I was refused entry into the local Social Security office today. Rather than insist, I am going back in the morning with papers in hand.

The Officer at the door refused me entry because I did not have "national certification" for my service dog. I explained that there was no such thing. He asked all types of (illegal) questions and I shared politely with him that asking "that" was against the law.

He informed me that, being a federal building, they aren't under the ADA. When I asked him where he read that he said it was in his handbook. I told him it needed to be changed.

Tomorrow morning, if I can rise early enough, I will return to the office before everyone else, and give the gentleman a copy of the UPDATED Section 504, which includes the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which extension was done in 1987!

When I called the Department of Justice, ADA department, the lady said that it would be best if I (also) told the Supervisor the information. So maybe I'll take two copies, one in an envelope with a letter explaining the need for current information.

I feel for those who cannot communicate as well as I in such circumstances, and know this frustration. Even though I was quite eloquent with the man, his training failed him somewhere. Those who are totally deaf (or otherwise unable to self-advocate) don't have a chance!

Local US Representative's or Senator's office and get the telephone number of WHO to speak to at that SS office about this? Your situation is really why the congressmen have staffs.
The junk this 'guard' spewed to you about service dogs is well, dog poop. And not only this guard but likely the whole guard staff needs to be educated!
Federal buildings are NOT exempt from ADA compliance, far from it. The only difference is that fines aren't imposed on them for the lack of compliance. Go figger.
Do you have this 'guard's' name? Be sure to include that in any conversations you have within the SS building's exec's and with congressmen's and senator's offices. This guy is in BIG trouble for denying you access-especially more than once. Be sure to include all the 'questions' he asked you...He is in no postion to ask inappropriate questions when he doesn't even know the LAWS. Next time? Bring a friend who can witness such stupidity.
If that all doesn't work? Call the newspapers. It would be a good 'human interest' story for them and get you IN! Where you should be to begin with!
Keep us up to date on how well you succeed, please! Hugs and hope! - j s

How is this going JD? What a bunch of baloney!~ Dahlek's suggestions are very good. Please let us know how this transpires.

Hi all. I did go back and was permitted entry, yet the guard insisted that he hadn't refused me entry the day before! Then, quite by accident I'm "sure"... he once again punched in info for me to be in line and he didn't do it correctly. I ended up waiting for the wrong person, and then had to wait for the correct one, much behind others I was ahead of in the first place.

My dog became physically ill during all this...as a side note. When I noticed him salivating, I began to take him outside. Someone had "propped up" a disabled woman against the wall... hiding the push button door control! We only made it to the elevator because of the delay. (Yes, I cleaned it up.) I also developed a migraine while inside.

I did take the paperwork to the guard when I returned that morning. He told me it still didn't apply to him because he is with HOMELAND SECURITY. Any complaint I had would have to go to the main office. BTW he never directly addressed me, facing me to talk, always to the side and never looked at me in the eyes the second day.

I gave him the paperwork, and noted his name. Once home, I wrote my congressman. No reply as yet. I also emailed a recent acquaintance who is with homeland security. No reply either.

But now I have another issue... time valued... see other thread?

I was refused entry in to the court room for my son in a very bad trial the judge asked me what was the medical need and that my dog did not go to school i have a letter from a licened Doctor here iin Anchorage Alaska i went on t.v and do not know where else to go and Alaska thinks assist dogs are for the blind only i tryed to explain it to him but he said his court room is not a doggie day camp i felt so very up set my dog has never been refused entry anywhere i was in another court room with him for the first part of this trial in Palmer ,Alaska and was allowed entry how do i get my rights to be able to go in to court with my dog? any help you could pass on would help Thank you Sherry

Hi Sherry
I have also sent a message to the OP so that perhaps they can return to this thread to give you info on this

My husband is an attorney and he says...

Judges are very territorial and may have rules about their court and others do not. Unless the rules are very egregious, and illegal, there is not much anyone can do.

I saw a trial where not ONE spectator was allowed to cry or make a sound of any kind!
I saw one trial, where the mother of a victim was NOT allowed to show any emotion during her testimony. This was on CourtTV/InSessions, and the attorneys commented on it.
Some courts will not allow any spectator to read during the trial.
(this happened when I was called to jury duty once). At that trial no gum chewing was allowed either for spectators!

