Category: News and Views
Blind Woman Refused Restaurant Service
On June 23, 2005, my friend who is blind and I were refused service at a
Toronto restaurant. Jan (a pseudonym, she prefers to remain anonymous) is
blind and uses a guide dog. The owner of the Capitol
Trattoria Pizzeria Restaurant told us that she did not like dogs and would
not serve us. We explained that Jan was blind, that she needed the guide dog
and that, furthermore, under the provisions of the Blind Persons Rights Act,
the owner was legally required to serve us. None of this made any
impression. We left and ate a lovely meal at the Diplomatico Restaurant
across the street. (We highly recommend the Diplomatico for great food and
service!).
Because we were incensed by our treatment and did not want other blind
people to endure what we did, we contacted the police and asked them to
charge the owner under the provisions of the Blind Persons Rights Act.
Refusing a blind person entrance to a public place is a provincial offense
rather than a criminal offense and results in a fine rather than jail time.
It is quicker than complaining to the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
The police spoke with the restaurant owner who had been unaware of the
legislation. She was cautioned not to refuse entry to other blind people.
We were told by police that because Jan nor I lived in Toronto, it would be
logistically difficult to pursue charges. The owner could arrive at the
hearing and ask for an adjournment, necessitating multiple trips to
Toronto, etc. Jan decided to accept the apology. We also wanted to let
members of our community know about the accident and ask for your
assistance.
If you are blind and use a guide dog, please go to the Capitol Trattoria
Pizzeria Restaurant, located at 597 College Street, just west of Bathurst.
If you do not like Italian food, just have a drink. We want to make sure
that other guide dog users are not turned away. If you are turned away, let
the police know about the complaint made by us on June 23rd.
If you are a sighted ally, do drop by the restaurant and let the owner know
you are aware of her treatment of blind people and that you do not approve
of the way in which she behaved. You can also contact the owner by phone at
416-534-2942. That way, the owner will realize that discrimination against
blind people is not condoned by potential customers. Thanks, in advance, for
your assistance with this matter, Lilith Finkler
Good Job! I just love it! Now that's fighting for your rights!
Way to go! The public needs to know that we will not endure such treatment. Wouldn't the restaurant owner just love it if a group of guide dog users showed up? She wouldn't be able to turn everyone away and get away with it.
Niiice advocacy there man. Cheers!