[Blindtlk] A Question Regarding PublicAccommodationRequirementsunder the ADA

[Brian Miller]

Diane,
No, I don't think you are wrong to ask at all.  I regularly go shopping
without taking sighted assistance with me.  However, I try to be as prepared
as possible with lists of what I am looking for written out in print and
Braille.  If I think the store will be exceptionally busy, I may call ahead
to let them know I will be arriving and give them an opportunity to either
prepare or tell me that maybe another time would be better.

It also helps to develop a repore with the stores you frequent, establish
good working relationships with individual store workers, and also try not
to abuse their assistance.  Being a little patient and flexible helps also.

I also think the level and quality of help will very given the kind of store
you are visiting.  Cost Co, for example, has always been very helpful, and
usually provides superior help.  And why not?  After all, I typically drop
several hundred dollars every time I'm there, so it's worth it to them to
provide a few minutes help.  If I am shopping for something for my wife at
Nordstrom's, Victoria Secret, or places that cater to women, the store
workers are almost invariably very helpful -- and they are this way with
male shoppers whether or not they are blind, as sighted and blind alike are
bound to be at a loss.  They are used to helping in this situation.  I
suspect a dollar store is much less likely to give the same level of
personal attention.

If I am doing a major shopping trip where I am unsure about what I am
looking for, or need to sample a huge and varied range of products, I am
much more likely to bring along a sighted friend, reader/driver, or family
member to help out.

In the end, you are the customer, and you are there to spend money, so it is
not unreasonable to ask for some assistance, but this needs to be balanced
with the scope and nature of your own shopping trip.  Being polite and clear
about what you are looking for goes a long way.

Brian Miller

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Graves, Diane" <dgraves at crc.IN.gov>
To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 6:59 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] A Question Regarding
PublicAccommodationRequirementsunder the ADA


> Well let me ask this then.  Am I wrong to ask for this assistance?  When
> the rest of you shop independently, how do you handle this sort of
> thing?  Do you always arrange to take a sighted person with you, or how
> do you go about finding what you need?
>
> Please understand, I am not trying to be argumentative here.  I'm just
> trying to understand how I should go about handling these things?
>
>
> Diane Graves
> Civil Rights Specialist
> Indiana Civil Rights Commission
> Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
> 317-232-2647
>
>
>
> "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."--Winston
> Churchill
>
>
>
>
> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain
> confidential and/or legally privileged information intended only for the
> individual or entity(ies) named in the E-mail address. If you are not
> the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized disclosure,
> copying, distribution, or acting in reliance upon the contents of this
> E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this E-mail
> transmission in error, please reply to sender to arrange for the return
> and proper delivery of the transmission. Subsequently, delete the
> message from your system immediately.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of Mike Freeman
> Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 9:45 AM
> To: NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] A Question Regarding Public
> AccommodationRequirementsunder the ADA
>
>
> Diane:
>
> The store manager is right; stores are not required to provide shopping
> assistance.
>
> Mike
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Graves, Diane" <dgraves at crc.in.gov>
> To: <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; <jmcCarthy at nfb.org>; <mmaurer at nfb.org>
> Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 5:54 AM
> Subject: [Blindtlk] A Question Regarding Public Accommodation
> Requirementsunder the ADA
>
>
> Greetings to all,
>
> My apologies to anyone who might be getting this twice.  Wanted to get
> it out to several sources, as I am needing to get a definitive answer as
> soon as I can.
>
> Does anyone know what the ADA law states regarding "self service" stores
> providing assistance with shopping for those who may need it due to
> blindness or other disability.
>
> I was in a Dollar General a few days ago, and was told that there was no
> one available to assist me so I would have to leave and come back.  (I
> later found out that I was lied too, and that there were, in fact plenty
> of personnel on hand to assist me.)  But, as the manager pointed out to
> me, lying is not illegal.
>
> I was told by this same manager that, as the Dollar General is a "self
> Service" store, they are not required to provide me with assistance
> getting what I needed.  The manager said that they do provide this
> assistance when they can  but that they are not required under the law
> to do so.
>
> The Dollar General, of course, is by far not the only "self Service"
> store that I deal with, so I simply need to know if I am being given
> accurate information, and a store such as this one, or a drug store or
> grocery store and so on, are not required to provide assistance to
> customers who need it.
>
> This is not the first time this problem has surfaced, so I just need to
> know whose side the law is on on this one. Am I mistaken or wrong to
> expect or request this assistance?
>
> Any information I could get would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Diane Graves
> Civil Rights Specialist
> Indiana Civil Rights Commission
> Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
> 317-232-2647
>
>
>
> "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."--Winston
> Churchill
>
>
>
>
> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain
> confidential and/or legally privileged information intended only for the
> individual or entity(ies) named in the E-mail address. If you are not
> the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized disclosure,
> copying, distribution, or acting in reliance upon the contents of this
> E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this E-mail
> transmission in error, please reply to sender to arrange for the return
> and proper delivery of the transmission. Subsequently, delete the
> message from your system immediately.
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------
>
>
> > _______________________________________________
> > blindtlk mailing list
> > blindtlk at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk