Hi Everyone,
So I just left the Start Bar in downtown St. Louis, where I was refused the opportunity to play pinball because of my friend’s trained (and vested) cardiac service dog. They explained that “this is the owner’s policy at all of their venues.”
This is not only obviously non-inclusive, but also a direct violation of federal law. My friend, who is an attorney, calmly shared the law, and the even gave the manager a card with the statute on it. The manager offered for us to stay outside on the porch. I explained that pinball machines don’t drag easily. The manager reinforced that we were not welcome inside. We left.
Pinball is becoming more inclusive every day, with increased focus on inclusivity and representation with regard to race, gender, disability, etc. As a community, we must not allow our public venues to practice exclusive behavior.
Please talk to your favorite venue, and find out if they make reasonable, legal accommodations for disability. If they don’t, please encourage them to review their responsibilities as per the Americans with Disabilities Act. And if they refuse after being informed and continue to practice prejudice, please refuse to patronize them and let them know why.
Our quarters, dollars and drink orders are how we tell businesses whether they are doing things right. I hope you will use yours to make sure pinball is accessible.
Thanks,
Justin