I just sent this letter:
Breakfast at Tifiny’s
Santa Clara, UT
Dear Tifiny,
My husband and I along with my guide dog were excited to enjoy a
crepe at your restaurant last Saturday. After
a nice long bike ride on our tandem, I was ready to choose the mango, peach and
kiwi crepe! We walked in to be seated
and were told with my dog we could only be seated outside in the front corner. The front outside corner was in the direct
sun and also there was a very large group seated right next to the small table
offered. It would have been a very
uncomfortable place to sit. We explained
that we would like to sit in the main seating area and were told because of my
guide dog our only option was to sit in this front table. We explained to both the hostess and then the
waitress, Jessica, that Cricket was my guide dog and that she is allowed to be
in the restaurant to have the same options of seating as any patrons. We were again told that our option was to sit
in the front outside corner. Jessica
tried to explain that it was because of health codes. I trust that you know this is not the
case. Through the Americans with
Disabilities Act, a guide dog is allowed to be seated in the main seating area
of a restaurant.
I explained again that this is discriminatory and we left with
her telling us to have a nice day!!
We
recognized that the other time we had been to your restaurant we
had been seated outside when it was windy and raining and were not given the option to
go inside. Now we understand why.
I have enclosed some educational pamphlets and would strongly encourage you
to educate your employees so that this type of unfortunate discrimination to a couple that simply wanted to enjoy brunch together doesn’t escalate with
someone else.
As a woman who is blind, I have travelled with a guide dog for
16 years. Thankfully because of the
Americans with Disabilities Act she is allowed to serve as my eyes and guide in
all public places.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call me.
Becky
Ironically before brunch, I had just sent my friend Lydia, a picture of me in my See Beautiful t-shirt and Cricket in her tag that says: See Beautiful. We do. Certainly, there is beautiful to be seen in all experiences. Although, I would have loved to have just enjoyed brunch with my husband, I will embrace this experience to share the beautiful joy of a guide dog that allows an individual who is blind to walk confidently into a restaurant and sit down and enjoy good food and company. There is beauty in the ADA.
09/25/13. I received a call while at work from Tifiny. She had received my letter and apologized for this incident. She asked me if Cricket was wearing an identification! Of course! I explained that yes indeed she was in her harness that clearly states Guide Dogs for the Blind. As an outdoor restaurant they have had challenges with people bringing in their pet dogs others indicating their dog is a service dog. It is a privilege to be able to bring a trained service dog into a public facility. When others don't respect this and try to bring in their pet, it really impacts those who have legitimate service dogs.
Just a picture below of Cricket in her harness. I love these harnesses as it is clearly visible: Guide Dogs for the Blind.
10 comments:
Becky while I know you do not desire "attention" on your self, but you are making the=is a better place, better world for all by stepping forward and respectfully educating others. Four paws up to you. Love the photo of you and Cricket. MOM and I just took a similar photo except I am the one wearing the See Beautiful T-Shirt and MOM has my tag on her necklace. hahhahha yea my MOM is funny like that.
Blessings,
Goose
grrrrrr!!!!! You know how passionately I hate this kind of treatment and discrimination! So frustrating and SO SO SO PROUD of you for educating and "assisting" people to understand your rights and the rights of others.
You're amazing!
So glad you wrote them. We haven't been there and you told me about the good crepes but we won't be going for sure. Hopefully your good wise words will wise them up
It takes more courage to put yourself out there and stand up for your (and all of our) rights. It's never a comfortable experience but silence is so much worse. I just wrote the Seabus (public transit ferry) about the rude behaviour I received today while with my guide dog. Keep standing tall and thank you for sharing your letter.
Unknown - I want to know you! Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry for what you experienced on the ferry.
Thanks, Goose, Shannon and Karen for your support!
THE ADA is BEAUTIFUL. YOU are BEAUTIFUL. Your reaction is BEAUTIFUL. Your willingness to be the voice for others is BEAUTIFUL. Your inspiring beyond what feels comfortable to do what you know is right is BEAUTIFUL. The way you see beautiful is BEAUTIFUL. I am so honored that you and Cricket see and celebrate so much beautiful with us. Seems like I may need to send the crepe place a little see beautiful too! Thank you, Becky, for all you do to create more beautiful in the world for others.
I am so glad that you were able to find beautiful in the moment anyway. It is sad that this situation still happens, recently happened in Canada again too. I thank you for continuing to educate people. Maybe you can carry the educational pamphlets with you so that if it happens again, you have one right at the moment and can sit where you want while they take a moment to read it.
Thanks, Lydia for your amazing support and sharing beautiful.
Rise - Excellent idea.
Love you Becky! For everything you stand for and everyone you inspire. I can't believe how you were treated in the restaurant. I hope they take your letter seriously.
Alanna ... Love you!! Thank you :).
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