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ARKANSAS


Arkansas Act 484 of 1973, Chapter 29, Sections 82-2901 through 82-2907; Chapter 14, Sections 20-14-301 through 20-14-306 Arkansas statutory law guarantees a blind person the legal right to equal opportunity in the areas of housing employment, and the use of public accommodations and public carriers. It further guarantees the right of a blind person to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in the enjoyment of these rights and privileges. The dog guide user cannot be charged land extra fee because of the dog's presence, but the dog guide user is liable for any damage the dog might cause. The right to employment, which the statute ensures, covers jobs in state government or political subdivisions of Arkansas, including schools and fields of academic activity receiving state funding. The only employment circumstances not covered are those where a physical disability makes it impossible to meet job requirements.
(Sect. 82-2901, 20-14-301) The right to "equal accommodations" extends to all housing, except for private single family swellings, a portion of, which are made available for rent. The landlord is not required to modify the accommodations or to assume a higher standard of care. (Sect. 82-2903, 82-2904, 20-14-305) Public accommodations, for the purpose of this Act, include hotels, places of resorts and recreation, public buildings, restaurants, and all other places to which the public is invited. (Sect. 82-2901, 82-2902, 82-2903, 82-2904, 20-14-303) Common carriers and conveyances include all modes of transportation open to public use, whether by air, land or water. (82-2901, 82-2903, 82-2904) The driver of a vehicle approaching a visually handicapped or hearing impaired person, who is carrying a cane, which is predominately white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip or using a guide or hearing ear dog or the driver of a vehicle approaching an otherwise handicapped person, shall take all reasonable precautions to avoid injury to the visually handicapped, hearing impaired, or other physically handicapped pedestrian. (20-14-306) Violation: Any person, firm, corporation or agent thereof who violates the above rights is guilty of a misdemeanor. (82-2906, 20-14-302)



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