[nagdu] nagdu using 911 for access denial?

[Marion Gwizdala]

Abigail,
    I have a couple of suggestions. One is to program the NAGDU Information 
& advocacy Hotline into your cell phone so that you have it available when 
you need it. there you will have access to a special advocate trained to 
resolve such issues for you. That person can offer you guidance on how to 
best resolve the issue or intervene for you if this is what is needed. That 
number is 888-NAGDU411 (888-624-3841) or 813-658-5749. The 813 number is not 
toll-free, saving NAGDU the toll charges.
    If you would prefer to seek law enforcement intervention, call directory 
assistance for the non-emergency telephone number for the law enforcement 
agency that has jurisdiction. In my opinion, it is a misuse of the 9-1-1 
system to use it for access issues. 9-1-1 is for urgent threats to life or 
property, neither of which is so in an access denial. If you don't think 
lights and sirens are necessary to respond, then 9-1-1 is not appropriate. 
It may cost you a nominal amount ($1.25 - 1.50) but it is the proper and 
responsible way to deal with the issue. HTH!

Fraternally yours,
Marion



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Abigail" <lanieraf at email.appstate.edu>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 11:45 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] nagdu using 911 for access denial?


> It's funny this should be a topic on the list this week because I had an 
> issue with accessibility at a Thai restaraunt in Charlotte NC on Monday. I 
> made many attempts to explain the ADA to the manager with little success. 
> I don't live in Charlotte and was just visiting for the day.
> While I was in training with Alexa at GEB they had instructed us to call 
> 911 in instances like this. Granted, it goes without saying that most 
> Asian owned and run businesses are very uneducated about service animals.
> To make a long story short, I did call the police. We also ended up eating 
> there. I was some what insulted by the way in which the wait staff and 
> manager continued to talk to me and my friend very condescendingly .
> I felt like I did have responsibility to educate the employees. I plan to 
> mail them some information on working animals and the ADA.
> What advice does anyone have instead of calling 911 in a situation like 
> this?
>
> Abigail
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 10, 2011, at 1:58 AM, "Criminal Justice Major Extraordinaire" 
> <orleans24 at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Hi, Marion,
>> Very well agreed upon here.
>> I've heard so many stories of 9 1 1 being misused, especially when people 
>> don't get a certain thing they want at a fast food restaurunt.
>> That seemed to happen a lot.
>> Honestly, if I did that 9 1 1 thing during that time when my friend 
>> Natalie Orrell and I had a minor problem at an Anthony's here in 
>> downtown, Denver two years ago, that, would, have been really STUPID on 
>> my end.
>> Problem was handled appropriately and it was dealt with.
>> I spoke with the new employee and informed him of tha ADA law and the 
>> following day, I contacted the manager and told him what had happened.
>> I also said to the manager that I simply wasn't looking to get that new 
>> employee fired from his job, but more educated.
>> Now, if I could not have gotten anywhere the evening the incident 
>> happened, I then would have gone outtside and called the Police 
>> Department immediately upon having the officer on scene read the Access 
>> Laws for Colorado on the little booklet which Pilot Dogs had sent home 
>> with me in my going home packet.
>> I also made sure that I had my photo identification with me continuously 
>> which Pilot also issued.
>> There's far better ways of dealing with problems than 9 1 1 especially 
>> for a non-emergency related matter.
>> Bibi
>>
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