California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind

Here is an interesting article regarding differentiating the different denominations of US currency. Any other tips for identifying your cash? https://blog.gao.gov//28/using-money-when-you-cant-see-it/

The Guide Dog Board opposes SB 1331 by Senator Pavley due to consumer protection shortfalls. Read more here: https://t.co/NT2IUFBric

The California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind opposes SB 1331 by Senator Pavley due to consumer protection shortfalls. Read the Board's letter here: http://www.guidedogboard.ca.gov//lawsr/oppose-sb1331.shtml

Board President Eric Holm, his guide dog, Ford, and the Board's Executive Officer, Brian Skewis pose with Guide Dog's for the Blind's CEO and President, Chris Benninger at a recent Guide Dog Day Celebration and Legacy Society Luncheon.

Groundbreaking Settlement to End Discrimination Against Uber Riders Who Use Guide Dogs! https://www.yahoo.com//groundbreaking-settlement-end-discr

Our hearts ache for the family and friends of Lee Shenk who passed away during a puppy delivery trip in Oregon. The Guide Dog Board and the whole community deeply appreciates your years of service to Guide Dogs for the Blind, Lee. Best wishes on a speedy recovery to Anne Touloukian who was also injured in the same accident.

A Message from the President: 9 years ago Ford and I graduated together, from Guide Dogs for the Blind, creating a truly wonderful and life enhancing partnership. It is Thanksgiving and Ford is someone for whom I give thanks everyday. Happy Anniversary my noble friend!!! My special thanks to the Bottom family who raised Ford and to all the breeders, puppy raisers, trainers, instructors, crew, and friends who devote themselves to making this mission possible!!! Happy Thanksgiving. Eric and Ford

Disability Rights Advocates, Rosen, Bien, Galvan & Grunfeld, and TRE Legal have entered into structured settlement negotiations with Lyft, Inc regarding transportation services for disabled riders. STATEMENT TO THE COMMUNITY REGARDING STRUCTURED NEGOTIATIONS WITH LYFT: Advocates for people with disabilities have entered into structured negotiations with Lyft, Inc. to ensure that disabled riders with service animals are ensured access to transportation services offered by Ly...ft drivers. These collaborative efforts are under way between Lyft, Inc. (Lyft), Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), Rosen, Bien, Galvan & Grunfeld (RBGG), and TRE Legal attorneys for several blind persons who have raised concerns regarding access for service animal users. DRA, RBGG, and TRE Legal contacted Lyft to present these concerns after certain community members reported difficulties obtaining rides from drivers on the Lyft platform. Lyft currently has a policy that drivers on their platform accept riders with service animals, but Lyft agreed to work with these advocates to ensure that disabled individuals are not denied rides or provided a lesser quality of service because they use service animals. The parties are hopeful that they can agree on specific new initiatives to improve access to transportation available through the Lyft platform for all riders with disabilities who use service animals. For more information, please contact: Tim Elder [email protected] TRE Legal Practice, LLC 4226 Castanos Street Fremont, CA 94536 410-415-3493 Michael Nunez [email protected] Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP 50 Fremont Street, 19th Floor San Francisco, CA 94105 415-433-6830 Julia Marks [email protected] Disability Rights Advocates 2001 Center Street, 4th Floor Berkeley, CA 94704 510-665-8644 [email protected] See more

Yesterday afternoon, the Department of Justice released new 9-page ADA technical assistance document to further assist covered entities and people with disabilities to understand how the ADA’s service animal provisions apply to them. Check it out here: http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html

Florida state law will change effective July 1 making it a criminal offense to fraudulently hold a dog out as a service animal punishable by up the 6 months in jail and a $500 fine. Here in California, this offense is a misdemeanor with similar punishments. Will more stringent penalties deter the fraudulent use of service dogs? http://www.winknews.com//fl-law-makes-using-fake-service-/

We're happy to announce that Board President Eric Holm (and Ford) have just been reappointed for another 4 years! Congratulations, Eric! http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=18986

National Federation of the Blind of California victorious over #Uber's motion to dismiss their statewide suit for discriminating against #guidedog users. #SF #DisabilityRightsCalifornia http://m.sfgate.com//Judge-rues-that-blind-passengers-can-

Joan Patche, of Sacramento has been appointed to the California Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind. Patche owns and operates four cafés and snack bars in State and Federal buildings in the downtown Sacramento area. Prior to her business ventures, Patche studied French at Stonehill College in North Easton Massachusetts and the Monterey Institute of International Studies where she received her Master’s degree. Joni and her Golden Lab Guide Dog, Amorette, work and play hard.