[tri-med] Re: handicap accessibility

There may be another entrance that is more accessible.  Sometimes they =
just
don't tell people unless they ask, because they don't want everybody =
using
it (think teenaged hooligans :).  From what I understand, they don't =
have to
alter older buildings unless they are extremely out-of-date, as long as =
they
are somewhat accessible.  Also, if you talk to they staff, they may be =
able
to send someone to help you when you come in.  I would talk to a =
supervisor
and let them know you need assistance.  From our experience at the Y =
here,
they are pretty accommodating to disabled people, and they even have
disabled adults working there, so they are pretty understanding.  They =
also
may see your stroller and don't realize that you are dealing with =
disabled
kids, not just toddlers, and they cannot help you like some little kids =
can
(opening doors, etc.).

Hope you can solve it--wow, NINE doors!

Jennifer Vanderbeek, mom to Elanor, 5 (T18); Arwen, 7; caregiver to Joe, =
26
(cerebral palsy); Eric, 20 (cerebral palsy); and wife to Andrew.


-----Original Message-----
From: tri-med-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tri-med-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] =
On
Behalf Of Irene Smith
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 8:14 AM
To: Tri-Med
Subject: [tri-med] handicap accessibility

Hi all!
I was wondering what you all know about what the requirements are for a
public building regarding accessibility for handicapped individuals.

We recently joined the local YMCA.  Christina has been taking swim =
lessons.
Unfortunately, there are no times for me to take her when Eric is home =
so I
am bringing all 3 kids to the lessons.  Since 2 of them don't walk, I am
using a double stroller.   I get SO incredibly frustrated trying to get =
into
the Y building and then and navigate through its maze to the pool.

There is a ramp into the Y, and there are no stairs, but there are NINE =
sets
of doors to go through to get to the pool.  Luckily, a couple are =
usually
opened, but most are not.  None of the doors are automatic and, I can't
imagine, if someone was in a wheelchair, how they would get into and =
through
the Y.  I have the worst time trying to get in and out of the Y and I =
feel
like there should be an easier way.  I haven't asked them yet.  Are they
obligated to help disabled individuals?  It seems like they definitely
should be, but I am not familiar with the laws.  They have handicapped
parking spots, they have a spa pool with a ramp.  They even supply
wheelchairs that can pushed into the water, but I don't know how anyone =
in a
wheelchair could even get to that pool in the first place!

Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on how I could make this easier
without causing too much trouble?

Thanks!
--
Irene
Christina (4), Caroline (2 with partial trisomy 17p) and Kallie (born
6/23/05)
Caroline's site:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carolinesmith

                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line



                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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