 |
Home Page
Progress Report
About the Build
About the Bike
About IAMAW
About GDA
Contact
|
The International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers, the I.A.M.A.W., is a large union representing 730,000 members across North America that is active in more than 200 basic industries as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor. It maintains one or more agreements with almost every major employer in the U.S.A. and Canada.
Goals of the I.A.M.A.W. include: raising wage rates to correspond with the rising costs of living, ensuring equal pay for equal work regardless of sex, race, or national origin, providing a safe and healthy workplace, and securing benefits such as paid sick leave, medical coverage, and retirement/pension funds.
The I.A.M.A.W. is a strong supporter of Guide Dogs of America and is proud of their role in the founding of our school. We offer our special thanks to the I.A.M.A.W. for their part in founding our organization and for their continued generosity and dedication since 1948.
OUR HISTORY TOGETHER
 Guide Dogs of America was founded over 50 years ago by Joseph Jones, Sr. with the help of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Shown in the picture to the left with his guide dog Lucy, he was a retired member of the I.A.M.A.W.
When Mr. Jones became blind, he considered all his options and decided his mobility needs would best be met by using a guide dog. He applied to all the existing schools, but he was declined because of his "advanced age". He was only 57 years old.
Mr. Jones was a determined man and "no" was not a word in his vocabulary. He turned to the I.A.M. for help, soliciting assistance from the I.A.M.'s Executive Council. The I.A.M. Executive council conducted extensive research, determined there was a growing need for guide dog services, and therefore endorsed the founding of International Guiding Eyes (I.G.E.) In 1948. The I.A.M.A.W. continues to be a generous supporter and staunch advocate of the school's mission today.
I.G.E. was one of the first guide dog schools to be founded by a blind individual. It was also one of the first schools to adopt a policy of no upper age discrimination.
In 1992, International Guiding Eyes changed their "doing-business-as" name to Guide Dogs of America in an effort to communicate more clearly the services provided by the organization. Now the organization operates under the name Guide Dogs of America as an International Guiding Eyes Program. Today Guide Dogs of America seeks new and better ways of helping the blind community.
|
|