www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall service dog

Hello:

Some time back I wrote asking for prayers regarding my wife's service dog. She is not being allowed to take him to work with her. The EEOC called her today and notified her that they ruled in favour of the county. They also told her that they have never heard of the law that requires an employer to allow a person with disabilities to have a service dog at their place of employment. This is rather shocking to me as we had been advised to contact the EEOC. Please continue to pray regarding this matter as I am very angry and at the end of my rope, I am not having happy thoughts right now. Needless to say my wife is very distressed as well. Thank you.

In Christ:
Converted Viking

Prayers again...

Einar,

Prayers for resolution of this matter in her favor.

Meanwhile, take a look at http://www.ada.gov and specifically at http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm and see what helpful info may be available there. I'd also do a search on that website, as there is other info that may be of use.

Many years,

Neil

Goodness gracious

Prayers that this can be sorted out soon.

Praying the same.

Hello All:

OK, so this is where we are at in the process. We have now been advised to retain legal council. This is going to be interesting as I am going to have to figure out how I am going to pay a lawyer. Please continue with the prayers for guidance regarding this issue. My wife will probably be retiring in 3 years or so and we have to decide if the battle is worth the aggravation.

In Christ:
Converted Viking

Find a handicapped advocacy group that will take the case pro bono, or a regular lawyer who will work on contingency. I advise the former, as you get more zealous people who are experts in the field.

I advise you to proceed with the suit for the sake of the next person in your wife's situation. I had some friends whose daughter had Chrone's Disease, which made it difficult for her to attend school regularly. Fairfax County Public Schools was not making reasonable accommodations for her disability, so in the end, they had to sue. In the interim, they decided to pull their daughter out of her high school and enroll her in Stanford University's on-line high school program. But the investigation by the Civil Rights Division went on regardless, and both FCPS and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology ("America's Best High School") were found in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and required to implement changes. So, the girl didn't benefit, but the next girl will.

Hi Stuart:

I talked to the chap who is ADA advocate here in Raleigh and all he was able to do was give me the phone number to the bar association in order to find the proper lawyer. There is nothing that he can do about the situation. In short we have been left out in the cold by the various agencies we have been dealing with.

In Christ:
Converted Viking

Hmmm. I am surprised, given that Raleigh-Durham has law schools up the wazoo, all chock full of bright young wannabees looking to make a name for themselves. Here in the DC region, I could probably find a pro bono advocacy lawyer in an afternoon.

I would check with national disabilities rights groups--focusing on your wife's, if it has a specific diagnosis or definition. They can probably recommend someone to you.

Einar,

I'm moving this thread to Town Hall, not because I think the time for prayers has been exhausted, just that it has moved so far to the practical that I think that's best.

Many years,

Neil

Einar,

A possible resource for you
Disability Rights North Carolina [disabilityrightsnc.org]

Many years,

Neil

Hello Neil:

Been there, done that. Disability Rights of North Carolina told my wife to file a complaint with the EEOC which she did. EEOC in turn has ruled in favour of no one and has given my wife a "Dismissal and Notice of Rights" letter releasing her so that she can sue in a court of law. I guess I shouldn't say much more at this point if we are going to be going that route. I do appreciate the suggestion though.

In Christ:
Einar

Einar,

Just an idea but you will probably be more successful relying on the Americans with Disabilities Act than the EEOC.

Fr. Deacon Lance

Hello Father Deacon:

I have so much going on in my head right now that I have lost track of the events that have transpiored. It seems to me that were directed by DOJ to file with the EEOC though my memory is not clear on the is. We will look into once again and go from there.

In Christ:
Einar

Einar,

I absolutely agree with Deacon Lance on this point.

Many years,

Neil