[nagdu] --Here's the article--[Lady with Guide Dog kicked out of Ann Taylor]

Sat Jun 23 04:29:10 UTC 2012

The Consumerist: Shoppers Bite Back

  Jun 22, 2012 | 21 posts in the last 24 hours

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unacceptable

Ann Taylor Tells Blind Woman Her Guide Dog Isn't Allowed In The Store

By Mary Beth Quirk on June 19, 2012 2:00 PM

(yoshiffles)

Hey, retailers — it's 2012, and if you don't know that a service dog is a 
completely acceptable animal to be accompanying a customer in a store 
according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, you really need to update 
your employees. And yes, we mean you, Ann Taylor.

Consumerist reader Natalie's mom, Becky, has a condition called Retinitis 
Pigmentosa. She sees about 5% of what is normal so she uses a guide dog, and 
as such, is dependent on her service dog, Cricket, to get around, especially 
when she's on her own. She loves shopping at Ann Taylor, but had an 
unfortunate experience with an employee who told her she wasn't allowed to be 
in the store with her dog.

Natalie directed us to Becky's blog, "Cruisin' with Cricket," where she 
detailed her recent upsetting experience at a newly-opened Ann Taylor store at 
her local mall. Her husband, Steve, had dropped her off and was finishing a 
conference call on his phone in the car.

“
Cricket and I navigated into the store. I was so excited. Unfortunately, I was 
greeted by a clerk with her first words indicating I needed to leave the store 
with my dog. I politely explained that she was a guide dog and allowed to be 
here. She indicated again dogs were not allowed and she would need to talk to 
her store manager. I began to feel like my exciting find of the Ann Taylor 
store was not going so well. Unfortunately, the manager also was not too 
helpful and indicated that dogs were not allowed.
  I knew there were other people there as well, and I felt really alone. No 
one stood up and said, this is a guide dog she can be in this store. I again 
explained she was a guide dog and allowed to be here. At this point, I found 
myself just wanting to leave and go to another store where I was welcome. I 
turned and said, Cricket outside. It's not been the easiest of past few weeks 
and I couldn't do anymore.

I walked out feeling pretty sad. One of the clerks came out after me and said 
she was sorry, she liked dogs. I explained that it isn't about whether one 
likes or doesn't like dogs. Cricket is my guide dog and thanks to the 
Americans with Disabilities Act she is allowed to enter Ann Taylor and any 
other public place that we want to go. She is my eyes.

”

Becky met up with her husband, who returned to the store to explain the 
situation and that "they had also kicked out a very loyal, frequent shopper 
who had a closet full of their clothes." Becky ended up finding what she 
needed at another store, where her guide dog was accepted without a problem.

Natalie tells us Ann Taylor called later to apologize, but the damage was 
done. Becky said she was pretty shaken by the turn of events, but she's 
maintaining a positive outlook on her ordeal. She adds that she's happy to 
educate anyone she comes across about the roles of guide dogs, and even to 
show identification if it's necessary. But, as she notes, and we 
wholeheartedly agree, being told to leave a store in 2012 because someone 
doesn't realize what a guide dog is, is pretty upsetting.

She finishes her tale on an optimistic note:

“
I would love to turn this difficult experience into an opportunity to educate 
those at Ann Taylor so this experience doesn't happen for anyone else. In the 
end, I have had many more positive experiences at Ann Taylor than this 
discrimatory one. However, I hope they will use this experience to educate 
their employees of the role of service animals. They are not only welcome in 
their store but by law required to be allowed in their store. If you have 
experienced this type of situation, you understand indeed what a traumatizing 
experience it is — and this time to be alone was even more challenging.
”

Disappointed in Ann Taylor [Cruisin' With Cricket ~ The Journeys Of Becky And 
Her Guide Dog, Cricket]

More About:
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  ann taylor

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Sarek

June 19, 2012 2:08 PM

How ignorant are these people, especially the store manager, who should have 
learned this in his training? Guide dogs, when wearing their harnesses, have 
been permitted in stores for *decades*, way before ADA. Geez, I knew this as a 
little kid.

It might have been interesting (though traumatic) if the woman had said to the 
manager, "ok, call the police."

chefboyardee

June 19, 2012 2:11 PM

"She adds that she's happy to educate anyone she comes across about the roles 
of guide dogs, and even to show identification if it's necessary"

So instead of leaving all upset, why not stand your ground and do that? Not 
blaming the OP here, I completely sympathize with what she's feeling. However, 
while she may be shaken, and not want to shop there anymore that day, she'd be 
doing a major service for the next people in her situation if she would do 
what she says she doesn't mind doing, and staying to educate them on their 
mistake instead of just leaving. I know she went back with the husband later, 
but that had significantly less impact than staying and raising a stink would 
have.

