Is Segregation of the Disabled Different Than Segregation Based on Race or Religion?

GU Student Sues Popular D.C. Bar After Wheelchair Incident
posted 11:44 pm Wed September 09, 2009 - WASHINGTON from ABC 7 News

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0909/657848.html

Taylor Price, a Georgetown U student who uses a wheelchair since a spinal cord injury 5 years ago, claims he was discriminated against when he tried to head for the piano to enjoy the music with his friends. The manager at the bar insisted he "sit in the corner" because he presented a "safety hazard" to the bar.

Here in Cambridge, City Councillor Marjori Decker, and Ken Reeves want to ban people with disabilities who are accompianied by service dogs to a seperate room, where they can "watch City Council meetings on TV."

Do folks see this as unlawful segregation, or as a good way to "accomodate people with disabilities? What does Federal Civil Rights laws say about segregation? In fact, opposing segregation as a "solution" is the very basis of Federal Civil Rights law.

Price has filed a law suit, and I have filed a complaint with the MCAD, because we believe we should not be excluded from the full and equal enjoyment of the activities in question. What do you think? Is it segregation to exclude PWDs from some areas where other members of the public are allowed?

How would you feel if we told African Americans that they had to sit in the corner, or watch City Council meetings on TV in a seperate room? Woulkd you see that as segregation? Or perhaps we should have a seperate seating section for Jews? I wonder if Michael Muehe, the City's ADA coordinator would agree that wheelchair users pose a safety hazard, and agree to their segregation?

Why has the current City Council not addressed this issue? Will it end up like the Montero case, costing Cambridge taxpayers millions of dollars? I have "won" probable cause, and prevailed against the City's appeal, yet the City refuses to settle. And what am I aslking? I am not asking for millions of dollars, I am asking for the City to obey the Civil Rights Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336, otherwise known as the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Service dogs should be welcome at all public meetings, especially City Council meetings.