[nfbmi-talk] nfb fla in action over discrimination

[joe harcz Comcast]

Museum under fire after blind woman's treatment

Karl Etters, Tallahassee Democrat 7:37 p.m. EDT October 9, 2014

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Tiffany Baylor and her guide dog, 2-year-old black lab Lando.(Photo: Tallahassee Democrat)

 (

Tallahassee.com) --

A protest is scheduled for 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 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.

 

She told the Tallahassee 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."

 

Surveillance video from the Museum of Florida History

 

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

 

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.

 

Interfering with admittance to a public space by a person with a disability or their guide animal is a second-degree misdemeanor with a maximum sentence

of 60 days.

 

By state law, disabled individuals are not required to show proof of their disability.

 

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."

 

Baylor is legally blind and has tunnel vision in her left eye from birth defects related to rubella and glaucoma.

 

Ben Wolf, spokesman for DMS, said the agency is aware of the incident and has released the included video. 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."

 

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.

 

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 are tasked with upholding and 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 its not the policies of the R.A. Gray Building in question, it's those of the security company.

 

"The guards are the ones out of line," she said.

 

Source:

http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local/florida/2014/10/09/museum-protest-blind-woman/16975333/