California State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind - 2012 Year-End ...

STATE BOARD OF GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLINDREVIEW2012BY ANTONETTE SORRICK, EXECUTIVE OFFICER

STATE BOARD OF GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLINDPRESIDENT: Eric HolmVICE PRESIDENT: Tom ScottSECRETARY: Joe XavierBOARD MEMBERS: Belinda Barragan, Jeff Neidich, Larry Grable1625 North Market Boulevard, Suite S-202Sacramento, CA 95834916.574.7825www.guidedogboard.ca.gov13-019 (02/13)[re]view 2012 2

2012 IN REVIEW2012 was an exciting year for the State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind. TheBoard held two meetings and two committee/task force meetings; updatedresource materials, including best practice etiquette tips for guide dog teamsin restaurants, and held Guide Dog Day 2012, at which the Board announced apartnership with the California Restaurant Association.HERE IS A BRIEF LOOK AT OUR ACTIVITIES IN 201213-019 (02/13)[re]view 2012 3

“In 2012, the Board published adonor statement for use by theguide dog schools and BetterBusiness Bureaus to promotedonation to licensed guide dogschools; embarked on an etiquettecampaign in partnership with theCalifornia Restaurant Associationto help educate restaurateursabout guide dog teams; andprovided overall outreach to ourlicensees and consumers.”—Joe Xavier, ChairOutreach and Education CommitteeOUTREACH ACTIVITIESBoard members and staff attended the following conferences:California Council of the Blind Spring Convention(Board Secretary Joe Xavier)National Federation of the Blind California/California Association of Guide DogUsers Fall Convention(Board Secretary Joe Xavier)Accessible World — Web-based Interview(Board President Eric Holm and Executive Officer Antonette Sorrick)“Curb to Curb — Crossing Communication Street” — Guide Dog Day 2012(Speakers included Anne Touloukian (puppy raiser), Teal Knapp (guide dog instructor),Jay Harris (guide dog user), Daniel Conway (California Restaurant Association), andAssemblyman Michael Allen. All Board members and staff attended.13-019 (02/13)[re]view 2012 4

““This year, the Board prepared forsunset review. We acknowledgesunset review as an accountabilityfeature to keep regulatory boardshonest, efficient and responsive toits stakeholders. We look forwardto working with the Committeein the coming months.—Tom Scott”Chair, Legislative CommitteeAs a Licensed Guide Dog Instructorand Chair of the Practice Task Force,I have appreciated the opportunityto be involved with the process ofrecommending changes to statutesand regulations that allows theguide dog profession to continueto be current with internationaltraining standards and responsiveto the needs of our consumers.– Kathy KellyChair, Practice Task Force”LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND ADVOCACYApril 2012: The Board promulgated regulations to establish a citation-and-fineprogram for licensed schools and guide dog instructors and clarified practicedefinitions, including adding definitions for the terms “guide dog,” “client,” “guidedog team,” “instructor,” “apprentice,” and “instruction.” The regulatory action wasmade effective on May 16, 2012.September 2012: A regulatory package seeking to amend sections 2268.2and 2271 of the Business and Professions Code was submitted to the Office ofAdministrative Law. These amendments would add verification of submission ofrequisite documents be sent by the guide dog school to the Office of the AttorneyGeneral and make more specific requirements for the conditions of a guide dogschool dormitory and dog kennel.Also in 2012: The Board submitted its Sunset Review report to the Senate Business,Professions and Economic Committee. A copy of the report is available online athttp://www.guidedogboard.ca.gov/about/index.shtml. The Board also submitted alegislative proposal to make non-substantive changes to Business and ProfessionsCode section 7206, eliminating the Board Members from the guide dog instructorexamination review panel and removing reference to “seeing eye dog” (section 7210).13-019 (02/13)[re]view 2012 5

“LOOKING AHEADIn 2013, the Board looksforward to its ongoing etiquettecampaign with the CaliforniaRestaurant Association. We alsolook forward to the results ofthe sunset review process. Wewill continue to strive to betterimprove the Board’s functionsand maintain excellent customerservice to our stakeholders.– Eric HolmBoard President”LICENSING/EXAMINATIONSThe Board held two examinations resulting in three new guide dog instructors.WEB SITETotal Web site hits for 2012 equaled 348,656 with tips on dog attacks on guide dogsas the most viewed page at 8,525 hits. Our Web site continues to be updated withinformation on State and Federal laws and regulations. It includes a license lookupfeature, which allows employers and consumers to search for the license status of aschool or guide dog instructor. Check it out at www.guidedogboard.ca.gov.We also continue to update stakeholder-specific pages for consumers, applicants,apprentices, and licensees.13-019 (02/13)[re]view 2012 6