bus which operates paratransit services throughout the entire Chicago Metropolitan area including Schaumburg. You will need to call Pace Regional Paratransit Visitor Eligibility. They will tell you what your local provider needs to do to send a copy of your eligibility to Pace. While Pace has indicated this needs to be done a minimum of seven days in advance, we recommend doing this at least two weeks in advance. You also might want to call Visitor Eligibility back before arriving at convention to make sure you’re in the system so you can schedule rides. The Visitor Eligibility folks can also help you schedule your first trip, a good idea if you’re wanting to use paratransit for pickup from either O’Hare or Midway airports, or from Amtrak or Greyhound. If you’re being picked up from Midway, Amtrak (Chicago Union Station) or Greyhound, there will be a transfer from a City of Chicago paratransit carrier to the North Cook County paratransit carrier. North Cook will pick up at O’Hare. From O’Hare, Pace will need to know what airline you’re coming in on and they can tell you where you need to go to be picked up. If scheduling a return Paratransit pickup to O’Hare, tell them your departure airline and they’ll drop you at the correct terminal.
Using the Service While You’re Here
Our paratransit system is a regional system, meaning you can travel anywhere in the Chicago Metropolitan area if you want too. However, it’s divided into several service areas, each served by a different paratransit operator. If you want to travel, say into Chicago, you’ll need to make a transfer at the Rosemont Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) station, and you’ll need to make more than one phone call to schedule your ride. To schedule paratransit rides from the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumburg, call the North Cook County paratransit operator. When you call, be prepared to give your name to the call taker, as well as the pickup address and address for your destination and the time you want to be picked up. You need to call at least one day in advance of the day you want to travel. The hotel address is 1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, Illinois. Be aware that service may be limited on Sundays and holidays due to reduced fixed route service in the area on those days. If you’re wanting to travel into Chicago, tell the call taker you want to be taken to the Rosemont CTA station to transfer to the City of Chicago paratransit service. They’ll tell you how long you should allow in travel time between the hotel and Rosemont. Then, call the Chicago Zone 3 Paratransit operator, tell them what time you’ll be at Rosemont and the address where you want to go in Chicago. If you’ll be needing a return trip, give the pickup time and pickup address in Chicago to the call taker, and they’ll tell you when you can expect to arrive back at Rosemont. You then call North Cook county back and tell them what time you’ll be at Rosemont for your return trip and they’ll set the pickup up to bring you back to the hotel. In our system, the vehicle you’re transferring from will wait until the vehicle you’re transferring to arrives, and the driver will help you get between vehicles. Transferring is also what you’ll need to do if scheduling a return paratransit ride to Midway Airport, Amtrak or Greyhound. They shouldn’t ask for addresses for O’Hare or Midway, Amtrak or Greyhound. Just be sure if going to Amtrak you tell them Chicago Union Station.
Paratransit fare is $3.25 each way, and you’re allowed to have one Personal Care Attendant with you. If you are taking a companion who is not a PCA, you may need to pay $3.25 each way for them as well, the call taker will let you know if this is the case. Transfers are free. More information about the paratransit service, including numbers to call to travel to other parts of the region, is available at www.pacebus.com, by clicking on the Paratransit Service link. Or, you can call Pace at 312-341-8000.
Phone Numbers You Need to Know
Pace Suburban Bus, Regional Visitor Eligibility: 312.341.8000, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ask for Visitor Eligibility
North Cook County Paratransit Operator, to schedule rides from the hotel: 800.554.7599, Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
City of Chicago Zone 3 Paratransit Operator for Scheduling Rides into Chicago: 866.926.9633, option 1, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7 days a week
Thanks to Illinois Council of the Blind, 217.523.4967, www.icbonline.org, for providing all of this helpful information.
Apply to Become a 2020 ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellow
[From: The February 2020 ACB Braille Forum]Kenneth Semien Sr.Have you noticed how ACB has been progressing? Have you considered contributing by sharing your skills and abilities to make ACB all that it can be? Are you interested in playing a role in creating positive change for Americans who are blind, visually impaired or low vision? If you answered, “yes” to any of the above questions, you are encouraged to read below to confirm your eligibility and necessary commitment to become a member of the 2020 Class of ACB/JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows!
