Laws for disabled misunderstood

The Americans with Disabilities Act is federal civil rights legislation for the disabled. It doesn’t police disabled people with service dogs; it advocates for them. In the past weeks, I feel as though I have seen several people misinterpret the ADA/Service Dog Provision with a bias toward the non-handicapped public.

The Human Rights Commission ensures the civil rights of disabled people with service dogs. I’ve filed a successful HRC complaint for store staff harassing me over my service dog. A civil lawsuit was available as well.

A drunken man in a grocery store also accosted me about my service dog. That’s something which we, the disabled community, must not tolerate; a 911 call is the remedy.

I am an uncontrolled epileptic. My spouse is a 100 percent disabled veteran. To function normally, we must have service dogs. Banks, stores and eateries we go to are understanding, savvy and fantastic. We’re conscientious, courteous and careful with everyone but some are just dog-hating bigots.

Can people see the ADA as the civil rights legislation it is meant to be, in the spirit of Susan B. Anthony, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Caesar Chavez? With the extension going to the disabled with service dogs?

Catherine Humberg

Spokane