Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!157!3!Alan.Forro
From: Alan.Forro@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Alan Forro)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Business denies access
Message-ID: <14885@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 10 Oct 90 03:02:32 GMT
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Index Number: 11032

I have a situation that I'm not quite sure how to deal with, and I 
wonder if anyone out there has any information/ideas. 
I have belonged to United Consumers Club for 5+years. It is a club that 
allows members to buy merchandise direct from the mfg at great savings. 
It cost $600.00+ to join initially, and $45.00/yr thereafter. 
When I joined, I was not in a wheelchair, although their office WAS 
completely accessible.  Recently, they moved to a new location which IS 
NOT ACCESSIBLE.  Of course, now I am in a wheelchair.  All they would 
need to do would be to place a ramp at their front door and all would be 
fine.  They refuse.  They claim that if they attempt any changes for 
accessibility, they would be forced to go all the way (bathrooms, etc.), 
and they are unwilling to spend the money.  They will not even provide a 
temporary (portable) ramp for my use.  They said I should provide my 
own ramp (which I can't afford).  In fact, they told my wife that if I 
had been in a wheelchair when I joined the club, they wouldn't have even 
allowed me to join!!! (This form the club owner, no less!) Needless to 
say, my wife was outraged, and so was I. Can I do anything? Does the 
fact that I paid to belong give me any rights at all?  What about the 
new law recently passed?  I know it isn't enforcable immediately, but 
what about when it is?  I'm sure they have at least 10 or 15 employees. 
And apparently, I'm the only disabled member (hard to believe). 
That's it.  Any information/opinions/ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
 Alan Forro

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