Welcome to NAGDU

A Proud Division of The National Federation of the Blind

The National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) is a division of the National federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest organization of the blind in the United States. Founded in 1940 the National Federation of the Blind has grown to over 50,000 members, with Affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. In addition to more than 750 local Chapters, the NFB has a number of special interest Divisions that were formed to address the concerns of specific populations within the blind community. The National Association of Guide Dog Users is one such division.

The National Association of Guide Dog Users is an organization for blind people who currently use guide dogs as mobility tools, those considering getting a guide dog, or those who want to learn more about the use of such dogs. We provide a forum for those interested in the guide dog movement to discuss common issues and to increase opportunities for those who have chosen to use a guide dog for independent travel. NAGDU works to promote sound practices in the training and use of such dogs for mobility by offering input and advice to guide dog training programs. We are also committed to educating business owners, law enforcement officers, and the general public about state and federal laws that give disabled people the right to be accompanied by their guide dogs. For more specific information about guide dogs, you may click on the links below or get in touch with us at

National Association of Guide Dog Users
National Federation of the Blind
813-626-2789
800-558-8261
info@nfb-nagdu.org

Information About Guide Dogs

There are many misconceptions about blindness and guide dog use. Here you can get accurate information from blind guide dog users themselves.

Guide Dog Access Legislation

Even before the first guide dog was matched with its blind handler, those who began the guide dog movement in the United States understood that, in order to allow blind people to reap the full benefit of a well-trained guide dog, it was important that the public be educated about the usefulness of these animals to their blind owners and that those who owned, or operated public establishments or who provided public transportation allow blind individuals to be accompanied by their guide dogs. The National Federation of the Blind was on the forefront to have laws passed to protect the rights of blind individuals to enter such places of business, and to use public transportation with their guide dogs. As the result of our efforts, every state has laws that provide legal remedies for denying or interfering with a blind person’s access to places where the public is invited. In most states, violations are criminal offenses. There is also a Federal law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. More recently, legislation has been adopted by a number of states to provide that service animal users whose dogs are harmed or killed by other people or animals due to the negligence of others. The National Federation of the Blind and NAGDU worked diligently to have such laws passed in all 50 States and in the District of Columbia. Similar laws were adopted in Canada and are now being passed in other countries throughout the World. NAGDU works diligently to assist those whose civil rights have been violated.

Here you will find a comprehensive summary of the laws of every state. In some cases, you may even be able to read the actual text of these laws. We have also provided the laws of several other countries for those who travel outside the U.S. If you can help this service by sending us the text of a law, please send it to webmaster@nfb-nagdu.org.

Dynamic Presentations

NAGDU provides speakers for a variety of groups, including local civic organizations, schools, community associations, and professional organizations on an array of topics dealing with blindness and guide dog use.

Advocacy and Support

The National Association of Guide Dog Users provides advocacy and support to those who need information about state & federal access legislation or who feel they may have been discriminated against in access to a place of business, housing, or employment.

Membership Information

We invite anyone interested in issues of guide dog use to join our Association to further our work. Becoming a member of NAGDU is easy, and we want to extend an invitation to you to join an organization on the cutting edge of issues of major concern to guide dog users throughout the World. Joining the National Association of guide Dog Users also makes you a member of the National Federation of the Blind.

Harness Up

Harness Up, the magazine of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, contains articles and information of interest to guide dog users, as well as information about the activities of NAGDU and the National Federation of the Blind. It features articles written by those associated with the guide dog movement and the National Federation of the Blind. Articles have appeared in Harness Up from contributors in the U.S. and abroad. Information about making submissions and an archive of issues of Harness Up can be found here!

NAGDU’s E-mail Discussion List

NAGDU sponsors an e-mail discussion list to exchange information with others about guide dog use. This list fosters a sense of community among guide dog users, those interested in learning more about becoming a guide dog handler, guide dog trainers, and puppy raisers, as well as a means to share experiences with others in the guide dog movement worldwide.

Guide Dog Training Programs

Over the years NAGDU has played an important part in helping to promote the training and use of guide dogs by the blind in a variety of situations. NAGDU HAS worked with various guide dog training schools to raise awareness of the availability of guide dogs to blind people and to ensure that those wanting a guide dog receive the best possible training in the care and use of these animals.

As a Division of the National Federation of the Blind, NAGDU provides a forum for guide dog users, seeks too promote a positive philosophy of blindness, and acts as advocates for blind people who use guide dogs. NAGDU works to fulfill the stated goal of the National Federation of the Blind: The integration of the blind into society on terms of equality with the sighted.

NAGDU'S Annual Meetings

The National Association of Guide Dog Users holds its business Meeting during the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind. Those who attend receive the latest information regarding the training and use of guide dogs, the latest news of NAGDU's advocacy and educational activities, and set the priorities for projects and outreach for the year ahead. This is an opportunity for both active and prospective guide dog users to network with others with similar interests. These can include is a guide dog right for me, where to go for guide dog training, The care, and use of a guide dog, how to handle denials of entry in to public places accompanied by a guide dog, veterinary care, the retirement of a guide dog, and the adjustment to a new dog when a guide can no longer work. These are a sample of the many topics shared by guide dog users at these gatherings.

State Affiliate NAGDU Divisions

A number of NFB state affiliates have established NAGDU divisions which carry on the work of NAGDU in their respective states. If you would like to get involved with NAGDU at its state or national level, please get in touch with us by writing to

Marion Gwizdala, President
813-626-2789
800-558-8261
president@nfb-nagdu.org

Join the NAGDU Discussion Group

Another way to network with those interested in guide dog users and those interested in issues of guide dog use is through our email List hosted by the NFB. The list is called NAGDU and provides an on-line forum for blind persons, whether they are guide dog users or not, to share their thoughts, concerns, and successes with other guide dog users. To subscribe select the link above.

NAGDU’s Board of Directors

Contact information for NAGDU's Board members currently serving can be accessed by following the link above. Any of these individuals can further assist you with your guide dog, and NAGDU-related concerns.

National Federation of The Blind

To learn more about the National Federation of the Blind and it's work visit the NFB's Home page. Or you can contact the NFB by using the information given below:

National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Phone: (410) 659-9314

NFB Net

You will also find many useful resources including articles and other material of interest to the blind, hardware and software manuals, electronic books, software demos, and other items of interest at the NFB Net World-Wide Web Site.

For further information about The National Association of Guide Dog Users and its activities, please contact

Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users
National Federation of the Blind
1003 Papaya Drive
Tampa, Florida 33619
(813) 626-2789
(800) 558-8261
president@nfb-nagdu.org

Guide Dog Web Site Links

A vast amount of information about guide dogs and their use is in an abundance on the Internet. If you don't find the specific information you are seeking on this site, perhaps you will find what you are looking for here!

For more information, contact

Marion Gwizdala
President
National Association of Guide Dog Users
(813) 626-2789
president@nfb-nagdu.org