[nagdu] Access denied- in the news

[Sean Moore]

      "No Dog, No Dog" in Here
          Feb 24, 2009

      URL- http://bainbridgega.com/news/publish/022309sean.shtml Email this article
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"No Dog, No Dog" was what Sean Moore was told when he was blocked from lunch at the Great Wall Buffet in downtown Bainbridge on Saturday.  After a 2 hour walk, Sean decided to stop and have lunch, but was turned away.

Sean is blind, with limited sight, and had his guide dog with him.  He told us that he walked in and an employee blocked his way and "With no understanding of English", told Sean, "No dog, pointing towards the food and then at the front door and then again said No dog."

Sean's reply was simple "Sir this is a guide dog and under the Americans with Disabilities Act, I'm allowed by law to have him in this place."  Sean stated that "with no understanding of English, the guy just pointed at the food, pointed at the front doors and said No Dog."


Sean Moore moved to Bainbridge last December and began working at Georgia Industry for the Blind in January.  He told us he had never had a problem like this happen before.

Sean left, called Public Safety, and explained the problem to the officer.  The officer went in to speak to the restaurant owner.  Sean stated the officer came out and told him "I just spoke with my boss, and he said since its a privately owned business, there's nothing we can do."

     1 minute video of Sean and Virginia Harris  


The Americans with Disabilities Act requires businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed.

Public Safety Director Larry Funderburke became aware of the problem on Monday morning.  He told us that the officer was correct, that they could not force the establishment to serve Sean Moore.  He stated that was a matter Sean would have to pursue.

Chief Funderburke was concerned his officers were not as aware of the law as they should be.  He stated that Public Safety training Officer Ryan Wimberly forwarded a copy of State Code, Section 30-4-2, to each shift Captain.  Each Captain was instructed to assure all their officers were knowledgeable of the law.

The State Code makes it irrefutably clear that a person accompanied by a guide or service dog must be accommodated as any other person would be.

Virginia Harris, of BAIN, Bainbridge Advocacy Individual Network, appeared incredulous that someone would refuse service because of a guide dog.  She stated that BAIN is there to help and to educate, saying they would be happy to hold sessions with any business regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Sean Moore stated he hopes this can be resolved without being forced to take other measures.



Yours,
Sean Moore &
Southeastern Guide Dog, Franklin

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