Service Animals and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Department of Justice published revised final regulations implementing the American with Disabilities Act, changing portions of Title III (public accommodations and commercial facilities) on September 15, 2010.

Effective March 15, 2011, only dogs are recognized as service animals under Title III.  Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.  Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD).  Service animals are working animals, not pets.  Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

For more information about the ADA, visit www.ADA.gov or telephone (800) 514-0301.  

View Further Details of This Act HERE  

CIGA has updated its website to keep you better informed.

CLICK HERE to view Call for Action, or CLICK HERE to see archived

Legislative Updates and Trade News.

CIGA's President Jeff Snadow attended Food Marketing Institute's  (FMI) State Association Council Retreat in Palm Beach, Florida last week. Grocers Associations around the country came together and shared information.

Mr. Snadow presented CIGA's Radio Program to a captivated audience of grocery industry leaders who provided positive feedback about the program.

FMI notified CIGA that its website, www.ciga.org, was in the top 1% of all state association websites in terms of material and design, and we couldn't be more proud!

"The FMI Retreat really opened up my eyes to the potential CIGA has for growth and positive evolution. I look forward to evaluating all that I learned and find ways to develop additional benefits for CIGA's members," said Mr. Snadow.  

CIGA looks to these types of events to help expand its knowledge and creativity to make the Association an ongoing source of benefits for its members.

(FMI DailyLead Article) - A study by Motista shows that 18% of consumers feel an emotional connection to retailers they know, but these shoppers are more likely to turn to those stores when they need to make a purchase. Connected customers are also more likely to respond to direct mail, follow their retailers on social media and recommend a retailer to others.

See Entire Article Here

The NACS Show is the #1 buying show in the country according to Exhibit Surveys, Inc. and provides the most comprehensive representation of products and services for the convenience industry. Retailers come to the NACS Show to discover proven ideas and strategies that enable them to increase sales, attract new customers, build their brand and improve their bottom line.

Suppliers exhibit at the Show to establish a presence in the convenience channel, obtain sales leads, increase product exposure and introduce new products. Last year, more than 22,000 people attended the NACS Show from 65 countries and more than 1,300 companies exhibited.