[nagdu] working with local health departments

[Marion & Martin]

Jenine,
    I have spoken with the Health Department in Tampa on a few occasions and 
they once sent me their materials. It has been awhile, so I don't remember 
all of the details, but I recall they had some specific language in their 
publication regarding service animals in restaurants. I think it would be 
good for us to check with some of our county Health Departments to see what 
sort of information they distribute regarding service animals in 
restaurants. I will take the lead and do so again in tampa!

Fraternally yours,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jenine Stanley" <jeninems at wowway.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 4:30 PM
Subject: [nagdu] working with local health departments


> Have any of the NAGDU affiliates, or NAGDU at the national level, 
> undertaken
> educational projects with local health departments regarding restaurant
> regulations versus public access regs?
>
> I ask because I'm sure we've all encountered situations where restaurant
> staff cite health department regs as a reason for denial of entry. We all
> know this is usually a gross misunderstanding of the regs regarding 
> animals
> around food and is usually a result of poor staff training.I wonder though
> if local health departments provide any information about service animals
> and public access when discussing animals around food? I vaguely recall 
> some
> local health departments, and I want to say it was in the Orlando area 
> when
> I lived down there, that did include this type of info in educational
> materials but that would have been over 15 years ago now.
>
> I also have experienced, and have certainly heard lots of anecdotes,
> restaurant staff who will not even believe the police regarding access 
> laws.
> They will only trust the word of a health inspector. This is one reason 
> why
> it might be good to have a dialog with local health inspectors so they can
> convey the difference between animals around food and service animal
> handlers with public access rights.
> Jenine Stanley
> jeninems at wowway.com
>
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