Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!wtm
From: storer@hercules.csl.sri.com (Martin Storer)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Dating service
Message-ID: <13479@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 14 Aug 90 13:03:57 GMT
Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Reply-To: storer@hercules.csl.sri.com (Martin Storer)
Distribution: misc
Organization: Calspan Corporation ATC  Buffalo, NY
Lines: 33
Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP

Index Number: 9797

I have a handicapped friend who had the following experience:

He contacted a dating service in the Buffalo, NY area.  They
had three prerequisites for "membership" or whatever their term
was:  (1) must have access to "your own transportation"; (2) must
have telephone; (3) must have full-time job.  Dave has a full-time job but
can't drive and probably won't ever be able to, so they denied
him access to their services.

They told him these rules were in effect to enable them to back
up their guarantee of x number of introductions per month.  (I don't
see how the full-time-job rule relates to that...)

It's clear that that's only part of the story.  Yes, those rules will
help insure that they can deliver what they promise, but they also
have the effect of excluding many disabled people and other
"undesirables" such as unemployed people, phone-less recluses, etc.
I see no reason why they can't bend their rules in Dave's case, maybe
guaranteeing fewer introductions since he doesn't drive.

So--has anyone had any similar experiences?  What should Dave do about
such blatant discrimination?  Do any ADA provisions protect people in
his situation?  Responses eagerly awaited.

Thanks,

	Marty
--
Reply to: ...!{watmath,boulder,rutgers}!acsu.buffalo.edu!planck!storer%hercules

Disclaimer:  I speak for all right-thinking folk.