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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2022 - 03 - 30 - ID#tsge8t
2
Does anyone know if a guide dog is legally allowed in a kitchen in which food is being prepared? (self.Blind)
submitted by doodoobrown530
MC_Dubois 5 points 1y ago
Sorry are you asking about kitchens like in a restaurant context?

If so I do not have a direct answer but that would depend on the regulations of the governing body in your area for commercial restaurants.

You may have to cross-reference this with the disability acts and legislation in your area as well.
doodoobrown530 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
I was trying to avoid giving too much information but I work as an O&M in a training facility for individuals with visual impairments. A student of mine when entering the kitchen of our training facility was told by his ADL instructor that the dog was not allowed in the kitchen. As an O&M and not a guide dog trainer I don’t know all of the minutiae of legalities of service animals and where they can/can’t go. It’s in the US. I’ve been doing research on the ADA and even the Food Codes in the state I work in but can’t find too much on the internet. Figured I’d turn to Reddit haha.
Bsmith0799 3 points 1y ago
Like, a commercial kitchen? Or like, your roommate doesn't want the dog present when food is prepared?

Because the answer to your question depends on the type of kitchen. https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html#exc

Q10. Can a person bring a service animal with them as they go through a salad bar or other self-service food lines?

A. Yes. Service animals must be allowed to accompany their handlers to and through self-service food lines. Similarly, service animals may not be prohibited from communal food preparation areas, such as are commonly found in shelters or dormitories.
doodoobrown530 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
So I did find that when I was searching earlier today and shared it with my boss, but not sure what the ruling is because it is not a restaurant kitchen and also not necessarily a self-service area.
blindchickruns 2 points 1y ago
If it's a kitchen where they live or work you're covered. If it's not covered in the law at all for whatever activity you have planned then you might have to get a lawyer.
Bsmith0799 2 points 1y ago
What exactly IS it lol? Is it like, a break room kitchen? Or similar to what a college would have? Etc.
doodoobrown530 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
It’s a kitchen where people with visual impairments are trained on non-visual cooking skills.
Bsmith0799 2 points 1y ago
Who's eating the food prepared while the dog is present? If only you, I'd say it's closest to self service, albeit with assistance.

If you prepare it for others, then I'd say its closest to a commercial kitchen.
Crafty_Dragon_roll 2 points 1y ago
When I went to culinary school and yes a guide was allowed in the kitchen. This school also served food Tuesday and Thursdays to the community as part of the degree program.

I didn't have a guide dog but a student before me did and when they found out I was visually impaired they wanted to let me know I could bring my dog if I had one.
bayou_firebaby 2 points 1y ago
Service dogs (including but not limited to guide dogs) are allowed in any area that is *open to the public*, unless the presence of the dog will alter the nature of the business. (Service dog trainer here, not a lawyer.) So I’d say no, the dog should not be allowed in the kitchen.
MaplePaws 2 points 1y ago
The question is if you have to follow health code or not. A personal kitchen in your house for example would not be following state health codes, but a restaurant would be. So if you don't have to follow health code then it would be situational, if there is a reasoning relating to the safe use of the kitchen that can be cited (like a lack of space to have the dog and permit safe movement around the kitchen) than the dog can be denied since it would be an unreasonable accommodation but if there is not a safety or similar reason then the dog would be permitted as a reasonable accommodation. If you have to follow health code it would be a hard no.
DannyMTZ956 1 points 1y ago
Is the individual using the services of their dog guide in the kitchen? Is the dog off and out of the harness?
My Friends with dog guides don’t need their dog to guide them to the refrigirater and back to the counter. In fact, as they are concentrating in cooking, they rather not bring their dog to the kitchen, as they would then have to monitor that the dog won’t touch or eat something they shouldn't.
DannyMTZ956 1 points 1y ago
-it's a rehabilitation center for the blind. People are there to train on their independent living skills, including mobility skills, which would includethe use of their dog guide.
As the kitchen is meant to resemble the individual’s home’s kitchen, the dog should be allowed in there. According to ADA, the dog guide should be allowed even in a commercial kitchen.
PrincessDie123 1 points 1y ago
I would suggest giving a call to the guide dog school that the animal came from, I don’t remember coming in contact with guide dogs in the kitchen when I was participating in training myself my guess is it’s probably not a good place to have a guide dog because of a tripping hazard as well as potential for dropped knives/hot food. Cooking class taught us how to organize our kitchen so we wouldn’t need an aid so I’m gonna say probably not.
doodoobrown530 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
We’re going to contact the Seeing Eye tomorrow.
PrincessDie123 1 points 1y ago
Good luck
Complex_Platform_981 0 points 1y ago
They are not
doodoobrown530 [OP] 5 points 1y ago
Thank you so much. Any idea as to where I can find this information written so I can present it?
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