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From: Bill.Higgins@p17.f122.n249.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Higgins)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Business denies access
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Date: 17 Oct 90 04:33:00 GMT
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Index Number: 11141

Hi Alan,

 Allow me to quote the letter you mailed on 08-Oct-90

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

    1)   Haul them up before the local Chamber of Commerce and grill them to
         toast.

    2)   Failing that, complain to a person over that managers head (you may
         want to do this first though.).

    3)   Failing the above, haul them up before a local human rights officer
         and grill them to toast, a la press charges.

    Well I hope this helps out, let me know how it goes.

    TTFN!!!

--
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