Apparently, some of the people who refuse to wear masks during the pandemic are carrying cards around, which threaten businesses if they refuse to serve the mask-less person.
The card claims that the person holding it has a disability and thus doesn’t have to wear a mask.
Those of us who are disabled (and those of us with critical thinking skills) know that’s not how disability accommodations work.
If someone really couldn’t wear a mask, the accommodation wouldn’t be to simply let them in; it would be to make sure they can still access the goods. Thus, they might give their shopping list to an employee and have them brought out.
My students who need accommodations don’t get to just skip the exams; we figure out a way for them to take it with modifications.
However, you don’t need to know ANY of this to know that this card is bunk.
Some of this information is true. That is the ADA number, and the ADA does have guidelines and penalties.
However, this card is a lie.
The DOJ symbol is not authorized; this card is not government-approved.
The person who would show this is hoping you won’t look closely.
If you did, you might notice that the word “poses” is spelled incorrectly, and that government agencies don’t end in “.com.”
What is FTBA, anyway?
It’s the “Freedom to Breathe Agency.” I went to their website, so you don’t have to. There’s almost no information, just a picture of two kids enjoying the sunshine and some vague claims about freedom and America. It’s not clear at all that it’s about flouting pandemic policies.
But that’s what it’s about, and it’s counting on its visitors knowing that.
They’re not good at clarity, not good at spelling, not good at logic, not good at science, and not good at empathy.
But they’re a great example of why evaluating sources is essential!
