The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF Guide Dog Users, (NAGDU)

Thank you for visiting our new home on the World-Wide Web. We're proud to be a part of the nation's 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 local chapters and state affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Besides our local chapters, and state affiliates the NFB has a number of special interest divisions which were formed to address the concerns of specific populations of blind consumers. The National Association of Guide Dog Users is one such division. We are a forum for guide dog users that currently use a guide dog to travel independently, or those considering getting a guide dog, or who want to learn more about the use of such dogs and the guide dog movement in general. We provide a forum to permit 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, as well as to promote sound practices in the training and use of such dogs for mobility. We also promote various guide dog training programs and to enlighten both the general public, guide dog users, and the blind ingeneral to the special access legislation allowing a blind person to enter public places accompanied by their guide dogs. Some of NAGDU's projects include:

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 wide variety of situations, working with various guide dog training schools to raise awareness of the availability of guide dogs to blind people wanting them, and to ensure that those desiring such dogs receive the best possible training in the care and use of these animals.

Membership Information

We invite anyone interested in helping us strengthin our division to join us 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.

The NAGDU Mentoring Program:

NAGDU operates a mentoring program to assist potential guide dog users in making the decision to use a guide dog for increased independence, and to provide encouragement for new guide dog users, and for those dealing with access and other issues associated with the use of such dogs. This along with the NAGDU Discussion Group are ways to foster a sense of community among guide dog users, guide dog training facilities, guide dog puppy raisers, and thanks to the awesome power of the Internet a means to share experiences with others in the guide dog movement World-wide. More information about this program can be found elsewhere on this site. This feature will be enhanced in the months ahead as we will make it possible for anyone wanting to become involved with mentoring other guide dog users wherever they are to enroll on-line. Further information will be available when the facilities are installed to allow us to make this service available to those wanting to participate.

Guide Dog Access Legislation:

From the beginning those who began the guide dog movement here in the United States understood that in order to allow blind people to reep the full benefit of the use of such dogs it was important that the public be educated as to the usefulness of these animals to their blind owners, and that the willingness of those who owned, or operated public establishments, or who provided public transportation allow blind individuals to enter their establishments, or use their transit services accompanied by their guide dogs. Early on laws were passed in various states to protect the rights of blind individuals to enter such places of business, and to use public transportation with their guide dogs. Since that time Federal laws have been passed making it illegal to deny a blind person and their guide dog such access. More recently legislation has been adopted by a number of states to ensure that guide dog users whose dogs are harmed or killed by other people or animals receive compensation for the loss of such dogs, and to assist them in replacing a beloved guide dog due to the neglagence 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 to demand the enforcement of access legislation governing the use of guide dogs in public facilities, and to promote the adoption of new legislation when necessary. In as far as we know while a number of guide dog schools, and organizations of and for the blind have included copies of these laws for the United States on their Web Sites in as far as we know there is no where where you can research the guide dog access laws for not just the U.S. and Canada, but for other countries which now have such laws. NAGDU via it's World-Wide Web Site seeks to fulfill this need. We are proud to launch this service that some feel has been needed for many years. We are pleased to offer this service to the blind of the World; specifically to the guide dog community.

Being a Division of the National Federation of the Blind NAGDU provides a forum for guide dog users and seeks too promote a positive phillosophy of blindness and the use of such dogs by blind individuals. By doing this NAGDU works to fulfill the over-all goal of the National Federation of the Blind to integrate the blind in to society on a basis of equallity with the sighted.

The National Association of Guide Dog Users meets during the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. At these meetings plans are made, and goals are set for what the Organization plans to accomplish in the year ahead. Any blind person be they active guide dog users, or those interested in the issues and concerns of guide dog users, or are considering getting a guide dog for their own use are encouraged to attend and to participate in NAGDU's activities.

Harness Up:

Harness Up, NAGDU's Newsletter, 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. Further information and an archive of ASCII, and E-Braille editions of Harness Up can be found elsewhere on this site.

NAGDU'S Annual Meetings

The National Association of Guide Dog Users holds it's 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 by the blind, and news of NAGDU's activities during the past year, and to set the adgenda for projects and outreach activities for the year ahead. Other popular events hosted by NAGDU include the, "Making an Informed Choice" Seminars also held during the NFB National Convention. This is an opportunity for both active, and prospective guide dog users to dialog with other seminar attendies on various matters of concern to them. 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, and the retirement of a guide dog as well as the adjustment to a new dog when a beloved guide can no longer work. This is just a sample of the many topics shared by guide dog users at these gatherings. Besides the annual national NAGDU meetings a number of NFB state affiliates have established state NAGDU divisions who carry on the work of NAGDU in their respective states.

The NAGDU Web Site is one more form of outreach to the guide dog community. Visit us regularly as new and exciting content will be added and updated.

Join the NAGDU Discussion Group:

Still another way to reach guide dog users and their friends is through our List hosted by NFB Net. The list is called NAGDU and provides an on-line forum for blind persons be they guide dog users or not to share their thoughts, concerns, and successes with other guide dog users. To subscribe select the link above.

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're wanting about the use of these dogs by the blind on this site perhaps you'll find what you're looking for from one of the many links to be found in our Guide Dog Links area of this web site.

Division Officers

Contact information for NAGDU's Division officers 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:

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 it's activities you can reach the NAGDU President, Priscilla Ferris. She will be more than glad to assist you in any way she can with guide dog-related matters. Her contact information appears below:

Thank you for visiting our home on the World-Wide Web. We'll be adding new and exciting enhancements to this web site in the future. We are the Nation's blind speaking with one voice, and together we're changing what it means to be blind.