[nagdu] Blind Brockton woman says Seeing Eye dog notallowedintorestaurant

Marion Gwizdala blind411 at verizon.net
Sun Jun 13 09:37:20 UTC 2010


Kathryn and All,
    Just for your information, the provisions of the ADA do not apply to 
churches.

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cathryn Bonnette" <cathrynisfinally at verizon.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2010 9:45 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Brockton woman says Seeing Eye dog 
notallowedintorestaurant


> In response to the observation of guide dog access in Chinese restaurants, 
> I
> have recently attended an ethnic Chinese church with experiences of
> acceptance and interest. A church congregation has potentially even more
> opportunities to discourage guide dog users from attending services or
> events than a restaurant. While the public is admitted to a church, social
> exclusion can be an informal barrier. The Chinese folks I encountered are
> teaching their children about guide dogs as they encounter Abby, my 50 lb.
> German Shepherd from Seeing Eye. I have deliberately relaxed my usual 
> rules
> to allow them to touch and pet her as she sits in harness so they will not
> be afraid, and have a positive association. These are toddlers and
> preschoolers. To the few older kids, I explain the rules about the harness
> being her "work uniform" etc. I have not always had such positive
> experiences particularly in churches- but don't get me started!/smile/.  I
> am a Christian, and I relate to that world-wide group of people who have 
> in
> common changed lives by their faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the living
> savior.  That said, some of my "relatives" embarrass me thoroughly by 
> their
> actions and attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Referring to
> disability issues, a friend told me, "Basically, there are 2 broad types 
> of
> people in the world, those who accept persons with disabilities as equal
> human beings, and those who exclude and scape goat them at every
> opportunity." I think there is a middle ground even in that dichotomy.
> My point is that as with any particular group of human beings sharing a
> commonality, race, ethnicity, belief system, etc.  context is important 
> and
> stereotypes don't always fit. I guess I just want to contribute another
> viewpoint on Chinese people.
>
> Thanks for listening-
> Cathryn (& Abby)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of cheryl echevarria
> Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2010 10:02 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Brockton woman says Seeing Eye dog
> notallowedintorestaurant
>
> We also have to remember for whatever reason here, is that I am not 
> picking
> on anyone, but I have found it primarily to the the Chinese restaurants in
> my area, when I first got maxx that I had issues with, accept the girls 
> from
>
> a Spanish country, who were not management and lied that the management 
> said
>
> my dog couldn't come in the restaurant, were finally fired very recently 
> in
> fact for doing it again to another person who had a service animal who
> wasn't blind, but had an assist dog with them.
>
> As I was saying it seems like the Chinese restaurants seem to have issues
> with them, there maybe others out there I am sure, but for the most part
> that is what I am finding, until, of course, I have other issues.
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> Independent Travel Consultant
> C10-10646
>
> http://Echevarriatravel.com
> 1-866-580-5574
>
> http://blog.echevarriatravel.com
> Reservations at echevarriatravel.com
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Montrose Travel 
> CST-1018299-10
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2010 9:57 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Brockton woman says Seeing Eye dog 
> notallowedinto
>
> restaurant
>
>
>> That would be a worth while article to read as well. Thanks for updating
>> us
>> Buddy.
>>
>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>> CEO/Founder
>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>> New York, New York  10004
>> www.myblindspot.org
>> PH: 917-553-0347
>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who 
>> is
>> doing it."
>>
>>
>> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf
>> Of Buddy Brannan
>> Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2010 9:32 AM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Brockton woman says Seeing Eye dog not
>> allowedinto restaurant
>>
>> I just saw an update to this article. Apparently the owners of the
>> restaurant went out to this woman's house, in person, and apologized. 
>> They
>> have further suspended the employee in question for a week without pay,
>> and
>> they have pledged a donation to the Seeing Eye. Sounds like they really
>> want
>> to make amends to me.
>> --
>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jun 12, 2010, at 8:43 AM, Cathryn Bonnette wrote:
>>
>> > I have a simple approach for such incidents. I explain to the employee
>> that
>> > my guide dog is my eyes and is protected by law. If they insist we
>> > cannot
>> be
>> > served, I ask for the manager. Once I confirm that the manager is also
>> > refusing us service, I quietly ask, "Would you like to call the police,
>> > or
>> > shall I call them?" In most cases, this question alerts them to the 
>> > fact
>> > that they are wrong. In 2 out of many incidents, either a manager or I
>> have
>> > called police who talk directly to management about the law, 
>> > reinforcing
>> > what I have explained.  The result is that we are served excellently,
>> often
>> > with apologies. Also, the rights of all dog users are protected.  I am
>> > convinced that each single incident is important because guide dog 
>> > users
>> are
>> > a triple minority- disabled people are a minority, blindness is a
>> > minority
>> > of that group, and guide dog users are a minority of blind people. We
>> > have
>> > to support each other on access issues, or the law becomes ineffective,
>> and
>> > we all lose.
>> > (OK, I'm stepping off my "soapbox". It's early Saturday morning- time
>> > for
>> a
>> > cup of coffee! Happy Saturday everyone!
>> >
>> > Cathryn (& Abby)
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> > Behalf
>> > Of Mark J. Cadigan
>> > Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010 8:22 PM
>> > To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> > Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Brockton woman says Seeing Eye dog not
