[nagdu] clarification on religious exemptions

Sun Mar 29 01:22:12 UTC 2015

I think that we should keep in mind, that with the continuing decline with
organized religion membership, the likelihood of being denied access is
probably a rarity.  Ask yourself, why would a specific sect want to deny
someone because of specific factors...this most likely goes harshly against
the grain of what a religion's philosophy really is foundationally about.
Just food for thought.  Sometimes, I believe that too many are too quick to
jump ahead to the what could be scenarios, and don't step back to look at
the bigger picture of what is probably really happening.  

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marianne Denning
via nagdu
Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2015 8:16 PM
To: Tara Briggs; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] clarification on religious exemptions

Since others have stated that if it is something open to the general public
you should have been able to attend.  I would also say that if any of us
have been denied access to a religious activity because of our dog we could
always go to a higher level of the religious group or go to the media, as a
last resort.  If a religious structure is part of a larger organization or
denomination go up the ladder. Make sure that is the philosophy of the
organization and not just that local affiliate. I am a full supporter of 1st
amendment rights for everyone but we don't have to be passive in our
response.

On 3/28/15, Tara Briggs via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I have a question, around Christmas time of 2013 I went to A concert 
> in downtown Salt Lake City. The building was not a church but it was 
> owned by a church. I was told that because of previous negative 
> experiences, I and my service dog would not be permitted to sit with 
> everyone else. I could either sit in a room apart from everyone else 
> and listen to the concert on video, or I could not attend. We chose to 
> leave. Concert was free and open to the public. There were thousands 
> of people attending. It is my understanding that the church had the right
to do this. Any thoughts?
> Thanks
> Tara
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Mar 28, 2015, at 2:35 PM, Marion Gwizdala via nagdu 
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>>    It is my understanding that building codes and fire regulations do 
>> not exempt private organizations or religious institutions from their 
>> requirements. The ADA does specifically exempt them. As for whether a 
>> church must comply with the ADA if they invite the general public, it 
>> seems as if they must during that time when the church is open as a 
>> place of public accommodation. This would likely be the case for the 
>> choir competition or if, say, the church were to host a public forum 
>> open to the public.
>>
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion Gwizdala
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Craig 
>> Heaps via nagdu
>> Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2015 10:56 AM
>> To: Debby Phillips; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of 
>> Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] clarification on religious exemptions
>>
>> So here's my question about churches and the ADA.  Is there anything 
>> in the fedral exemption that keeps states from requiging essecntially 
>> the same compliance as any other institution/business that welcomes 
>> the public in?
>>
>> Can a state pass a law requiring wheelchair ramps or prohibiting the 
>> exclusion of service animals?
>>
>> Can a local government put requirements in its building code for the 
>> equvialent of ADA compliant adaptions?
>>
>> Craig and Chase
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Debby Phillips via nagdu" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> To: "Dailyah" <dailyahpatt at yahoo.com>; "NAGDU Mailing List,the 
>> National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; 
>> <pickrellrebecca at gmail.com>; <buddy at brannan.name>; 
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; <dsykora29 at gmail.com>; <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2015 12:24 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] clarification on religious exemptions
>>
>>
>>> Thanks for the information.  I kind of thought that was the way it is.
>>> Fortunately, my parish is fine with my dog-in fact, there are people 
>>> praying right now that I get a quicker date for class.  Lol.  I love it.
>>> And if I don't get an earlier date, that I can be peaceful with that.
>>> Peace and blessings,    Debby waiting for N D (New Dog).
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
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--
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053

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