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
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!157!3!Alan.Forro
Internet: Alan.Forro@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.orgAnn.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.
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Internet: Ann.Parsons@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.orgJohn.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
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Internet: John.Lynch@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.orgBill.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!!!
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Internet: Bill.Higgins@p17.f122.n249.z1.fidonet.org