Alan.Forro@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Alan Forro) (10/10/90)
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 -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!157!3!Alan.Forro Internet: Alan.Forro@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org
Ann.Parsons@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Parsons) (10/13/90)
Index Number: 11107 Hi, Call your senator and find out just exactly what rights you have. If you can not do anything, demand your money back and then publish an article in the paper saying that you believe that this organization is not one that should be patronized by persons with disabilities. Ann P. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!204!Ann.Parsons Internet: Ann.Parsons@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org
John.Lynch@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (John Lynch) (10/17/90)
Index Number: 11128 [This is from the Spinal Injury Conference] Alan, the new law does require th em to provide the service somewhere if their offices are not accessible, but I am not sure of the exact date of the effectiveness of this part. Call your state 's consumer potection agency, or see if you can get a lawyer to take the case on contingency. Maby eve3n bettter, call the a TV station in your area to find out if they have a consumer protection person, in Baltimore at least 2 stations have them. These guys are great, free, and usually get results becouse no business wants to air their dirty laundry in a lad light all over TV. It is great, try it if you can. Regards, John -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!John.Lynch Internet: John.Lynch@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org
Bill.Higgins@p17.f122.n249.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Higgins) (10/17/90)
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!!! -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!249!122.17!Bill.Higgins Internet: Bill.Higgins@p17.f122.n249.z1.fidonet.org