Blind influencer thrown out: Did restaurant break the law?
Blind individuals often encounter discrimination and challenges in living everyday lives. The lack of one of their most crucial senses makes everyday activities as challenging for them as climbing Mount Everest. Discrimination is also a significant issue that people with disabilities are actively combatting.
Life for people with disabilities is filled with a wide range of challenges, both big and small. They face discrimination, ridicule, hate speech, and struggle with daily activities that can be difficult or impossible to perform. There is a common misconception that a person is not disabled if their illness is not visible, which is far from the truth.
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Society often perceives people with disabilities as not deserving of love, joy, happiness, or the pursuit of their dreams. While influencers worldwide are working to change these harmful attitudes, there is still a long and difficult road ahead.
Blind influencer talks about his life on social media
Paul Castle is an American writer, cartoonist, and influencer who has lost about 90% of his vision due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, a disease that causes gradual breakdown of cells in the retina, leading to vision loss. Castle uses social media to raise awareness about his condition.
Together with his husband, he shares videos demonstrating the extent of his visual impairment. His partner often tests how long it takes Paul to realise that a room is filled with unexpected objects, such as plush penguins.
In his daily life, Paul is assisted by his guide dog, Mr. Maple. The certified guide dog serves as his "second pair of eyes," but outings with the dog are not always entirely pleasant.
Paul Castle was turned away from a restaurant
On Monday, May 14, 2024, Paul Castle recorded a video discussing his experience visiting a restaurant. During his visit to a Seattle establishment, he was asked to leave because he had brought his dog, Mr. Maple. The restaurant staff refused entry to Mr. Maple, with one waiter even commenting that Paul Castle "doesn't look blind." He was also questioned about seeing other dogs around despite Mr. Maple assisting him due to his blindness.
Paul Castle mentioned that this incident was not isolated in his life. He highlighted that restaurants frequently reject individuals with service dogs, which is a violation of US law.
The Americans with Disabilities Act clearly states that service animals have the right to enter all public places. People with disabilities who use service animals are not obligated to provide documentation for the animal's use. Staff at public facilities may only inquire whether the animal is a service animal and what tasks it has been trained to perform.
