Possible solutions to ADA issues

[Stacey Asby]

Margaret and Angel;
If you can assess the situation in a  public building as having a REASONABLE
violation of ADA or a situation that possibly ADA needs to consider as
reasonable to change to accommodate those with disabilities, I suggest
speaking with the person in charge of those changes at the facility.  If
this does not get any consideration or action, then contacting the local TV
station and /or newspapers with the suggestion for an excellent human
interest story, will usually get you some attention.

    There is almost always some zealous, young goal  and career minded
employee who's willing to pay attention to a story that otherwise may seem
less glitzy by their peers at the office.  No one wants bad publicity.  I
encountered a problem with insufficient H/C parking at a  community college
(in NC. by the way) and despite their meeting the ADA legal requirements, it
was obvious they weren't meeting the needs of their typical student
population.
    For example, they had only 3 H/C spaces closest to the most often
attended buildings, then a very large motorcycle parking section, a very
large faculty parking section, and finally the student parking with three
other handicap spaces way, way out on the outer edges of the large parking
area??  Being that I took these classes while recovering from my surgery and
while waiting to get my first leg finished, I was often on crutches carrying
the usual packback of 60 lbs. or so of texts, and making it to and from
classes was an effort enough without the parking jaunt.  There were at least
12 people including myself in the morning classes I attended, in chairs,
with walkers or other permanent disabilities.  An obvious problem.  I parked
on the very edge of the motorbike section when a space was not available,
and with my placard clearly displayed.  I had no problem until the very last
days of the quarter.
    I was pulled from class and asked to move my car on one occasion and I
went to speak with the Dean.  We had a lengthy conversation , and I
suggested they improve the situation with parking , as well as how I didn't
appreciate being pulled from class for this reason.  He accepted that
parking where I did when needed was fine.  The last few days of classes I
received a ticket which was cleared, and a second which I then took to the
student administration.  The head of security was called in while the dean
was busy in his office.

    When the head of security appeared I nicely tried to explain that this
new temporary leg of a few days took some getting used to and that the last
few days of classes might find me on crutches again.  I had spoken to the
dean and had his consent to park where I did.  The guy then proceeded to
display his obviously low IQ when he stated "It's not like you're in a
wheelchair or anything!?"  )Apparently he hails from wherever it is Dan
lives LOL!)  I of course reminded him that I WAS MISSING a leg however?
Duh!!??  His next response???>>>>>"If I parked in the motorbike section
where were they going to park, and what would they do??"  Trying not to
totally go postal on him and the rest of the office I suggested that gee,
maybe they could use a regular parking space, since they were obviously in
good enough condition to ride a bike? LOL!  Now without getting into the
rest of the stupidity that ensued in the conversation thereafter, and the
decibel level which increased, lets say the ticket was finally cleared, but
I felt there was still an obvious problem here that needed to be fixed.

    Returning to classes and getting applause from the few students who'd
overheard the incident as the whole office came to a stand still, I stopped
at the local paper on my drive home and called the TV station. once home
Then I proceeded to write this whole story on here, copying and sending it
to three amputee sites I was aware of at the time.  I requested that anyone
who also felt this was a problem, write, e-mail , call or fax the school
(who's numbers and address I listed) and to send me a copy.  THEN......I
called the local ADA office whose number I got from directory assistance and
discussed the matter.  They gave me the legally required numbers for spaces,
which I assumed were met anyhow, and were, and then they suggested going
back and discussing it with the school.  If nothing was changed they would
send a rep down to investigate.

    The article in the paper was done, and the TV interview scheduled, but
before either ever went public, the school was made aware because of these
people contacting them, and by the barrage of incoming complaints, and I was
contacted by the Dean.  We met and I explained the problems with possible
solutions.  I said I expected the parking spaces improved by increasing the
number and rearranging the locations in respect to others, I suggested
making the section of wider spaces with temporary H/C markers which could be
adjusted, even moved to accommodate the needs of future students, and could
otherwise be used by others when  not needed as a H/C spot.  I suggested
having a box asking if a need for handicap parking would be necessary when
submitting a parking permit request, OR having a bold note that any student
needing such a  space contact the security office,I expected an apology from
the head of security and some sort of assurance his attitude wouldn't be
present in the future at the school in regard to disabled.  He tried to
explain the spaces being changed were in the works but being held up by the
contractor and some problem, to which I replied I could have a dozen of the
local military personnel from the Marine base there that weekend to get the
job done if he liked.

    I made a  point of driving by the school every day to see if anything
was in fact being done, and called to find out from the school where
everything stood, EVERY single day that week.  By Saturday the Dean called
and said that the spaces were being installed as we spoke (which I had
already seen earlier that day), the school offered their apology, and the
head of security was being forced to attend a sensitivity training course
before he was allowed to return to work.  This class would also be mandatory
for all future security personnel before they were put on the job actively.
The suggestions for changing the forms about  parking he also liked and was
considering.

    All in a week's work I suppose :o)  Then I informed the dean I was
relocating and though appreciating the efforts and spaces that would be
there for me in future, I would no longer be attending the school, but was
certain the other students would hopefully benefit from the efforts and
changes. LOL!
    What does all this say?  don't EVER underestimate your own power as an
individual and these are just a very few ways to  make your meager presence
seem not so meager. :o)  For instance, Anita speak to someone in that vet's
office about how you've appreciated their wonderful service and how you'd
appreciate their support in enforcing the handicapped space issue.  If they
directly tell you they wouldn't;t, I'd suggest trying another vet service
and explain to them how you'll be having a poster contest at your home that
weekend.  the posters will be all your family and friends with pets to put
in their car windows, and will say something to the effect of "Don't use the
services of (Insert facility name here), because they don't have empathy for
those who are disabled, and I'd question the ability to have an level of
compassion for my pets.  OR This facility doesn't appreciate the patronage
of anyone in need of a handicap space, so tell all your
friends...blah...blah...  (Oh and make sure you include the facility's
address and phone number on the signs)

    This approach has been used in several instances and been quite
effective for people having a customer service problem with a place of
business.  you may not always get what you need, but you'll at least make
their lives miserable for a while in the process. :o)

StacEy
(Who's showing you why the "E" is in her name)


..  Do you IGNORE violations, report them or tolerate them?
> >Angel

> >
> One of the main medical buildings in the city has "handicapped accessible"
> restrooms only on the first two floors. I went down to the first floor,
> inside the restroom, and there's an el-shaped cubicle for "handicapped."
No
> way could I figure out how to get the wheelchair in, turned and
approaching
> the stool so I could transfer. If the wheelchair were in frontwards, the
> door wouldn't close behind me. Then turn it. Hah! I don't know to whom to
> report it, but I'll be going over the links sent out this morning by
Laurie
> to see what the possibilities are. Margaret Lauterbach