New Jersey earned a C+ from Morristown-based The Seeing Eye, the nation’s first and most recognized guide dog school.
The State of Access Report Card, released this week, is a first-of-its-kind, data-driven ranking of every US state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico on how well they protect the rights of people who work with service dogs to travel independently and live without compromising their freedom.
The report card grades each jurisdiction, combining legal analysis, government transparency data, enforcement, and real-world handler experiences. Scores are then used to rank them from 1 to 52, offering a comprehensive public accounting of service dog access protections.
California earned the top ranking and an overall grade of A-. Only one other state, Alaska, earned an A grade.
The report establishes a baseline as the first comprehensive, state-by-state measure of service dog handlers’ rights, designed to be updated and built upon in the years ahead, according to a release.
As the home of The Seeing Eye, Morristown remains the global epicenter for guide dog training and advocacy. The organization is encouraging New Jersey residents and business owners to download the advocacy app and review the “State of Access” data to ensure the Garden State continues to serve as a model for inclusion.
The full report card, including detailed grades for every state, can be found at www.seeingeye.org/stateofaccess.