I am not saying you are in the wrong. I am saying that the judge may be pretty powerful. Some are really strict and others let people whisper during trials...it swings both ways.

If this judge was elected...a public outcry in the media may be helpful, and watch for the re-election and bring up again.
Going thru the judicial tenure committee format may only be helpful if there are other complaints against him, and takes time.

Some judges will limit anything that distracts the jury from listening to the case. ANYTHING. Some will not allow cameras, and others will. This is why you were allowed your dog in the first trial, and ran into a problem during the second.

Alaska has some unusual laws too. Did you know birth and death records (which are public in other states) are kept sealed in Alaska for 100yrs (for birth) and 50 yrs for death/marriage/divorce) !??? (for example)
http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/bvs/

Is there an association for therapy/medical dogs in your state?
I'd join them and as a larger body, they may be able to shed more light on your plight and help you too.

These are just my observations.
If it were me in your shoes, I'd get some meds from the doctor to help me attend a trial like this. It has to be very difficult and painful, and I couldn't do it without medical help.

BUT even so, judges may declare a degree of 'decorum and control' in their feifdoms, they must STILL Follow state and federal laws!
I found this one site which addresses this access issue:
http://sdog.danawheels.net/
Key info is about halfway down under 'State Disability/Service Dog Laws
Once you've got any 'laws' in your paws, so to speak... contact first the head judge of the courts or the 'Clerk of the Court' who runs things...and ask why not? Don't be emotional, just cite facts, chapters and verse. Assert your rights!
Also contact your state senators and reps to help you thru this morass...don't forget you are dealing w/people who are mostly ignorant.
I guess I'd also suggest that you try and find some way to get your friend 'certified' and used to wearing one of those dog vests labeled 'SERVICE DOG'! Obtaining certification might just not be as hard as you think it is because there are lots of dedicated people working hard to help you. YOu just have to find them and ask!
Ignorance of the handicapped is rampant - I once had my cane yanked out of my hands because it had a brass ferrule to run thru the x-ray [at a courthouse]. Then I had to have help to walk thru security! Yep my cane is one heck of a dangerous weapon! Silly stupid people.
I hope this helps - yes it means a lot of hassle, but....It will benefit you and ever so many others in the future!
Please give your creature an extra 'cookie' from me! 's - j

I think you will find information on this site: http://www.vomilghaus.com/servicedog...IFICATION.html

They state that a judge can make you prove the dog is a service dog.

But here's a link about a law suit for just what has happened to you: http://www.katu.com/news/41032217.html


THE FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAW, THE AMERICANS DISABILITIES ACT (ADA, TITLE III)
28 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, SECT. 36.104)

DEFINES A SERVICE ANIMAL AS ANY ANIMAL THAT IS INDIVIDUALLY TRAINED TO HELP A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY (THE DISABILITY MIGHT NOT BE VISIBLE).
BY LAW, A SERVICE ANIMAL IS NOT CONSIDERED A PET.

Make sure do have a vest or harness with a service dog patch stating it is a service dog. Not required, but it helps. If you can contact a trainer in the area, and have them come and evaluate your dog, and perhaps run him through the paces, perhaps for the cause or a small fee, will "certify" your service animal. (Should not be required but some judges... especially now with current administration making it so judges can create and change laws rather than rule with them.)

You also need to be able to state at least 3 things that the service animal does for you, that you cannot do for yourself. (It doesn't have to be needed all the time.) But why you need the service animal in court specifically is a good start.

You might contact the ACLJ (an alternative to the ACLU, but you might contact them too...they do take some cases just because.) The ACLJ is the American Center for Law and Justice. They might have some free advice?http://aclj.org/

IDK but maybe an internet search for a JUDGE with a service dog in court would be a good contact, if one exists (I'm sure they do!)

It's often difficult for the disabled person to give cause and quote the law, especially to a judge! If you can find an advocate, such as a trainer or a Service Animal training organization to provide you with assistance, that would be a good thing imo.

But still, judges have become gods and creating law these days.

Why not contact your governor, and local congressman/woman? The local news media might take a jump on it too, especially if they happen to know if that judge has had issues with others before.

Good wishes on all you're handling.

All such wonderful advice. But fighting the system can be so tiring. Me, I'd be checking all these avenues and let my voice be heard for sure.