For the fifth consecutive year, JPMorgan Chase will provide full access to the ACB conference and convention for 5 ACB members who have demonstrated leadership abilities. Now is the time to take advantage of the opportunity to join the leadership inner circle or renew your commitment to assist in the growth and continuance of ACB. Get connected with previous classes of Leadership Fellows who have involved themselves in this enlightening experience while meeting other members and active leaders from around the country. By attending the 59th annual ACB convention in Schaumburg, Ill., as a Leadership Fellow, you will be introduced to tools for success through participation in informative workshops, seminars and leadership development sessions that are sure to prepare you to serve well in future leadership roles within ACB, your local chapter, and your state or special-interest affiliate.
To be a qualified applicant, you are required to meet specific criteria, including but not limited to the following three elements:
18 years of age or older
Blind or visually impaired
An ACB member in good standing (current on membership dues)
Eligible applicants must be endorsed by the president of their state or special-interest affiliate. Applicants are encouraged to be sure that they meet the award criteria before requesting that their affiliate president write and submit a letter of recommendation on their behalf. The application process for this award also consists of the submission of two letters and participating in a telephone interview with a team of DKM committee members. The letter of application should begin with your complete name; physical address; email address containing the applicant’s name, along with a home and cell number, then introduce yourself to the committee by including objectives in applying for the leadership award; a brief summary of your education and relevant experience; number of years of membership in ACB, as well as previous conventions attended, if any; description of one’s role as a leader; and examples of what you bring to ACB. The affiliate president’s letter of recommendation should address the applicant’s contributions to the affiliate, ACB and community organizations; and describe the applicant’s demonstrated leadership skills and leadership potential. Thirty-minute telephone interviews will be scheduled for mid-April.
All recipients receive round-trip transportation; hotel accommodation (double occupancy), per diem stipend for meals and incidentals, convention registration fee and reception and banquet tickets. Recipients are expected to attend the convention from the opening meeting, Saturday evening, July 4th, through the Thursday evening banquet, July 9th, and to participate actively in all designated convention activities, including the daily general sessions, special-interest presentations, seminars and workshops.
Send application documents to Kelly Gasque in the ACB national office,
kgasque@acb.org
The deadline for receipt is April 3rd. Selected awardees will be notified during the latter part of April. If you have questions regarding the application process and required documentation, contact DKM chair Kenneth Semien Sr. via email, semien.k@att.net. Other beneficial information will be shared once your application has been received. Apply today, don’t be late!
GDUI Joins ACB in Commending West Virginia for Making Absentee Voting Accessible for People with Disabilities
[Excerpted from the news release found here: https://acb.org/ACB-commends-WV-accessible-absentee-voting]Alexandria, VA — On Monday, February 3, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed into law Senate Bill 94, a bill to ensure that all voters in West Virginia are guaranteed access to the ballot box, at polling locations and when voting absentee. On behalf of our nationwide membership, and in conjunction with the Mountain State Council of the Blind, the American Council of the Blind commends West Virginia for working with us to ensure equal access to absentee voting for people with disabilities.
“A critical guarantee of our democracy is the right to privately and independently mark, cast, and verify an election ballot. This right is not always afforded to people with disabilities, at the polling location or when voting absentee. The American Council of the Blind commends Governor Justice and the West Virginia State Legislature for working with ACB to pass S.B. 94 to ensure all residents of the Mountain State may fully participate in the democratic process,” said Eric Bridges, Executive Director, American Council of the Blind. Prior to this law, blind and visually impaired West Virginians could not independently and privately vote via absentee ballot; no alternative method to traditional paper ballots existed to allow those who could not visually read the ballot to vote independently. West Virginia will now implement an alternative absentee voting method that will allow those who cannot visually read the ballot to take advantage of this alternative voting system if they wish to do so.
While advocating for this new form of access, the American Council of the Blind, Centers for Independent Living, and West Virginia voters with disabilities were represented by the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, and Disability Rights of West Virginia.
“Ensuring equal access to the ballot is fundamental to our democracy. Yet, voters with disabilities have been consistently disenfranchised in absentee voting by the requirement to vote by paper ballot. We applaud West Virginia for recognizing the importance of equitable access to the voting process for all voters and the right to cast a private, independent ballot. S.B. 94 will help to remedy the historic disenfranchisement of voters with disabilities by providing an accessible, secure online option by which they can cast their ballots,” said Jonathan Smith, Executive Director, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.
Is audio description your jam? Here’s lots of news you can use!
