Disability Rights and Access Summary

People with assistance dogs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The summary below highlights some of the most important aspects of the law.

• Assistance dogs are protected by the federal law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• The ADA guarantees that all people with disabilities have the legal right to use their assistance animal in all areas that are open to the general public.

• “No pet” policies do not apply to assistance animals, even in facilities that sell or prepare food.

• Assistance animals come in all breeds and sizes, and are not required to wear special identifying items when they work.

• Businesses may not ask a person to prove his or her disability and may not ask for proof that an assistance animal is certified.

• Assistance animals may only be removed from a public environment for excessive barking and/or disruptive behavior (this is highly unlikely to occur.)

• Allergies and/or fear of animals are not valid reasons for denying or refusing service to people accompanied by an assistance animal.

• Businesses may not charge an extra fee to disabled individuals that are accompanied by an assistance animal, and may not seat the person in a separate area from other patrons.

• Always ask a disabled individual before touching his or her assistance animal. Assistance animals are friendly, but any form of distraction could cause problems for the handler – even when the handler is seated.