[nagdu] Blind Brockton woman saysSeeingEyedognotallowedintorestaurant

Tue Jun 15 21:34:16 UTC 2010

Yeah, I agree that there are more problems because of the influx of cultures 
and religions that don't like dogs. BUT...bottom line - they choose to come 
to OUR country and should be expected to play by OUR rules and laws. If I 
were to go to their countries, I would expect to play by their rules and 
laws - and rightfully so. You know, when in Rome...

If these people want to live and work or own businesses in our country, they 
need to learn English and learn about our laws.  And our laws require the 
access of service dogs that belong to disabled people here. Of course, we do 
have the responsibility to keep our dogs well trained, behaved, and groomed. 
We can respect the religions by not allowing our dogs to make physical 
contact with the practitioners of those religions. Those people need to 
assist us by letting us know when our dog is about to make contact with them 
so we can pull our dogs out of the way.

If we all work together, we can make it all work out and everyone can be 
happy.

Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gail" <deerskin at oct.net>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 5:57 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Brockton woman 
saysSeeingEyedognotallowedintorestaurant

> Part of what is causing problems for us is the influx of people from the
> Middle East and Asia, who have totally different religious beliefs, 
> outlooks
> on life in general. Up till fairly recently, its been mostly people from
> Judaeo/Christian heritage/countries, so peoples and their beliefs and
> cultures meshed reasonably well. But not all countries  and religions
> tolerate dogs, even working dogs, and their religions sometimes forbid in
> strong terms contact with them. So I'm expecting that, despite the Federal
> laws, that we will be having more trouble of this sort in the future...
> bleah.
>
> Gail
>
>
>
> -------Original Message------- 
>
> From: Linda Gwizdak
> Date: 6/14/2010 7:08:02 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Brockton woman says
> SeeingEyedognotallowedintorestaurant
>
> Absolutely!! My feelings as well in regard to businesses refusing to admit
> Our guide dogs.
>
> I think if businesses who violate our access rights had to pay painfully 
> for
>
> Their actions, they soon would learn to "remember" the law! After 80 years
> Of guide dogs in this country, it's pure BS that we still have to put up
> With this crap.
>
> Lyn and Landon
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 6:39 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Brockton woman says Seeing Eyedognot
> Allowedintorestaurant
>
>
>> Rebecca,
>> I agree with you. I feel it is up to those who run a business to know
>> the laws that affect such a business. Remember the old adage, "Ignorance
>> of the law is no defense!" The ADA is soon to be 20 years old. Those who
>> operate businesses should know about its provisions as they pertain to
>> their operation!
>>
>> fraternally yours,
>> Marion
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 8:03 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Brockton woman says Seeing Eye dognot
>> allowedintorestaurant
>>
>>
>>>I don't know, it is the owner's job to make sure everybody is up to
>>> speed on current laws and codes. I don't feel too sorry for the owner or
>>> his staff here.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message----- 
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf Of Steve Johnson
>>> Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2010 3:01 PM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Brockton woman says Seeing Eye dognot
>>> allowedinto restaurant
>>>
>>> In a different sense, it seems that the punishment is a little harsh
>>> especially if the co-woners did not have a training protocol or policy
>>> in
>>> place for new hires to understand the access laws and restaurant code
>>> exemptions for service animals. As this update indicates, it is a
>>> afterthought due to the incident, and the owners are still ultimately
>>> liable.
>>>
>>> Steve
>>>
>>> -----Original Message----- 
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf
>>> Of Albert J Rizzi
>>> Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2010 8:58 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
>>>
>>> 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.c
>>> om
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> 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.n
>>> ame
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 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%40myblinds
>>> pot.
>>> 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/stevencjohnson%40
>>> cent
>>> urytel.net
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 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/rebecca.pickrell%
>>> 40tasc.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/blind411%40verizon
> net
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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/linda.gwizdak%40cox
> net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/deerskin%40oct.net
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/linda.gwizdak%40cox.net 