[nagdu] Goodwill Changes Policy On Service Dogs

[Buddy Brannan]

"why: ?Even though we were already operating under the Tennessee law, we
decided that it would be best for us to go ahead and comply with the ADA
law."

"

So, what, the ADA is optional? Like, you can choose whether to follow it or not? That's fantastic! So, I can murder the guy in the next cube over because he annoys me, and it's OK, because I choose not to acknowledge the laws against murder? Annoying people of the world, you'd better watch out! 
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY



On Jul 18, 2012, at 7:11 AM, "Ginger Kutsch" <GingerKutsch at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Goodwill Changes Policy On Service Dogs
> 
> By Megan Brantley
> 
> Jun 15 2012
> 
> http://www.wcyb.com/Goodwill-Changes-Policy-On-Service-Dogs/-/14590664/15240
> 106/-/9ycsahz/-/index.html
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - 
> 
> She claimed to be a victim of discrimination because Goodwill turned her
> away and wouldn't let her service dog in the store. Earlier this week we
> told you about a local woman and a controversy over her service dog.
> 
> 
> 
> Original story: Service Dog Owner Claims Discrimination
> 
> 
> 
> Rose Hollowka suffers from epilepsy and said her dog, which warns her
> beforehand that she is about to have a seizure, was not allowed in a Johnson
> City Goodwill store. The story said that was because she didn't have
> documentation to prove Honey was a service dog.
> 
> 
> 
> That story touched a nerve for many folks; it has been viewed over 15,000
> times here on WCYB.com. It also brought a flood of calls and emails to
> Goodwill about disability discrimination.
> 
> 
> 
> "Nationally we heard a lot. A lot of Goodwill [stores] across the country do
> hear a lot. They want to comment on it. They want to know. They really don't
> know how the Goodwill organization is set up," said Bob Miller, CEO and
> President of Goodwill of Tenn/Va.
> 
> 
> 
> We searched the law and found Tennessee does in fact allow businesses to
> choose whether or not to ask for documentation when someone has a service
> animal, but the organization is now making some changes. Miller explained
> why: ?Even though we were already operating under the Tennessee law, we
> decided that it would be best for us to go ahead and comply with the ADA
> law."
> 
> 
> 
> Miller told us that Goodwill will announce on its website the new policy
> with service animals. Now it will only ask what service an animal provides,
> but not ask for documentation. "I am glad that they changed the policy, said
> Rose Hollowka. ?I am disappointed that it takes someone going to the media
> to get this changed and taken care of."
> 
> 
> 
> That's a change that backs up Goodwill?s mission to serve those with
> disabilities.
> 
> 
> 
> Original story: Service Dog Owner Claims Discrimination
> 
> By Megan Brantley
> 
> POSTED: Jun 12 2012 05:48:52 AM EDT UPDATED: 5:43 AM Jun 12 2012
> 
> http://www.wcyb.com/Service-Dog-Owner-Claims-Discrimination/-/14590664/15240
> 206/-/h8wnql/-/index.html
> 
> 
> 
> JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - 
> 
> A Johnson City woman claims that she was discriminated against for bringing
> her service dog inside a store.
> 
> 
> 
> According to the Americans with Disability Act, state and local governments,
> businesses, and non-profit organizations that serve the public must allow
> service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the
> facility where the public is normally allowed to go.
> 
> 
> 
> One woman she was not allowed to do so when she was shopping at the
> Goodwill. Rose Holowka is dealing with a disability. "I was in a car wreck
> back in 1992 which caused seizures that developed into epilepsy and have
> partial complex seizures," she explained.
> 
> 
> 
> Her service dog Honey makes things a little easier, but we learned that the
> law makes it a little harder. ?About a month ago my husband and I went to
> the Goodwill, and we were approached by their supervisor. We were told that
> we had to leave or show certification or documentation for the dog," said
> Holowka.
> 
> 
> 
> Unlike being blind, Holowka doesn't have a visible disability and she says
> that makes it harder to convince people.
> 
> 
> 
> Federal law does not require folks to show proof an animal is a service dog.
> State representative Jon Lundberg says places are not allowed to ask. ?You
> can't ask to see that,? says Lundberg, ?This is not like 'let's see you
> driver's license, let's see your dog credentials.' It doesn't work that way,
> it wasn't designed to work that way."
> 
> 
> 
> Although it wasn't designed that way, it's put places like Goodwill in a
> very tough position. With the animals not being required by law to wear a
> vest or dog tag, it makes it hard to tell which dog is a service dog and
> which isn't.
> 
> 
> 
> We spoke with a representative from Goodwill who said that with the right
> paperwork they'd be happy to allow them in, but until then, their policy
> says no pets allowed.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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