I read another news story today that really made me sit up and say "What?" The link is here for you to read if you want to, but allow me to summarize. A man in Florida went to cash a pay check at a bank where he does not have an account. The teller, according to bank policy, asked the man for two forms of identification and to provide his thumb print. While a seemingly innocuous request for most bank patrons, Steve Valdez provided the two forms of identification but was unable to provide a thumb print. That's right, I said "unable" not "unwilling." You see, Mr. Valdez was born without arms, and therefore by extension, without thumbs.
It is at this point where common sense should take over. The teller should have thought, "I have a customer in front of me who has an obvious reason for an inability to provide a thumb print but he has provided two forms of ID. We can probably work with him." The teller did approach her supervisor for clarification and assistance and the supervisor said that it was bank policy to require a thumb print.
It is at this moment when I would have clearly offered to provide the supervisor with the imprint of another part of my anatomy but thankfully Mr. Valdez did not take that approach. However, he was not able to get his check cashed...he could have if his wife had come with him (sounds like getting a permission slip in elementary school) or if he opened up an account at this bank.
The point is this folks--don't hide behind the "It's company policy" line. Hiding behind this lame, overused excuse is no reason to violate individual rights.
3 comments:
It's amazing how ignorant and inflexible some people can be.
Yes...but. The one piece of information I believe missing is the amount of the check. If it was a minimal amount, say $25, then I would definitely be scratching my head at the lack of compassion of the employees. However, if the check was a paycheck or disability check where the bank could be assuming a greater risk, then I would understand their hesitation.
Especially in this economy where there is an abundance of fraud, identifaction cards can be forged all too easily and some people take advantage of their disadvantaged situation. Sadly, man is by nature depraved.
On the surface, I whole-heartedly agree with you, common sense should have prevailed, not to mention love and compassion. However, the absence of the Holy Spirit in people's lives brings the absence of the fruits of His presence.
I saw this news and quickly added it to my file of examples for class to illustrate the ADA. This story reminded my of past experiences.
In the early 1990s when I used to take people with developmental disabilities on community outings, it was novel and clerks or others in the community needed to be educated. Once we went to a place where men had to take off their hats inside. I had a male with me who wore a helmet due to high seizure risk. The staff were so insistent and unyielding in addition to being patronizing that we left. They would not allow the helmet on inside. None of our money was spent at their establishment. It was not good marketing or good customer service.
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