I know a lot of commenters will disagree with the "raise a stink" idea, and 
that's fine. Some people aren't comfortable with that, and I can appreciate 
that. But personally, I would have made them play their hand. I'm not allowed 
in here with my dog? Gotcha. Then we'll stay and continue to shop until you 
call the cops on us. Make a huge deal out of it. Let the other customers see 
what kind of morons work there. Teach them a lesson. Seriously. It's 2012, 
there's no excuse for ignorance (on the part of the Ann Taylor 
employees/manager) in situations like this.

Loias supports harsher punishments against corporations

June 19, 2012 2:11 PM

I want to hear about a person in this situation who just ignores the calls for 
their departure and continues shopping.

So an employee says you can't be there, cites why, and you know full well they 
are incorrect, why do you leave?

If an employee said you can't be there because you are black, would you just 
leave? Or maybe you might say you're ignorant of the law and continue 
shopping.

Bog

June 19, 2012 2:14 PM

Simple - Refuse to leave and continiue to shop. Make them call the cops, or 
call the cops yourself. The police WILL usually give the store an education. 
Been there and done with that with a person I was with who had a guide dog. 
Store clerk squeaked like a chewtoy when the Sheriff's depuity told she 
personally could get a few thousand dollar fine as well as the store.

huey9k

June 19, 2012 2:14 PM

Yeah, I got your lesson right here, Ann Taylor... it involves a Judge, a 
gavel, and a $20 million judgement.

Oh, and firing the stupid twats (yeah, I said it) who kicked protected service 
animal out of a store.

Darury

June 19, 2012 2:14 PM

"Becky said she was pretty shaken by the turn of events" ---

While I appreciate it would suck, how sheltered of life do you lead that a 
sales clerk turning you away is enough to shake you up? Did they threaten to 
have your dog killed and you arrested if you didn't leave immediately? The 
overly-dramatic impact of being inconvienced never ceases to amaze me.

And yes, while it was an issue that shouldn't have happened, it was not a 
life-altering moment since she found the clothes at another store.

Costner

June 19, 2012 2:15 PM

" would love to turn this difficult experience into an opportunity to educate 
those at Ann Taylor so this experience doesn't happen for anyone else. In the 
end, I have had many more positive experiences at Ann Taylor than this 
discrimatory one. "

What a refreshing and positive attitude. I'm so happy to see her react in that 
manner rather than immediately saying she was hiring an attorney with plans to 
sue. Not only would an opportunity to educate these employees on ADA 
compliance and service animals help her during future visits, but it can help 
anyone else who visits that store with a service animal as well (and even 
other stores if these employees go elsewhere in the future).

Bravo Becky. Bravo.

mikedt

June 19, 2012 2:17 PM

By no means was the store's actions acceptable, but to be "pretty shaken by 
the turn of events" seems to be a little over reacting. Don't people just get 
mad any more? Do you really need to have long term emotional problems because 
you had to deal with an idiot? I can't believe this is the first time she's 
run into this, nor will it be the last. Either stand you're ground and make 
the idiots feel like bigger idiots or get over it and go on your way.

Does everything we do now need to be groundwork for a potential lawsuit?

sirwired

June 19, 2012 2:18 PM

I could understand confusion of the continually-evolving rules on emotional 
support animals, seizure alert animals, etc.

But seriously? A problem with a guide dog for the blind? These, and the rules 
around them, aren't exactly new.

KrispyKrink

June 19, 2012 2:21 PM

It's obvious the employees at that store knew exactly what they were doing. 
Flagrantly violating federal law simply for personal reasons. Unfortunately no 
amount of talk or education will change people like this, they will continue 
making up rules based on personal feelings of "I don't like X, so I can do X 
no matter what".

The only way to enact proper change with people like that is a court of law 
resulting in heavy fines and or jail. Or a baseball bat to the face. Given 
that the latter is socially unacceptable and maybe unlawful, go with the first 
option.

sparc

June 19, 2012 2:21 PM

sadly, this isn't shocking to me at all. Just look at the article below this 
where Apple Stores aren't selling to people born in Iran.

Some people are just plain stupid....

