[Oagdu] article about guide dog banned from church bus

Fri Jul 24 00:36:17 UTC 2015

Perhaps this Dog Guide owner should do what she can, using the materials 
available for the purpose to attempt to educate this horribly ignorant and 
ill informed minister.  Perhaps she should go to the church itself and have 
him discharged from his responsibilities as the head of that assembly. 
Because such ignorance, in the face of the ability of anyone to be well 
informed about everything these days, should  not be allowed to continue. 
Particularly regarding a persons right to be a free mobile citizen in this 
land of the free and the home of the freely mobile.  It was mobility which 
made this country as expansive as it is; and freedom of mobility which will 
propel us Americans to the stars.  Christianity itself maintains human souls 
are mobile.  So, why should anyone or anything restrict us blind people from 
expressing our own freedom of mobility.  Using whatever mobility aid and 
assist we choose.  If this horribly ignorant and obtuse person were to be 
threatened with the loss of his livelihood.  With which he supports his 
family, he might bother to consider that in all cities in this country where 
there are public busses, and where there is public transport, dog guides are 
quite welcome.  He might consider, beyond his prejudice, children of all 
ages ride those busses as well.  He might also consider also, nowhere has 
there been an occurrence of a dog guide harming any passenger on any buss. 
It was ignorance of this sort which restricted transport for persons of 
color.  Where ignorance exists it should be dispelled at any cost.  If it 
hampers a fellow human beings right to fully enjoy facilities and transport 
to such available to others.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Deanna Lewis via Oagdu" <oagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: "Ohio Association of Guide Dog Users List" <oagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "Deanna Lewis" <DLewis at clovernook.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2015 7:50 AM
Subject: Re: [Oagdu] article about guide dog banned from church bus


> Hi Marianne,
> I didn't see the original article in your message, so I am pasting it 
> below for those interested.
> I can offer my comments in a separate post.
> Deanna
>
> Guide dog banned from church bus
>
> Posted:Jul 15, 2015 8:03 PM EDT Updated:Jul 16, 2015 7:34 AM EDT
>
> By Lisa Hutson
>
> Email
>
> Connect
>
> lhutson at fox19.com
>
> List of 1 items
>
> list end
>
> (Source: Lisa Hutson, FOX19 NOW) (Source: Lisa Hutson, FOX19 NOW)
>
> MOUNT ORAB, OH (FOX19) -
>
>
>
> A blind Sardinia woman says a Brown County church is discriminating 
> against
> her by not allowing her guide dog on a church bus.
>
>
>
> Cathy Inglis says Tiny, a 6-year-old Boxer is an extension of herself
> helping her to live independently even though she is completely blind. 
> While
> she has
>
> had to explain Tiny's role before, she says she never thought a church 
> would
> turn him away.
>
>
>
> "They told me I was not allowed to ride the church bus,” said Inglis.
>
>
>
> After asking to ride the Sunday school bus to church with her 6-year-old
> grandson and Tiny, Inglis says Bible Baptist Church in Mt. Orab told her
> Tiny could
>
> not ride the bus.
>
>
>
> "If I have offended them, I would like to ask for their forgiveness 
> because
> I would not want to offend them,” said Pastor Ted House of Bible Baptist
> Church.
>
>
>
> House calls the entire discussion a huge misunderstanding. Both Tiny and
> Cathy are welcome anytime inside or outside the church he says but any dog
> on a
>
> church owned vehicle poses liability concerns.
>
>
>
> "It's just I don't want the dog on the bus around those children in those
> close quarters because a dog is a dog no matter how well they are trained
> and
>
> a dog might nip a kid and then I've got a parent upset and a lawsuit,” 
> said
> Pastor House.
>
>
>
> Inglis says she has never had any aggression issues toward humans with any
> of the seven guide dogs she has owned throughout her lifetime. Each of 
> them
> Inglis
>
> says go through extensive training to behave in public.
>
>
>
> House says he has suggested other options besides bringing Tiny on the bus
> such as having volunteers guide Inglis on Sundays or having a church 
> member
> pick
>
> up the pair in a private vehicle. They are options Inglis says she should
> not have to choose from based on her disability.
>
>
>
> “I didn't get the dog to leave him and be guided by somebody else. I got 
> him
> so I could work him and get around as best I can,”
>
> said Inglis.
>
>
>
> According to American Disabilities Act, churches are not required to be 
> ADA
> compliant but most do so voluntarily. By law, Bible Baptist Church has the
> right
>
> to refuse to accommodate anyone with disabilities.
>
>
>
> Pastor House admits while he should have communicated the issue better, he
> sticks by his decision to protect the children on the bus.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Oagdu [mailto:oagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marianne 
> Denning via Oagdu
> Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 6:25 PM
> To: Ohio Association of Guide Dog Users List; NFB of Ohio Announcement and 
> Discussion List
> Cc: Marianne Denning
> Subject: [Oagdu] article about guide dog banned from church bus
>
> Good afternoon.  I finally read this article and found out it was in Brown 
> County, OH.  The minister is not opposed for religious reasons but for the 
> safety of the children.
> The dog is also not banned from the church services.  Do you think this is 
> really protected under the first amendment? Should either the state NFB 
> affiliate or OAGDU reach out to this woman?
> --
> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
> (513) 607-6053
>
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