Submitted by Justice4All (not verified) on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 9:33am.
No, the store owner is completely wrong about being able to refuse service to anyone. Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans With Disabilities Act, a business that engages in commerce and offers a place of public accommodation (read "store") must be non-discriminatory. The famous Heart of Atlanta Motel case (see http://www.oyez.org/cases/1960-1969/1964/1964_515) is the "case on point." There are protected classes of people and a person with disabilities -- even with a guide dog -- is a protected person under Federal and state law. The store owner's ignorance of the law is no excuse and no defense.
No, the owner is wrong
No, the store owner is completely wrong about being able to refuse service to anyone. Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans With Disabilities Act, a business that engages in commerce and offers a place of public accommodation (read "store") must be non-discriminatory. The famous Heart of Atlanta Motel case (see http://www.oyez.org/cases/1960-1969/1964/1964_515) is the "case on point." There are protected classes of people and a person with disabilities -- even with a guide dog -- is a protected person under Federal and state law. The store owner's ignorance of the law is no excuse and no defense.