[nagdu] Article about the woman kicked out of Ann Taylor

[Cindy Ray]

Julie, thanks. Not sure why I couldn't get it. Maybe I need computer training.

It is an annoying story, mainly because it happened. It happened more than one would like to think. Two years ago when I went to the PCUSA General Assembly to help set up the exhibit hall in the convention center, a guard there told me I couldn't bring my dog in there. I told him I could, that the law required the place to be open to him. He said he would have to go ask his supervisor, but I went in anyway. He came back and said I would need to show ID, and I told him that I was not required to show ID. He left me alone then, but another guy told me I could not have the dog there. I said that, in fact, I could and would have him there, for the law allowed it. Finally, I met someone who was the, or anyway a, manager. I told him the story, and he said he didn't get it because they have lots of service animals go through there. Thought it might be extra staff becaue of the crowd to be on hand. They must have been told, for I had no more troubles, nor did the others who brought service animals.

CL

On Jun 22, 2012, at 2:42 PM, Julie McGinnity wrote:

> Here is a story relating the incident we have been talking about.  I
> did a simple google search and found many stories about it.  This is
> taken from the consumerist, which is some kind of news website.  It
> quotes her blog though, so it looks trust worthy enough.  See below:
> 
> Hey, retailers — it's 2012, and if you don't know that a service dog
> is a completely acceptable animal to be accompanying a customer in a
> store according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, you really
> need to update your employees. And yes, we mean you, Ann Taylor.
> 
> Consumerist reader Natalie's mom, Becky, has a condition called
> Retinitis Pigmentosa. She sees about 5% of what is normal so she uses
> a guide dog, and as such, is dependent on her service dog, Cricket, to
> get around, especially when she's on her own. She loves shopping at
> Ann Taylor, but had an unfortunate experience with an employee who
> told her she wasn't allowed to be in the store with her dog.
> 
> Natalie directed us to Becky's blog, "Cruisin' with Cricket," where
> she detailed her recent upsetting experience at a newly-opened Ann
> Taylor store at her local mall. Her husband, Steve, had dropped her
> off and was finishing a conference call on his phone in the car.
> 
> 
> “
> Cricket and I navigated into the store. I was so excited.
> Unfortunately, I was greeted by a clerk with her first words
> indicating I needed to leave the store with my dog. I politely
> explained that she was a guide dog and allowed to be here. She
> indicated again dogs were not allowed and she would need to talk to
> her store manager. I began to feel like my exciting find of the Ann
> Taylor store was not going so well. Unfortunately, the manager also
> was not too helpful and indicated that dogs were not allowed.
> I knew there were other people there as well, and I felt really
> alone. No one stood up and said, this is a guide dog she can be in
> this store. I again explained she was a guide dog and allowed to be
> here. At this point, I found myself just wanting to leave and go to
> another store where I was welcome. I turned and said, Cricket outside.
> It's not been the easiest of past few weeks and I couldn't do anymore.
> 
> I walked out feeling pretty sad. One of the clerks came out after me
> and said she was sorry, she liked dogs. I explained that it isn't
> about whether one likes or doesn't like dogs. Cricket is my guide dog
> and thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act she is allowed to
> enter Ann Taylor and any other public place that we want to go. She is
> my eyes.
> 
> ”
> 
> 
> Becky met up with her husband, who returned to the store to explain
> the situation and that "they had also kicked out a very loyal,
> frequent shopper who had a closet full of their clothes." Becky ended
> up finding what she needed at another store, where her guide dog was
> accepted without a problem.
> 
> Natalie tells us Ann Taylor called later to apologize, but the damage
> was done. Becky said she was pretty shaken by the turn of events, but
> she's maintaining a positive outlook on her ordeal. She adds that
> she's happy to educate anyone she comes across about the roles of
> guide dogs, and even to show identification if it's necessary. But, as
> she notes, and we wholeheartedly agree, being told to leave a store in
> 2012 because someone doesn't realize what a guide dog is, is pretty
> upsetting.
> 
> She finishes her tale on an optimistic note:
> 
> 
> “
> I would love to turn this difficult experience into an opportunity to
> educate those at Ann Taylor so this experience doesn't happen for
> anyone else. In the end, I have had many more positive experiences at
> Ann Taylor than this discrimatory one. However, I hope they will use
> this experience to educate their employees of the role of service
> animals. They are not only welcome in their store but by law required
> to be allowed in their store. If you have experienced this type of
> situation, you understand indeed what a traumatizing experience it is
> — and this time to be alone was even more challenging.
> ”
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Julie McG
> Lindbergh High School class of 2009, National Federation of the Blind
> of Missouri recording secretary,
> Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
> and proud graduate of Guiding Eyes for the Blind
> 
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
> everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
> life."
> John 3:16
> 
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