The young girl in the UK was traumatized by American clothier
By Stephen Pate – Abercrombie and Fitch has been fined $115,264 by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights for discriminating against an autistic girl.
Abercrombie seems to have trouble dealing with disability human rights. They just lost a case in Britain where they were found to have wrongfully dismissed Riam Dean because of her disability. Abercrombie & Fitch must pay US $15,000 to student with prosthetic arm dismissed for “looks”
Employees at the store in Mall of the Americas would not let a family member accompany a 14 year old autistic child into the fitting room.
“Judge Kathleen Sheehy, an administrative law judge, found that the retailer had discriminated against the 14-year-old girl, in violation of state statutes. Sheehy ordered the fine this month, after the retailer repeatedly refused to respond to the daughter’s mother’s request for an apology and denied engaging in discriminatory practices.” MPR
The girl was traumatized by the event.
A psychologist who interviewed the autistic girl said she reported feeling “bad,” “scared,” and “nervous.” The girl told the psychologist, “It’s all my fault. I hate autism.” She added, “I am a misfit at Abercrombie.” MPR
The girl was shopping with her 17 year old sister who is also a caregiver. The older sister wanted to help the girl with autism in the fitting room. Store employees would not allow the sister to accompany the autistic girl, who cannot be left alone, despite the older sister’s explanation.
When the mother arrived she got the run-around from employees, the manager and A&F customer service staff. The one-person-per-fitting room policy is meant to reduce theft.
The mother tried to lodge a complaint but Abercrombie employees would not assist her.
Court documents show the actual policy does allow disability accommodation.
“The company’s associate handbook states that only one person is allowed in a fitting room at a time, but adds, “Some exceptions to this rule include parents with their kids and a disabled person’s assistant.” The company designed the policy to reduce theft.”
Rita Shreffler, the executive director of the National Autism Association, said discrimination against people with autism is common, although she has not heard of other incidents involving fitting rooms.
“The attitude is kind of pervasive out there that because you can’t see the disability, an assumption is made that something else is off,” Shreffler said.
“This breaks my heart,” Shreffler said, adding that she thinks the fines should have been higher.
Sheehy ordered the company to pay the girl $25,000 for mental anguish, and cover $41,069 in attorney fees. The company also had to pay a $25,000 fine, as well as other expenses totaling $24,194. MPR
People with autism can face social discrimination. The offenders either claim they can’t tell there is a disability or the person with autism has symptoms that are too visible. How can they win?
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