Blind Woman With Service Dog, Kicked Out of LR Restaurant
By: Jocelyn Tovar, KARK 4 News
Updated: December 1, 2012
Saturday afternoon a blind woman was kicked out of a restaurant in a similar situation.
"I walked in," said Rebecca Reid. "And he said 'no no no get out'."
Reid is a student at World Services for the Blind and said she's never been treated so poorly.
"I've heard other people have similar experiences," she said. "But I've never actually witnessed it first hand."
Being blind is new to Reid who lost her eyesight after complications from her diabetes medication one year ago.
"I see at 20 feet what you see at 2700 feet," she said.
That's why Shaggy goes wherever she does, that is until the two were kicked out of the Ali Baba restaurant on University Saturday afternoon.
"The American's with Disabilities Act states that this dog can go wherever I need him to go," she said.
Reid called the police from outside the business, but the restaurant's owner showed up before they arrived.
"If you have any problems please call me," he said after offering his sincerest apologies for how she was treated and promising it would never happen again.
This isn't the first time this issue has be raised.
In August a disabled man was arrested when, according to police, he refused to answer questions regarding his service animal at the downtown library. "The laws are the laws," said Reid.
While she decided not to file a complaint, she says people need to be more familiar with the American's with Disabilities Act.
"I walked in," said Rebecca Reid. "And he said 'no no no get out'."
Reid is a student at World Services for the Blind and said she's never been treated so poorly.
"I've heard other people have similar experiences," she said. "But I've never actually witnessed it first hand."
Being blind is new to Reid who lost her eyesight after complications from her diabetes medication one year ago.
"I see at 20 feet what you see at 2700 feet," she said.
That's why Shaggy goes wherever she does, that is until the two were kicked out of the Ali Baba restaurant on University Saturday afternoon.
"The American's with Disabilities Act states that this dog can go wherever I need him to go," she said.
Reid called the police from outside the business, but the restaurant's owner showed up before they arrived.
"If you have any problems please call me," he said after offering his sincerest apologies for how she was treated and promising it would never happen again.
This isn't the first time this issue has be raised.
In August a disabled man was arrested when, according to police, he refused to answer questions regarding his service animal at the downtown library. "The laws are the laws," said Reid.
While she decided not to file a complaint, she says people need to be more familiar with the American's with Disabilities Act.
Comments
It's my understanding the PD never showed up after being called. They stated it was a federal law, but not one which was against the law in LR. Sounds like the general public are not the only ones lacking education in LR.
Vicky M.
December 1, 2012 at 10:32 pm
I copied my comments from the Facebook page so I apologize for the comment about the ignorance of the comments here.
April S.
December 1, 2012 at 10:24 pm
It sounds to me that we need to educate more people about seeing eye dogs! I am blind but do not have a dog. My mom has had service dog for her blindness. They must groom thier dog before taking them into a business. These dogs, when taken care of properly, do not stink and shed. But my qusetion is this.....just because we are blind, does that mean we should NOT be allowed to go into a public place to eat? Come on people, get real. Maybe you should use your smart phones and get educated about these things. I am offended at several of the comments here because of the ignorance of people. Thanks to those of you who understand and support the blind.
April S.
December 1, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Better yet boycott McDonalds , Its always wonderful to see your cooks Boxers while your waiting for your hamburger........
Bob H.
December 1, 2012 at 5:37 pm
I like her attitude about it, just a small problem does not need a boycott or any further consideration.....
Bob H.
December 1, 2012 at 5:30 pm
Question : did the owner fire the idiot, or just "sweep it under the rug"? If that employee is still there,the place should be subject to a boycott.
Peter D.
December 1, 2012 at 4:50 pm
