Goofyernmost wrote:It is difficult to figure out what organ the ADA people think with. Let's say that a small dog can sense an oncoming seizure, what happens then? Does it do anything to prevent the seizure or just get in the way when someone tries to help. The idea behind ADA was a nice thought, but, the manner of implementation is about as stupid as anything can get.
I have found that the overly powerful department never takes into consideration the safety of the person or of other people around them. Their sole function is to be sure that access is given to everyone regardless of their well being. If a non-disabled person has allergies, even life threatening allergies, debilitating fears or other...who cares! Others rights are not considered at all. If a person gets on a bus with a non-standard mobility device that cannot be safely secured, hence causing safety issues for the disabled as well as others, who cares. Let them ride. Now if that person or others gets injured because of the stupidity of such regulations, who do you think gets sued. I'll give you a hint...it won't be ADA.
I think it is a matter of time before this all comes to a head.
I can understand that it might be embarrassing for a person to reveal their respective problem or why their animals are there, but, it doesn't seem unreasonable to have a central location that is empowered to issue special ID passes that identify a properly trained animal and its owner. Then when access is needed, nothing more than showing the ID is necessary, no questions, no doubt, no fraud. Simple? I thinks so, but, the government is to busy flexing its muscle to understand simple logical thinking.
Try collecting social security without a social security card. If you go by government rules all they should be able to ask is...are you 65? Where do you want your check sent?
A seizure dog alerts the person to an oncoming seizure so they get into a safe place. For instance, many people who suffer grand mal seizures have bit blocks that keep them from biting through their tongues. This will give them a chance to find somewhere quiet to lie down, put in the bit block, etc. so that they do not hurt themselves. Many times these dogs are also trained to find help, either by dialing 911 on a phone or some other method if the person has a problem coming out of it.
You just opened a big can of worms with your post. I'm glad that people do not have to show proof, nobody should say what is or isn't deserving of a service dog precisely because many people are embarassed. There is a book called Jodi Picoult called "My Sister's Keeper". The lawyer in the book has a SD but will never tell anybody what it is because he is embarassed about his condition. Asking peole with SDs to have ID is putting a lot of red tape. It should not be up to the government to decide what is deserving/undeserving. The comparison with a Social Security card is bad one. You get a SS card when you are born, everybody has them so you are not singling out a group. Unless you lose yours, you do not have to replace it, there is no red tape. How long would it take to issue one of these cards? What is the person with the SD supposed to do in the meantime? Not go out.
Unfortunately, the allergy/fear issue is there, but there is no good alternative. I have a friend who is visually impaired and uses a SD to get around, she relies on that dog. Should she be made to get off a train just because somebody there may have an allergy or be afraid? She relies on this dog for independence, especially in an unfamiliar area. Most people with allergies have mild allergies that can be avoided by simply moving to a different part of the establishment. As for people with fears, having a fear does not give you the right to kick somebody out. I might have a fear of somebody who is middle eastern on a plane (common these days), but that does not mean they shouldn't be allowed. Properly trained SDs are very quiet, and most people with feras of dogs do not have undue problems when they are in the same place as an SD because of the control the owner has over the SD.
No, the ADA is not perfect, but it is a stretch to say that allowing people with SDs full access that everybody else gets infringement upon the rights of others. At least 99% of the time, the SD will not endanger the health and safety of another person, unless we are talking severe allergies. People have severe allergies to fragrances but businesses don't kick out people for wearing perfume, why should an SD who performs a vital function be any different?
Re: Scary Regulars
