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IC 16-32-3-1
Public policy
Sec. 1. It is the policy of this state to encourage and enable
individuals who are blind, individuals with a visual disability, and
other individuals with a physical disability to participate fully in the
social and economic life of the state and to engage in remunerative
employment.
As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.23-1993, SEC.65;
P.L.99-2007, SEC.155.
IC 16-32-3-2
Public accommodations; guide dogs
Sec. 2. (a) As used in this section, "public accommodation" means
an establishment that caters or offers services, facilities, or goods to
the general public.
(b) A person who:
(1) is totally or partially blind;
(2) is hearing impaired; or
(3) has a physical disability;
is entitled to be accompanied by a guide dog, especially trained for
the purpose, in any public accommodation without being required to
pay an extra charge for the guide dog. However, the person is liable
for any damage done to the accommodation by the dog.
(c) A person who:
(1) refuses access to a public accommodation; or
(2) charges a fee for access to a public accommodation;
to a person who is totally or partially blind, who has a hearing
impairment, or who has a physical disability because that person is
accompanied by a guide dog commits a Class C infraction.
(d) A guide dog trainer, while engaged in the training process of
a guide dog, is entitled to access to any public accommodation
granted by this section.
As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.99-2007,
SEC.156.
IC 16-32-3-3
Offenses; failure to take precautions to avoid injury to blind
pedestrian; unauthorized carrying of cane
Sec. 3. (a) A person not totally blind who:
(1) approaches a totally or partially blind pedestrian carrying a
cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without
a red tip, or using a guide dog; and
(2) fails to take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to the
blind pedestrian;
commits a Class C infraction.
(b) A person not totally or partially blind who carries, in a public
place, a cane or walking stick that is white and tipped with red
commits a Class C infraction.
As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.15.
IC 16-32-3-4
White Cane Safety Day
Sec. 4. Each year the governor shall take suitable public notice of
October 15 as "White Cane Safety Day". The governor shall issue a
proclamation in which the governor does the following:
(1) Comments upon the significance of the white cane.
(2) Calls upon the citizens of Indiana to observe the provisions
of the white cane law and to take precautions necessary to the
safety of individuals with a disability.
(3) Reminds the citizens of Indiana of the policies with respect
to individuals with a disability and urges the citizens to
cooperate in giving effect to the policies.
(4) Emphasizes the need of the citizens to do the following:
(A) Be aware of the presence of individuals with a disability
in the community.
(B) Keep safe and functional for individuals with a disability
the streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, public buildings,
public facilities, other public places, places of public
accommodation, amusement, and resort, and other places to
which the public is invited.
(C) Offer assistance to individuals with a disability upon
appropriate occasions.
As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.99-2007,
SEC.157.
IC 16-32-3-5
Public employment; terms and conditions
Sec. 5. It is the policy of this state that individuals who are blind,
individuals with a visual disability, and other individuals with a
physical disability shall be employed in:
(1) the state service;
(2) the service of the political subdivisions of the state;
(3) the public schools; and
(4) all other employment supported in whole or in part by
public funds;
on the same terms and conditions as the able-bodied, unless it is
shown that the particular disability prevents the performance of the
work involved.
As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.23-1993, SEC.66;
P.L.99-2007, SEC.158.