[Blindtlk] Confronting Discrimination at McDonald's

Sun Jul 13 15:58:27 UTC 2014

When I was president of our local chapter in Tacoma several years ago, we 
had a few incidents where owners of Asian restaurants would not allow 
service animals.  However, once I had a chance to talk to them and explain 
our laws, all apologized, saying they did not know.  Learning the laws 
should be part of the requirements when getting a city license, so really, 
the city should be in on this as well.

Judy

-----Original Message----- 
From: cheryl echevarria via blindtlk
Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2014 8:29 AM
To: Sherry Gomes ; 'Julie J.' ; BlindTalk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Confronting Discrimination at McDonald's

Many will never have to worry about this, but with the issues like what 
Marion and Merry went through which is becoming more and more of an issue 
with the ever changing patchwork quilt of America.
>From many more Americans who are not born here like from the South American 
and Caribbean Countries to those that live in Asia areas, where many people 
are lucky to come here for a better life. May not understand our laws, and 
we have to educate them.
I am married to a Puerto Rican, and live in a very Hispanic and Haitian area 
of Long Island, NY; and we are lucky that we belong to our Chamber of 
Commerce and other local community organizations whether for business or 
other community issues here. That I have been able to speak not only to the 
community, but will be having a presentation in the fall with the business 
owners that belong to our Chamber of Commerce about Service Animals and 
people with disabilities as a whole.
Many of the people coming from other countries still put there disabled 
families in homes, or worse. so when we come into stores they do 
discriminate because they think we don't have money to spend and/or other 
issues.
Also the people who start businesses from other countries do not even speak 
English, if you are going to have a business or be in a managerial position, 
you should speak English as well, that is the fault of McDonald's with this 
situation.  They also do not know about the ADA period.
So if you do not have these issues yet, and you may never have them. As was 
stated in video they knew how to handle the situation it was more of 
frustration that they are customers of this establishment and work with 
McDonald on a regular basis that this could happen, but it did.

Cheryl Echevarria, President
National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division
A proud division of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life 
you want"www.nfbtravel.org
631-236-5138
cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the 
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the 
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles 
between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want; 
blindness is not what holds you back.

Cheryl Echevarria is also the owner of Echevarria Travel 
www.echevarriatravel.com; 631-456-5394 or reservations at echevarriatravel.com 
and  has partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com for all her 
braille needs.  Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama

> To: julielj at neb.rr.com; blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 06:34:37 -0600
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Confronting Discrimination at McDonald's
> From: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>
> I'm like you Julie, and I've been working with guide dogs since 1975. I've
> rarely had an access issue and never been absolutely refused. I've had to
> explain the dog is a service dog, and long ago before I knew better, I had
> to show my GDB ID card one time. I don't know why I haven't had issues
> whereas others I know seem to have issues somewhat frequently.  Well, 
> except
> for taxis. I had a lot of issues with cabs when I lived in Washington 
> state
> by a particular cab company and had one cab leave me in san Rafael of all
> places. But for the most part in nearly 40 years, it hasn't been a 
> problem.
>
> Sherry
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J.
> via blindtlk
> Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2014 6:28 AM
> To: Lauren Merryfield; Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Confronting Discrimination at McDonald's
>
> Lauren,
>
> I've had guide dogs for over ten years and I have never had an access 
> issue
> related to them.  I'm not sure if they have been more adorable than the
> average guide, (that's a joke!), I come off as scary to people, people 
> like
> dogs where ever I go, or people are just that up to date on the law where 
> I
> live.  I've had people ask if he's a service dog, which is entirely 
> allowed
> by law.  Once I was asked for ID, but a brief conversation got that
> straightened out.  I've had employees go consult the manager about the dog
> in the store, but the manager reassured them it was okay and all was well.
>
> If it helps I live in the rural Midwest.  Generally when I travel, which 
> is
> fairly frequently, it is to other smallish Midwest towns.    Some people
> seem to have a lot more access issues though.  I wish I could tell you 
> what
> the common denominator is, but I haven't figured it out yet.  But if you 
> are
>
> considering a guide and the only thing stopping you is the possible access
> issues, that may not necessarily be a problem for you.
>
> Just something to think about,
> Julie
>
>
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