In a message dated 4/4/2012 1:25:26 P.M. Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
Twenty-one years after the ADA passed it's still difficult to find a fully-accessible pool. Rules requiring public pools to be accessible were supposed to go into effect on March 15th, but are on hold because some businesses objected. Right now our community is being significantly outpaced by our opponents in submitting comments. Not only are we losing the numbers game - our dignity is under attack. Just take a look at this comment that was sent in: ...If someone is unable to safely get in and out of a pool without aid I do not wnat them in my pool. Furthermore, if someone who needed a lift to get in and out of a pool had some type of paralysis, there is a very real possibility they may have lack of bowel control. Then I am dealing with a real health issue. Due I then have the right to charge that person the cost of cleaning the pool as well as loss of revenue from my pool being close? It should be an individual business's choice to cater to a special needs group. - Gereld Powell We have a responsibility to counter these types of vulgar and uninformed assaults on our community. Please make your position know today. We need to enforce our rights! Today is the last day to send comments to the Department of Justice about the accessible pool regulations. Submit your comments at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=DOJ-CRT-2012-0006-0001 Here's what the DOJ needs to know: - Swimming pools are not a luxury; they are part of American life. Every family deserves the chance to enjoy vacations together without leaving a child, spouse, or parent behind just because they have a disability. - People with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else to use swimming pools. - Backtracking on the ADA is never acceptable. - We cannot roll back civil rights for any group. - The ADA was signed into law over 21 years ago. Swimming pool owners have had decades to come into compliance. - The final regulation language and the accessibility standards have been out since September 2010, so the pool owners have had 18 months to comply with those specific standards. - The regulations are subject to an "undue burden" defense, so any hotel or pool owner that cannot afford to come into compliance need not do so immediately. Submit a comment TODAY and tell your friends to do so too! http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=DOJ-CRT-2012-0006-0001 NATIONAL ADAPT MAILING LIST - Adapt Community Choice Act List http://www.adapt.org