SkokieGuy

June 19, 2012 2:25 PM

How hard would it be to establish a national criteria and ID card. Could be 
issued be veterinarians and services that provide guide animals.

In order to take advantage of special parking, you are required to obtain a 
permit, doing the same for service animals would save the users of these 
animals headaches and unreasonable denial of services.

It might also reduce the (how big of a problem is it?) people who arbitrarily 
claim their animal is providing assistance when there is not a need.

Rocket80

June 19, 2012 2:28 PM

This is right where you pull out your iphone, hit record and ask "I'm sorry, 
would you please say that again?" :)

ToddMU03

June 19, 2012 2:31 PM

Cricket needs to learn a new command.

"Cricket sic balls."

dush

June 19, 2012 2:36 PM

Guide dogs are awesome. Guide robots that don't shed or cause allergies would 
be even better.

skloon

June 19, 2012 2:39 PM

I'd tell them that my dog stops me from having a homicidal psycotic break, but 
I can come in without it, and develop some sort of twitch while telling them 
this

JohnDeere

June 19, 2012 2:39 PM

what exactly are the punishments for companies violating the ada. they must 
not be enough or it wouldnt happen.

Nighthawke

June 19, 2012 2:46 PM

And there's another store staff that's going to lose a week's worth of wages 
due to retraining in ADA regs and sensitivity.

MAJOR cluster-*uck, this one.

Alliance to Restore the Republic of the United States of America

June 19, 2012 3:19 PM

Classy.

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On Fri, 22 Jun 2012 20:45:52 -0500
  Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com> wrote:
> I posted an article with quotes from her blog on it to the list a few
> hours ago.  Marcia is correct.  I googled and found much information
> on the incident.
> 
> On 6/22/12, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>> If you google "Cruisin' with cricket" Ann taylor, it will come up. Sorry
>> for
>> the bad link.
>>
>> Marsha
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>> Of Debbie Cole
>> Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 5:37 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] [Lady with Guide Dog kicked out of Ann Taylor]
>>
>> It says the apge doesn't exist.  Perhaps it can be found elsewhere?
>>
>> On 6/22/12, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> I have seen this all over twitter several times now. It's a very very sad
>>> story. If anyone is interested, here is her blog:
>>>
>> http://cruisinwithcricket.blogspot.com/2012/06/disappointed-in-ann-taylor.ht
>>> ml
>>> the news story and the information that the store has is different. The
>>> store claims that the dog did not have a harness. I didn't think it was
>> the
>>> harness that made the guide dog a guide dog, but its training and for the
>>> tasks it does? Maybe I am wrong. And secondly, did the store employees
>>> not
>>> know what a harness looked like, to say that it was indeed a harness?
>>> Cricket is from GDB, so she would have been wearing a GDB harness. This
>>> outrages me. Its great Ann Taylor has issued an apology, but what about
>>> issueing national wide policies for this not to happen again?
>>>
>>> I know this was in STL, but Ann Taylor's are all over the country. Anyone
>>> while at convention want to visit a ann Taylor in a group? I won't have
>>> Emma
>>> with me, or I would go too. What would they do with 5 or 6 or more guide
>>> dog
>>> teams? LOL
>>>
>>> Marsha
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf
>>> Of Tracy Carcione
>>> Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 10:19 AM
>>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> Subject: [nagdu] [Fwd: [Njagdu] Fwd: FYI Lady with Guide Dog kicked out
>>> of
>>> Ann Taylor]
>>>
>>> I don't know anything about this, but, hopefully, here's the video link.
>>> This happened in Salt Lake City.
>>>
>>> _Becky Andrews: Ann Taylor Kicked My Guide Dog Out Of Salt Lake City
>> Store
>>> (VIDEO)_
>>>
>> (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/20/ann-taylor-becky-andrews-dog_n_161
>>> 2366.html?icid=maing-grid10|htmlws-main-bb|dl15|sec1_lnk3&pLid=1715
>>> 75)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nagdu mailing list
>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nagdu:
>>>
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/debbieanne1124%40gmail.co
>> m
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> warmly,
>>
>> Debbie Cole
>>
>> debbieanne1124 at gmail.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
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>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
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>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
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>>
> 
> 
> -- 
> Julie McG
> Lindbergh High School class of 2009, National Federation of the Blind
> of Missouri recording secretary,
> Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
> and proud graduate of Guiding Eyes for the Blind
> 
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
> everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
> life."
> John 3:16
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
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> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
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