Audio Description Project (ADP), an initiative of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), aims to bring more meaning and enjoyment to entertainment, cultural, and educational experiences for blind and visually impaired people.
If the cold winds of early March are getting you down, we suggest cuddling up with your guide dog and checking out the amazing array of audio-described entertainment listed, and updated daily, on the Audio Description Project page. ADP maintains a list of described DVDs, broadcast television, movies, performing arts, museums, and national parks on the ADP web site: http://www.acb.org/adp/. As the only repository of all audio described titles on DVD and the three video streaming services (Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and Netflix) the ADP WEB SITE PROVIDES A LIST OF EVERY DESCRIBED TITLE. For example, here are described video statistics AS OF February 1, from the ADP Master AD List:
SUMMARY: 3780 unique described videos and TV Series. 1722 videos were duplicated in more than one service.
22 Current Movies; 1212 DVDs; 13 Apple TV+; 387 Disney+; 71 Hulu; 1208 iTunes; 1120 Netflix; 1675 Prime-Video; 7 Other; 216 TV Series: 31 ABC, 15 CBS, 2 CW, 26 FOX, 21 NBC, 25 DISCOVERY, 21 HGTV, 25 HISTORY, 18 TBS, 10 TNT, 22 USA.
The American Council of the Blind’s Audio Description Project Announces Call for Nominations for the
Twelfth Annual ADP Awards-2020
This year’s ADP Awards include a call for nominations in six categories:
Achievement in Audio Description – Media
Achievement in Audio Description – Performing Arts
Achievement in Audio Description – Museums/Visual Art/Visitor Centers
Achievement in Audio Description – International
Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl Memorial Award in Audio Description – Research and Development
Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description
The call for nominations ends on Friday, May 29, 2020, with winners announced during a plenary session of the American Council of the Blind Conference and Convention and at the Audio Description Project Conference, July 2020 in Schaumburg, IL.
Nomination material, criteria and more information are available at:
Delaware Lawmakers Pass Groundbreaking Bill to Allow Titer Test in Lieu of Rabies Vaccine
[From:https://www.dogingtonpost.com/delaware-lawmakers-pass-groundbreaking-bill-to-allow-titer-test-in-lieu-of-rabies-vaccine/
Feb 7, 2020
Lawmakers in Delaware stepped up to help pets in a way that’s never been done in any state in the country. Once signed by the Governor, Maggie’s Pet Vaccine Protection Act could save the lives of countless pets moving forward.
Maggie’s Vaccine Protection Act, formally known as House Bill 214, unanimously passed in both the Delaware House and Senate, leaving just Gov. John Carney’s signature the last step in making it official. Once signed, veterinarians and pet owners will have the ability to exempt a pet from legally required rabies vaccine if the animal is sick, disabled, injured, or if other medical considerations exist which make vaccination a risk to the animal’s health and life. Instead of a vaccination, a Titer test, which measures a pet’s antibodies to combat rabies, can be used.
Delaware businessman and pet owner Al Casapulla initiated the bill after losing his beloved Shih Tzu, Maggie, to over-vaccination when state law required she be vaccinated, regardless of whether it was safe.
“I have been working on this bill since she died… I am extremely excited and very emotional,” Casapulla told the Coastal Point after learning the act had passed. “My passion to see this through was more than the passion I had when I started my business, because I knew if this gets passed we would be saving the lives of so many innocent animals and allowing vets to use their discretion on making legal, educated exemptions.”
“Maggie will be saving lives long after I am gone,” he said in an emotional Facebook post.
Governor Carney is expected to sign the bill in May.
Guide Dogs for the Blind celebrated the first litter of puppies born in the guide dog school’s new Puppy Center in San Rafael.
[From: https://patch.com/california/sanrafael/guide-dogs-blind-celebrates-new-puppy-center-marin]Kristina Houck, Patch Staff
Feb 14, 2020
Guide Dogs For The Blind Celebrates New Puppy Center In Marin
All future guide dogs from Guide Dogs for the Blind will be born in the $23 million Puppy Center in San Rafael.
SAN RAFAEL, CA
Guide Dogs for the Blind celebrated the first litter of puppies born in the guide dog school’s new Puppy Center in San Rafael.
The puppy shower kicked off Wednesday with capturing the mom and dad’s paw prints in cement outside the Puppy Center and ended with puppy shower games and treats for attendees.
