Blind Justice
October 10th, 2014 by flanewsCaught on camera. Security guards contracted by the state harassed a blind woman and her service dog earlier this month. Matt Galka brings us to the protest that was sparked by the incident.
This video shows legally blind Tiffany Baylor trying to enter the Museum of Florida History with her service dog. The two guards stationed at the entrance appear to confront Baylor and her the dog.
The video has outraged members of the blind community, including Marion Gwizdala, the president of the National Association of Guide Dog Users.
“This is happening all over the state of florida, not just in state buildings, but also in restaurants, in hospitals, in taxi cabs, and in hotels. People are being denied access,” said Gwizdala.
Baylor, who works with the state’s Department of Education Blind Services Division, did not return our calls for comment or show up at the rally outside of the building. The guards are contracted out by the Department of Management Services from U.S. Security Associates. Both have issued apology statements.
State and federal law allow guide dogs to go pretty much everywhere people can, including the building she had trouble getting in to.
Disability advocate J.R. Harding says it shouldn’t have been a problem.
“Service animals provide a critical role in the independence and freedom of people with disabilities, they are protected under the Americans with Disabilities act,” said Harding.
Call it poor timing – but the incident comes at the start of Disability Awareness month. The exhibit Baylor was going to see? A brail quilt.
The company that contracts out the guards says they’ve implemented additional training. The Secretary of State’s office, which is housed in the same building, declined comment but confirmed the secretary called Baylor to apologize.
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