I have a senior citizen client in a motorized scooter that visits a therapy place here in The Valley once a week, for counseling. I recently learned that the place of business does not have a ramp to allow my client access to their waiting room. It’s only a six inch step, but enough to block the scooter. Instead, she has to enter the office next door and wait in the shared bathroom for up to twenty minutes before the therapist can see her!
The process is reversed when her session is over, at which point she has to wait in the bathroom again until I arrive. This is outrageous! I can tell she is humiliated but endures it because she has no perceived choice in the matter.
Well, I’ve been in the paratransit business for more than twenty years and trust me, I know she does. The counseling outfit is collecting Medicare money for these visits!
Actually, I have a history with these people. Several years ago I questioned the owner about a ramp for a wheelchair client of mine that was a resident of theirs at a different location in town. I was consistently blown off and always had difficulty getting him inside. It’s like they have an issue with ramps…
I’m going to get involved here. My main question is whether to pursue it on a local level, a state level or a federal one. Maybe a simple chat with the mayor could convince them to spend a few bucks and build a ramp. I realize they just rent the place but portable ramps are not that difficult to make.
The other options are to contact the agencies involved in ADA enforcement. This is a big step, and one I know this counseling outfit would very much rather avoid.
My gmail = tetonpost, (update: Ramp Installed).
Ask the counseling place if they can get you the number for the federal ADA regulation enforcement number and if they ask why tell them why. Should be some agency in town that could help. Do you have an Ecap office or maybe the senior citizen place would have some idea who could help. No ramp is just a piss poor excuse for a business that helps handicapped people.
I can tell it angers you too, Sally. It’s absolutely inexcusable for an outfit like this to not be compliant. It will get fixed.
It galls me that some people think they are above the law. Karma will get them one day and they will be in a chair…
There are laws in regard to the handicapped and access to businesses, at least here in California. I thought they were all over the U.S. it’s really a disgrace. Seems the ones that need are the ones forced to go without. If they are taking any Fed money (Medicare) they could be breaking a Fed law.
ADA laws are Federal, and all states are subject. As to breaking the law, I’ll find out today.
Update: I really would like to keep this small town local if I can. I dropped by to see the Mayor today but their offices were closed. I sent him a link to this post and I’ll see what happens.
My understanding is that Medicaid requires my office to be fully accessible (entrance, bathroom, doorways into therapy rooms, etc) in order to be able to bill for my services. Good for you for looking into this – it will likely help more than just this one lady!
It’s a black eye to the great Medicaid/Medicare providers here in the valley, of which, you are the best my friend :-)
Hey Jim do you have room in your bus to carry a ramp? I know you could build one and take it along for the ride to where ever. Put it down for your ride when you get there pick it up put it down when you pick her up and pick it up when you go home. You are always ready for a place that needs a ramp. Put risers on it for higher curves. Come on I’m sure your boss would buy what ever you need.
Hey Betty, welcome back, I heard you were sick for a bit. Yea I could carry a portable ramp around but I’d rather make these people step up!
Thank you Jim for letting me know. I’ve asked our P&Z department to check this out and get back to me. I agree with Jim that I’d like to resolve this locally first.
I’m not exactly clear on which business it is – or the exact location. Could someone email me directly, or call our offices at 354-2362 to confirm? This would be a huge help.
Let’s get this taken care of!
Update: The Mayor emailed me today and they now know the name of the business. Thanks for getting involved Hyrum! I didn’t want to mention the business name here because, hey, it’s going to get fixed.