The event was not open to the public, but a crowd of roughly 200 puppy raisers, breed custodians, trainers and staff celebrated with about 40 dogs.
All future guide dogs from the guide dog school will be born in the $23 million Puppy Center and will spend their first critical 8-10 weeks of life at the facility, according to the organization.
The Puppy Center includes areas for puppy birthing, puppy socialization and the Learning Lab, an educational center to expand the public’s understanding of what it takes to make a successful guide dog, as well as learn more about Guide Dogs for the Blind’s clients who travel through life with a guide dog at their side.
The Puppy Center’s grand opening to the public is planned for later this year.
The organization was the subject of an award-winning 2018 feature-length documentary called Pick of the Litter, which was developed into a television docu-series by the same name, which debuted late last year on subscription streaming service Disney+.
For more information on Guide Dogs for the Blind, visit guidedogs.com
Disasters and Scary News
When we were planning the contents of this issue of “Paws for GDUI News You Can Use,” I reminded myself to remind all of you of our Disaster Assistance and Preparedness Program (DAPP). Two weeks ago, some of the scariest news stories involved terrible flooding in Mississippi, and there are doubtless still families coping with the aftermath of that disaster. If you are one of those who was affected by this weather event, and if you need financial help coping with the expenses of caring for your guide dog while you find temporary shelter, or if you are involved in any similar disaster-related emergency situation, please remember GDUI’s DAPP fund which can offer help. Visit this link to learn about the program and to find out how to apply for assistance: https://guidedogusersinc.org/resources/disaster-assistance-preparedness-program-dapp/.
Since then, when I was thinking about how GDUI could help members coping with climate disasters or the aftermath of other emergency situations, news of the global pandemic that is causing serious illnesses and even death all over the world has become the dominant theme of the breaking news that grabs all of our attention and is, frankly, terrifying. This disaster looks to be far bigger in scope than any natural disaster any of us might have experienced or anticipated, and there’s not much help that our DAPP Committee might be able to provide for preparing for such a scary emergency. We are all in the same frightening situation, and we need more than shared empathy to prepare and to cope.
As I was thinking about what to do, what kinds of items I should be stocking, how to keep everyone in our household safe, and well, I came across the article I’m pasting below and decided to share it with you. We hope that the advice provided here will keep all of us safe, and, as we take precautions, that the preparations we make will offer reassurance and quell some of our shared panic.
The CDC tells us that this could be bad.
As we plan and prepare and cope, let us draw strength from all of the relationships that sustain us. Let’s pet our guide dogs to share and derive comfort from one another. Let’s keep in touch with each other, and stay safe. – Penny Reeder, President, Guide Dog Users, Inc.
The Wuhan Virus: How to Stay Safe
As China’s epidemic continues to spread, things may seem scary. Here are 10 simple precautions that can protect you from contracting the coronavirus.
| January 25, 2020, 2:47 PM
[From: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/01/25/wuhan-coronavirus-safety-china/]As the new Wuhan coronavirus has spread not only all over mainland China, but also worldwide, panic is rising. Inside China there is a growing sense of helplessness, as the government is compelled to take drastic measures to stop the virus, including introducing some travel restrictions in Beijing. I have received panicked queries from journalists and public health workers in China, asking, “How can we protect ourselves and our families?”
The epidemic could have been controlled fairly easily three weeks ago had there been more openness, swift action, and no attempted cover-up. But now it’s too late, and this virus is spreading globally. Because there is no vaccine or treatment for nCoV2019—the Wuhan pneumonia—and infection has spread throughout China, the government is forced to turn to its 2003 SARS playbook. And that means entire cities must be cut off, and the population of the nation must be restricted in its movements and potential disease-spreading behavior. It is not surprising then that travel out of Beijing may be forbidden; the entire mainland could go on lockdown soon.
I know people are very frightened. And I expect panic will rise in the coming days. But very simple measures can protect you.
During the SARS epidemic, I traveled all over China and Hong Kong, interviewed people infected with the virus, doctors and nurses treating the disease, government officials, police—everybody. I was never concerned that I would become infected, despite being in the room with sick individuals. And that’s because I knew what precautions to take. Here are the most important ones to know:
- When you leave your home, wear gloves—winter mittens or outdoor gloves—and keep them on in subways, buses, and public spaces.
