[nagdu] article pre-demonstration in Tallahassee

[Nicole Torcolini]

I also found this one. This is unacceptable. When someone breaks the law,
that person gets the consequences, regardless of who the person is. And I am
sick and tired of people offering free things as a way to try to get you to
shut up and move on. This lady does not want a free tour. This is right up
there with Alaska trying to offer my mother the free flight when she called
to complain about how we had been treated. This kind of crap has to stop.

Nicole

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sherri via nagdu
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2014 5:19 PM
To: nfbf-l at nfbnet.org; Florida Association of Guide Dog Users'; NAGDU NAGDU
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Subject: [nagdu] article pre-demonstration in Tallahassee

While the link that Marion sent out did not work, I did find this article.

Sherri

Protest at museum in aftermath of blind woman's treatment

A protest is scheduled Friday afternoon to highlight an incident where a
legally blind woman said she and her guide dog were harassed by contracted
security guards at the Museum of Florida History.

Tiffany Baylor, who works for the Florida Department of Education's Division
of Blind Services, said when she visited an exhibit at the museum Oct. 1
security guards, U.S. Security Associates employees contracted with
Department of Management Services, told her she could not have her guide dog
in the museum.

The week was also the kickoff of Disability Awareness Month and Baylor was
attending an exhibit featuring a Braille quilt created by a vision
rehabilitation therapist at Lighthouse of the Big Bend.

She told the Democrat the guards harangued her 2-year-old black lab Lando as
she viewed the exhibit and began demanding to see paperwork proving she was
blind and required the dog for mobility.

"You know you're disabled, but you want to go through the community like
everybody else," Baylor said. "When someone centers on that, but then
harasses you openly in front of everybody, it's kind of humiliating."

The museum is housed in the bottom level of the Florida Department of State
building on Bronough Street.

In a letter to Baylor, U.S. Security Associates' Southern Division Vice
President Deborah Kalert said the company regretted the actions the guards
took and that officers must uphold the constitutional rights of all people.

"That their actions were perceived as being anything less than that is not
what we or our officers expect," Kalert wrote. "As a testament to our strive
for perfection, we have implemented additional training for our officers and
are committed to providing you and all visitors with the highest level of
service."

Baylor said Secretary of State Ken Detzner called her Thursday morning and
apologized. She said Detzner told her he would advocate for disciplinary
action and training for the security guards and offered to walk her through
the museum next week.

A DOS spokeswoman confirmed Detzner had spoken with Baylor.

He "emphasized that the museum is open and welcoming to all," she said in an
email.

"He owned it," Baylor said. "He said 'if this is my building, then I'm the
one responsible. I'm really sorry this happened.'"

Interfering with admittance to a public space by a person with a disability
or their guide animal is a second-degree misdemeanor under Florida law.

In a statement submitted to state officials about the incident, Baylor
wrote, "the security guard continued and replied that he wanted to see proof
that it was in fact a guide dog and not just a pet. I pulled the dog away
from him a second time, and stated that there was a harness on the dog which
clearly states 'Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.' He stated that the harness
was not enough proof and that I needed to show him a card or papers as
proof."

Ben Wolf, spokesman for the Department of Management Services, the state's
building manager, said the agency is aware of the incident and has released
security video that captured a small portion of the encounter. The agency
has also called on the security company to review protocols and provide
training.

"Capitol Police are currently looking into the matter and DMS has directed
the private security company to review its protocols with respect to
training,"
Wolf wrote in an email. "The Department of Management Services strives to
make all guests feel comfortable in its buildings with respect to
accessibility and safety. We will continue to make every effort to ensure
all guests can access our managed buildings appropriately to conduct
business or enjoy Florida's history. The company is apologizing and we feel
that is the right thing to do."

The almost three-minute video obtained by the Democrat shows 20 seconds of
Baylor on camera. In it, security guards do not roughly handle the dog and
they can briefly be seen confronting Baylor, but it is unclear what they are
saying as she moves out of view.

Surveillance video from the Museum of Florida History

Disability advocate J.R. Harding said there are no public portions of state
buildings that are exempt from the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"Essentially all public building are open and service animals cannot be
denied," Harding said, adding that officials can ask what service a guide
animal provides, but not about an individual's disability.

In her statement Baylor said she moved away from the security guard, who
again approached her asking for proof that the dog was a service animal,
telling her he would "let her stay in here this time, but you cannot come
back in here without papers for the dog."

Friday's protest is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. outside of the museum at 500
S. Bronough St. and will include members of the National Federation of the
Blind and their service dogs.

The organization is calling for criminal charges against the security guards
involved and that they be disciplined.

Baylor said if the experience has been educational to security staff and can
prevent another incident involving an individual with disabilities then she
sees no need for criminal charges.

"I really want to make sure that my clients, or the students, or the people
coming to the community who have guide dogs are safe to enter because the
people know the rules and the laws," she said. "If they (security guards)
learn what there is to do and really ingest it and realize there is a real
reason to do so. That's what the goal is."


Character is the side of yourself you choose to show the world.
Integrity is what you do, what you say and how you act when you think no one
is paying attention.


Sherri Brun
NFBF Newsline Chair
flmom2006 at gmail.com
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