At its annual national convention in Pittsburgh, Pa., ACB members adopted the following resolution by an overwhelming majority:
American Council of the Blind Resolution 2003-6
Whereas, the use of a guide dog as an effective mobility aid is a legitimate choice for a person who is blind or visually impaired; and
Whereas, applicable federal disability rights laws guarantee access for persons using guide dogs in public programs; and
Whereas, American Council of the Blind Resolution 1979-09 represents a 24-year commitment opposing discrimination against guide dog users by service providers; and
Whereas, agencies continue to engage in unlawful discrimination against guide dog users; and
Whereas, this unlawful practice was demonstrated by the actions of the Iowa Department for the Blind in refusing to provide program access to on-site rehabilitation services to Ms. Stephanie Dohmen because she intended to use her guide dog while training at the Iowa Orientation Center for the Blind; and
Whereas, Guide Dog Users, Incorporated, with the support of numerous guide dog schools, filed a complaint with the United States Department of Justice on Ms. Dohmen's behalf; and
Whereas, it is the affirmative duty of the American Council of the Blind to advocate for the civil rights of guide dog users;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled this 9th day of July, 2003, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., that this organization instructs its officers and board of directors to send a letter to the United States Department of Justice, within 30 days of the adoption of this resolution, in support of the complaint of Guide Dog Users, Inc., and
Be it further resolved, henceforth, that the leadership of this organization make decisions and take actions that recognize the right of guide dogs and their handlers to unhindered access to public programs, services and facilities.
As a result, the American Council of the Blind sent the following letter to the U.S. Department of Justice.
July 25, 2003
United States Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530
Messrs.,
On November 26, 2002, Guide Dog Users, Incorporated, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, filed a complaint on behalf of Ms. Stephanie Dohmen of Des Moines, Iowa against that state's Department for the Blind for unfair discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Simply put, the complaint alleged violation of these laws by the department's deliberate denial of Ms. Dohmen's participation in a program of rehabilitation for which she was qualified, to which she was referred and into which she was initially accepted by the Department for the Blind until she arrived with a guide dog and consequently was denied services.
The American Council of the Blind hereby states its strong support for the enforcement of these laws in the situation described in the complaint and urges the Department of Justice to investigate this matter promptly and thoroughly as prelude to such enforcement.
You may direct your response to me as ACB Executive Director at the address above, and please accept my thanks in advance for your timely attention to this letter.
Sincerely,
Charles H. Crawford
Executive Director