- If you are in a social situation where you should remove your gloves, perhaps to shake hands or dine, do not touch your face or eyes, no matter how much something itches. Keep your hands away from contact with your face. And before you put your gloves back on, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, scrubbing the fingers. Put your gloves on.
- Change gloves daily, washing them thoroughly, and avoid wearing damp gloves.
- Masks are useless when worn outdoors and may not be very helpful even indoors. Most masks deteriorate after one or two wearings. Using the same mask day after day is worse than useless—it’s disgusting, as the contents of your mouth and nose eventually coat the inside of the mask with a smelly veneer that is attractive to bacteria. I rarely wear a face mask in an epidemic, and I have been in more than 30 outbreaks. Instead, I stay away from crowds, and I keep my distance from individual people—a half meter, about 1.5 feet, is a good standard. If someone is coughing or sneezing, I ask them to put on a mask—to protect me from their potentially contaminated fluids. If they decline, I step a meter (about 3 feet) away from them, or I leave. Don’t shake hands or hug people—politely beg off, saying it’s better for both of you not to come in close contact during an epidemic.
- Inside your household, remove all of the towels from your bathrooms and kitchen immediately, and replace them with clean towels that have the names of each family member on them. Instruct everybody in your home to only use their own towels and never touch another family member’s. Wash all towels twice a week. Damp towels provide terrific homes for viruses, like common colds, flus, and, yes, coronaviruses.
- Be careful with doorknobs. If it’s possible to open and close doors using your elbows or shoulders, do so. Wear gloves to turn a doorknob—or wash your hands after touching it. If anybody in your home takes sick, wash your doorknobs regularly. Similarly, be cautious with stairway banisters, desktops, cell phones, toys, laptops—any objects that are hand-held. As long as you handle only your own personal objects, you will be ok—but if you need to pick up someone else’s cell phone or cooking tools or use someone else’s computer keyboard, be mindful of not touching your face and wash your hands immediately after touching the object.
- If you share meals, do not use your personal chopsticks and utensils to remove food from a serving bowl or plate and, of course, tell your children to never drink out of anybody else’s cups or from a container of shared fluid. It is customary in China to prepare several dishes for a meal and then allow everybody at the table to use their personal chopsticks to pull food from the common dishes: Don’t do this until the epidemic is over. Place serving spoons in each dish and instruct everybody at the table to scoop what they want from the serving dishes onto their personal plates or bowls, return the serving spoon to the main dish, and then use their personal chopsticks only to pick food from their personal plate or bowl into their mouth. Wash all food and kitchenware thoroughly between meals and avoid restaurants that have poor hygiene practices.
- Absolutely do not buy, slaughter, or consume any live animal or fish until it is known what species was the source of the virus.
- When the weather allows, open your windows at home or work, letting your space air out. The virus cannot linger in a well-ventilated space. But of course, if it is cold or the weather is inclement, keep warm and close those windows.
- Finally, if you are caring for a friend or family member who is running a fever, always wear a tight-fitting mask when you are near them, and place one on the ailing person (unless they are nauseated). When you replace an old, dirty mask from the face of your friend or loved one be very, very careful—assume, for the sake of your protection, that it is covered in viruses, and handle it while wearing latex gloves, place it inside of a disposable container, seal it, and then put it in the trash. While wearing those latex gloves, gently wash the patient’s face with warm soap and water, using a disposable paper towel or cotton swab, and seal it after use in a container or plastic bag before placing it in your household trash. Wear long-sleeved shirts and clothing that covers your body when you are caring for your ailing friend or relative. Clean everything your patient wears or touches very thoroughly in hot soapy water, including sheets, towels, and utensils. If you have space, isolate the sick person in your household in a room, or a corner of a room, where they are comfortable, but separated from the rest of the household. If the weather is tolerable, open a window that is on the opposite side of the room, so that air gently blows past the patient’s face and then outdoors. Of course, don’t do this if it is very cold, as your friend or loved one will be made sicker if uncomfortably cold.
The Chinese government will take very drastic actions over the next few weeks, and this will be a time of hardship for the Chinese people. As the virus spreads in other countries, similarly draconian measures may be invoked to slow the epidemic. But with these simple precautions, if taken by everybody in your household, building, office, and school, you will dramatically reduce the spread of the virus and bring the outbreak to its knees.
Be safe. Do not panic. Take commonsense precautions. As frightening as this time is, you will get through it.
Laurie Garrett is a former senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations and a Pulitzer Prize winning science writer.
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