[Oagdu] Saw this on the news.

[Marianne Denning]

Deanna, and all, where did this article come from?  We, OAGDU, could
certainly write an article about possible legislation but that might
just stir the pot more.  GIve me your thoughts.

On 7/28/15, Deanna Lewis via Oagdu <oagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Good morning,
> This was on the News last night and I thought you all may find it
> interesting. My comments are at the bottom, following the article.
>
> MAINEVILLE, Ohio -- A woman with a registered service bird was asked to
> leave a Kroger store this past weekend -- and the moment was caught on
> video.
> The bird, a registered service animal named Cooper, has been in the store
> before with no problem, GeeGee Jackson said.
>
> Jackson, who is known as "the bird lady" around Maineville and South
> Lebanon, said a store employee asked her to leave the Kroger on SR 48 in
> Maineville Sunday. She said the manager told her the bird wasn't allowed.
> She said she needs the bird with her to help her cope with depression and
> anxiety. The bird, a cockatoo, is a nationally registered service animal.
> Cooper travels everywhere with Jackson, mostly around town, often traveling
> by moped. In public, she puts a diaper on the bird to prevent any messes and
> keeps him on a leash, she said.
> Jackson said she's shopped in the same store with her bird in the past with
> permission from employees.
> Kimbery Hibbler was shopping on Sunday and shot video of the incident.
> "I felt horrible for her," Hibbler said. "I felt like something needed to be
> done."
> A Kroger spokesperson told WCPO store officials do not have to let the bird
> inside under federal law.
> The spokesperson said Kroger follows the Americans with Disabilities Act's
> regulations on service animals. According to the ADA, only dogs can be
> service animals. Cooper the bird is registered but is technically an
> emotional support animal.
> But Jackson said Kroger's policy is not fair and she wants the company to
> reconsider.
> "Not everybody can have a service dog," she said. "There are other animals
> out there that can do the same thing a dog does."
>
> My comments: I say, way to go Kroger for following the ADA regulations!
> Although, they should have mentioned that miniature horses are also covered
> under the ADA.
> Speaking of the ADA, I participated in a 25th Anniversary ADA celebration
> yesterday. I wrote a poem and won first place, I had the honor of reading my
> poem in front of everyone at the event. I would say there were 150 people at
> least. I also was interviewed by the news and had my poem published in the
> Cincinnati Enquirer. It was a very good event, and I met with some people
> and did get to pass out a few Oagdu cards.
>
> Deanna
>
>
> --
> This email was Virus checked by UTM 9. http://www.sophos.com
>
> Sent from the Clovernook email system
>


-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053