TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)--People will gather in protest Friday in Tallahassee in support of a legally blind woman who claims she was mistreated by security officers for bringing her guide dog to the Museum of Florida History.
Tiffany Baylor says she attended the museum on the first day of Meet the Blind Month to visit a tactile quilt display.
She says a security officer grabbed her service dog's harness, saying he needed more proof in order for her to have the dog inside the museum. She says her dog's harness was marked with "guide dogs for the blind."
Baylor says the officers told her the Americans with Disabilities Act and Florida laws regarding service animals do not apply in state buildings.
The National Federation of the Blind will be gathering outside of the museum from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday to protest. Attached is a letter U.S. Security Associates, Inc. sent to Baylor.
The Department of Management Services released the following statement:
"The Department of Management Services was made aware of circumstances that occurred on October 1, 2014, involving a citizen and a security guard within the R.A. Gray Building, which is a DMS managed facility. The Department of Management Services has released security camera video that may be relevant to the matter. Capitol Police are currently looking into the matter and DMS has directed the private security company to review its protocols with respect to training. The Department of Management Services strives to make all guests feel comfortable in its buildings with respect to accessibility and safety. We will continue to make every effort to ensure all guests can access our managed buildings appropriately to conduct business or enjoy Florida's history. The company is apologizing and we feel that is the right thing to do."
