Blind Man Denied Access

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Headquarters: 842 Broadway Avenue, Welland, Ontario, Canada, L3C 5M8

EmaiL: Wayne & Tina

Telephone: 905 - 734 - 7034

For over 20+ years Wayne Tuttle - Owner/G.M of Service Dog House.com,
has been traveling with the assistance of a Guide Dog. During this time, he
has experienced numerous challenges on a daily basis. Some of which,
include being approached by people demanding to know why he is in their
place of business with a "dog". As a part of their extensive training, Wayne is
always obliging to inform and educate the general public about "Service
Dogs" and why we rely on them for our daily living.

On some occasions, Wayne has attempted to educate the curious with no
avail. After years of being refused access to some establishments, Wayne has
attempted to challenge the current Ontario Law surrounding "denied access".
This law is referred to as the "Blind Persons Rights Act" . Unfortunately, the
access laws in Canada are ineffective or non-existent. Some Provinces utilize
the "Blind Persons Rights Act" (which is only for Guide Dogs), while other
Provinces use the "Human Rights Act". As of 2009, British Columbia and
Alberta are the only two Provinces in Canada which have a law protecting
other people with disabilities who are traveling with the aid of a "Service
Dog" . Wayne has been lobbing the Ontario government since 1990 to
establish a "Service Dog" law. After three readings of the "Bill" it still has
not been implemented. Wayne is also attempting to establish a program to
educate new immigrants about "Service Dogs" in Canada.

It is our hope to share some of Wayne's experiences as well as some of our
customers experiences who have also been "denied access". If you have an
interesting story/photo, Contact Us and we will share your story with others
who may have experienced a similar situation.

Together We CAN Make A Difference !

Speciality Equipment for :

Autism Dogs
Diabetic Alert Dog
Guide Dogs
Hearing Dogs
Medical Assistance Dogs
Mobility Dogs
PTSD Dogs
Search & Rescue Dogs
Seizure Alert Dogs
Service Dogs
Special Skills Dogs
Therapy Dogs

Blind man shocked after clerk tells him to remove guide dog
11/15/2003

From: The Record (Kitchener-Waterloo)

By: CAROL GOODWIN

Going to the corner store to pick up a carton of milk and a loaf of bread is no big deal for most people,
including Wayne Tuttle of Kitchener.

To be thrown out of the store because of his guide dog is quite another matter.

And it's not the first time it's happened, said Tuttle, though the manager of the store denies Tuttle's version of
the events.

Tuttle, 48, started losing his sight in the mid-1970s. Sometimes he uses a white cane, but usually he's
accompanied by Cosmo, a black Labrador retriever and Tuttle's second guide dog.

Tuttle lives on Millwood Crescent, about a block from the Mac's store, formerly Winks, attached to the Sunoco
gas station at Homer Watson Boulevard and Doon Village Road.

"I've been going to this store for the six years I've lived here," Tuttle said.

Around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, he and Cosmo, in full guide-dog harness, went into the store. Tuttle, familiar with
the layout, proceeded to pick up the items he needed.

"I picked up a jug of milk and put it on the counter."

The clerk told him he could not come into the store with his dog, Tuttle said.

"I produced my CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) registration card," but the clerk told him it made
no difference and pointed to a sign saying, no dogs allowed.

Tuttle said he "calmly proceeded to try and educate" the clerk.

"I said to him, 'Don't you understand the access laws in Canada? All guide dogs can go anywhere.' "

But the clerk repeated that he could not bring his dog into the store, Tuttle said.

He suggested the clerk call the police, but the clerk refused. So Tuttle called the police. Although the officer
who came also reminded the clerk he could be breaking the law, the clerk simply kept serving customers,
Tuttle said.

The Blind Persons' Rights Act guarantees a blind person the right to be accompanied by a specially trained
guide dog in all public places.

"These include stores, restaurants, taverns, hotels and common carriers such as trains, buses and taxis, and
other conveyances, as well as any other place or facility to which the public customarily is invited," says the
law, as enacted in Ontario.

Anyone convicted of interfering with these rights could be fined up to $1,000.

The manager at Mac's is Ahmad Shahbaz. In an interview, he said he wasn't in the store on Wednesday night
but had been told of the incident by his clerk.

Shahbaz said Tuttle left the dog just inside the door, so the clerk did not realize Tuttle was visually impaired.
Shahbaz said his clerk became concerned because the dog was "playing" with some customers.

"He didn't know if this was a guide dog. I deny that (Tuttle) was asked to leave after he showed his card. That's
totally wrong. And we've got a (video) tape to prove it."

When told this response, Tuttle was stunned.

"I'm absolutely flabbergasted. If I used a wheelchair, would I leave it at the door? Cosmo was right by my side
all the time. Showing my card made no difference."

A Record reporter requested permission to view the tape, but was refused. "That is very confidential for us,"
company spokesman Nagi Mikheal said of the tape.

Despite the experience, Tuttle emphasized that educating the public about the rights of blind and visually
impaired people is the way to go.

"It's important for all of us to know. We (blind people) exist. Be understanding."

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