We Need To Look At Policies Procedures and Rules!

I think it's time for any institution that deals with the public, take a good look at their policies and procedures, and start rewriting them! Especially after reading what happened to Mr. Steve Valdez.

Seems Mr. Valdez from Tampa Fla. went into a Bank of America to cash a check from his wife, who also has an account there. No big deal right? WRONG! The teller told Mr. Valdez that before they could cash the check he would have to give them a thumb print, ( it was bank policy). That was her first mistake. Her second mistake was when she acknowledge the fact he could not give a thumb print......not because he didn't want to, but you see Mr. Valdez wears prosthetic devices, he was born without arms.

The banks third mistake was messing with Mr. Valdez! After the teller saw he could not do the thumb print, she went to get a supervisor, Mr. Valdez produced 2 pieces of ID and still that wasn't enough.

The supervisor gave him 2 options. One, he could bring his wife back with him, or Two, he could open an account himself.

Well as you can imagine that didn't set too well with Mr. Valdez. he refused both options, and reminded the supervisor that the American for Disabilities Act would have a real problem with the way he's been treated. He also reminded them that it was in violation of federal law, and it didn't seem to bother them.

Well Mr. Valdez told them that they haven't heard the end of this, and the supervisor said "whatever". They never did let him cash the check.

Days later, Mr. Valdez receives a phone call from the bank Regional Mgr. with an apology.

Valdez had a message for the bank, you need to review your policies and procedures, and have alternate plans in place should this happen to someone else!

You talk about a totally unacceptable policy! Good for you Mr. Valdez and my hat's off to you. It is appalling to me how our Handicap, our Seniors and our Veterans are treated sometimes.

I will say it again Corporate America "you need to wake up" review your old outdated policies and procedures and for crying out loud please re-train your employees and supervisors to show a little bit more compassion towards any disabled person.

You know we have come a long way in discrimination against the disabled, but we still have a long way to go. This story is a good example. And shame on you Bank of America for implementing such a poor policy!!