In my workshops and discussions concerning the legal rights and responsibilities of guide and service dog users, I always share the fact that the Americans with Disabilities Act not only protects the interests of disabled individuals, but also those of the nondisabled who are a party to discrimination by association. In other words, if a guide dog user is refused service at a restaurant and, as the result of the denial of service, others in the party are affected by the discrimination, even the nondisabled associates are protected by the ADA. Specifically, the ADA states
“Association. It shall be discriminatory to exclude or otherwise deny equal goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, accommodations, or other opportunities to an individual or entity because of the known disability of an individual with whom the individual or entity is known to have a relationship.” 42 U.S.C. Section 12182(b)(1)(E)
I would like to share the following civil complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office against the Days Inn of Tulsa, Okla. Alleging discrimination against a disabled person accompanied by a service dog and the associates (wife & children) of the disabled person. I would also like to remind you that the NAGDU Information & Advocacy Hotline is available 24/7 by calling 888-NAGDU411 (888-624-3841).