>> > allowedintorestaurant
>> >
>> > There must be some sort of way to teach the general public about guide
>> > dog
>>
>> > access legislation. The Patriot Ledger is my home town news paper and I
>> live
>> >
>> > a few miles away from the area where this incident took place. Brockton
>> > MA
>>
>> > is an interesting town to say the least. This man referred to might not
>> > understand American law. This might partly explain this incident.
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message ----- 
>> > From: "Ginger Kutsch" <gingerKutsch at yahoo.com>
>> > To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>> > <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> > Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010 10:01 AM
>> > Subject: [nagdu] Blind Brockton woman says Seeing Eye dog not allowed
>> > intorestaurant
>> >
>> >
>> >> Blind Brockton woman says Seeing Eye dog not allowed into
>> >> restaurant
>> >> By Maria Papadopoulos
>> >> ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
>> >> Posted Jun 11, 2010 @ 01:38 AM
>> >>
>> >> BROCKTON, MASS.  - Claire Crowell says she could not see the man
>> >> who refused to let her Seeing Eye dog accompany her into a city
>> >> restaurant.
>> >>
>> >> She could only hear him - and his words stunned her.
>> >>
>> >> "He said, 'I don't care, you can't come in here with the dog,'"
>> >> Crowell, 69, said while standing next to the dog, Vixen, in the
>> >> kitchen of her Brockton home Thursday afternoon.
>> >>
>> >> Crowell said she and a friend went to the Chinatown restaurant on
>> >> Oak Street Extension on Wednesday for lunch.
>> >>
>> >> When she walked inside with Vixen, she said a male employee told
>> >> her she could come in, but to leave the dog outside.
>> >>
>> >> Crowell said she told the employee that federal law allows her to
>> >> bring a guide dog into the restaurant, but the man refused the
>> >> dog again. Crowell then left the restaurant.
>> >>
>> >> "I felt embarrassed and violated, you know? It's very
>> >> embarrassing," Crowell said, crying. "It's hard enough to be a
>> >> disabled person, but when you're treated like that, it's not
>> >> fun."
>> >>
>> >> The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires
>> >> privately-owned businesses that serve the public to allow people
>> >> with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business
>> >> premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed. The
>> >> law applies to businesses including restaurants, hotels, retail
>> >> stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls and sports facilities.
>> >>
>> >> State law says that whoever deprives a physically handicapped
>> >> person this right may be fined $300 and is liable for civil
>> >> action.
>> >>
>> >> At Chinatown restaurant on Thursday, employee Dominic So said
>> >> that he refused to let Vixen, Crowell's dog, into the restaurant
>> >> on Wednesday.
>> >>
>> >> "I work here. I have the right to stop the dog," said So, 50. "I
>> >> won't let a dog in the restaurant."
>> >>
>> >> When informed of the federal law that allows a guide dog to be
>> >> inside the restaurant, So said, "I have no clue."
>> >>
>> >> "The dog can wait outside," So said. "When she eats, she doesn't
>> >> need the dog. When she walks, she needs the dog. I understand
>> >> that."
>> >>
>> >> So said that Crowell could have people assist her inside the
>> >> restaurant, but the dog should stay outside.
>> >>
>> >> "I just can't let a dog in the dining room when I have customers
>> >> dining here," So said. "If she insists I violated her rights,
>> >> there's nothing I can do. I'm right to refuse a dog in the
>> >> restaurant."
>> >>
>> >> Businesses refusing guide dogs is seen regularly, and often
>> >> results from a misunderstanding on the part of business owners,
>> >> said Chris Danielsen, spokesman for the National Federation of
>> >> the Blind in Baltimore.
>> >>
>> >> "You simply have to educate the business owner," he said. "If a
>> >> business owner actually refuses, it can lead to seeking charges
>> >> to being filed."
>> >>
>> >> "It's obviously very upsetting to the person that it happens to,"
>> >> he added.
>> >>
>> >> If Crowell made a complaint to police, officers would go to the
>> >> restaurant to explain the law to employees, police Lt. Tom
>> >> LaFratta said.
>> >>
>> >> "If they still refuse, I would take punitive action," LaFratta
>> >> said.
>> >>
>> >> Crowell said she formerly worked as a medical assistant before an
>> >> autoimmune condition led to the deterioration of her eyesight
>> >> over the past three decades. She became legally blind in the
>> >> 1990s.
>> >>
>> >> Hugging Vixen, she said she relies on the part golden retriever,
>> >> part Labrador retriever on showing her the way.
>> >>
>> >> "The dog is my eyes," she said. "She is supposed to see for me
>> >> and guide me where I need to go."
>> >>
>> >> Maria Papadopoulos can be reached at
>> >> mpapadopoulos at enterprisenews.com.
>> >>
>> >> Source:
>> >> http://www.patriotledger.com/business/x1602635111/Blind-Brockton-
>> >> woman-Seeing-Eye-dog-not-allowed-into-restaurant
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> nagdu mailing list
>> >> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> >> nagdu:
>> >>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/kramc11%40gmail.com
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > nagdu mailing list
>> > nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
>> >
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cathrynisfinally%40ve
>> > rizon.net
>> > No virus found in this incoming message.
>> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> > Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2931 - Release Date: 
>> > 06/11/10
>> > 18:35:00
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > nagdu mailing list
>> > nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
>> >
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/buddy%40brannan.name
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/albert%40myblindspot.
>> org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hotma
> il.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cathrynisfinally%40ve
> rizon.net
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2931 - Release Date: 06/11/10
> 18:35:00
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/blind411%40verizon.net 





More information about the NAGDU mailing list