[blindlaw] Discriminating Signs

[ckrugman at sbcglobal.net]

as usual I'm behind in emails but these would be the strongest arguments 
against the sign. It is important to note that under the ADA a person cannot 
be forced to identify with a disability or accept services and a disability 
is confidential even if it is an obvious one to the public.
Chuck
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <AZNOR99 at aol.com>
To: <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2011 5:22 PM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Discriminating Signs


> You might be able to argue that by placing the sign, the Village is
> providing a reasonable accommodation (a weak argument though) and that you 
> have
> the right to refuse a reasonable accommodation under the ADA.  You might
> also be able to argue that by erecting such a sign, the Village is 
> violating
> your right to confidentiality under the ADA (also a weak argument).
>
> I suggest you contact Shawn Mayo, Executive Director at BLIND, Inc.  I
> believe that the City of Minneapolis recently put up signs similar to 
> yours
> near  the training center, but Shawn, her staff, and the affilliate
> successfully  advocated to get them removed. Shawn's email address is
> _smayo at blindinc.org_ (mailto:smayo at blindinc.org) .
>
> Good luck,
> Ronza
>
>
> In a message dated 9/11/2011 7:53:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> billreif at ameritech.net writes:
>
> I don't  know in what manner the sign can be said to discriminate.  I'm
> sure  that whoever put it up has the mistaken belief that drivers in the
> area  may be more cautious about hitting you.
>
> There is nevertheless much  objectionable about such a sign.  It
> signifies that you are owed some  special degree of care, and can't look
> out for yourself.  Of more  concern is the message such a sign would send
> criminals of various  sorts.  Were I a criminal, I would relish the
> opportunity to wait for  someone who can't visually identify me.  I could
> thus sneak in behind  them to do whatever I cared to with them or their
> property; and they would  have no way of picking me out of a lineup or
> even providing a description  in the absence of other witnesses.  Please
> demand that the City  remove its inadvertent way of making you a  target.
>
> cordially,
> Bill
>
>
> On 9/11/2011 5:02 PM, Leslie  Fairall wrote:
>> Hello:
>>
>> I have moved to the state of  Rhode Island to take another position.
>> I'm renting a single family  residence and have lived here for a month.
>>
>> To my horror, the  town of Cranston has erected a sign that says "blind
>> person" directly  across the street from my home. I would not have
>> known this if a  friend of mine who picks me up for church hadn't told
>> me. It is a  bright yellow sign with black lettering.
>>
>> I will be contacting  City Hall both by phone and in writing to have
>> the sign removed. I  have a few questions.
>>
>>
>> 1. Would this be considered  discrimination under the Americans with
>> Disabilities or some other  act?
>> 2. Is singling out a person because of disability a form of
>> discrimination? My knee-jerk reaction is yes, but I want to get the
>> facts straight.
>> 3. What is a reasonable timeframe to request  that the sign be removed?
>> In my rough draft, I stated seven  days.
>>
>> 4. Are their any other points I should make that would  strongly
>> encourage them to remove the sign?
>>
>> Thanks  for any and all advice.
>>
>>
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>
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