But having to ask someone to operate the lift for you is stigmatizing. It has to be operable by the physically challenged person themselves - more lawsuits. Kids will use it, someone will get hurt - more lawsuits. The device just sitting there with no one using it will need periodic testing and certification - like an elevator - more cost, regulations, and staff. The nanny state is expensive.
Nixon gave us the EPA and Title IX.
But, surely, Mitt Romney will be different and another Ronald Reagan...Just look at his record as governor!
Anybody else out there getting pretty darn sick of entitled disabled people?
How about we require that each such pool needs an at-the-ready “Companion Dolphin” to swim around in the pool with said disabled person?
I myself cannot keep food down whenever I happen to see or hear Obama. Finding a lawyer and a doctor to get this declared a disability should be a piece of cake. I demand an electronic device that superimposes Stalin’s face and Bugs Bunny’s voice whenever the O appears. Certainly would make my life better.
I have no problem with reasonable efforts to accommodate the handcapped when it comes to things such as access to public buildings, access to facilities within the building, etc. I’ve also known disbaled people who are able to operate a car with the use of specially installed controls. As long as they can demonstarte that they can operate the vehicle safely, again, no problem. This, however, makes no sense to me. If a person’s physical abilities are limited to the point where they cannot get in and out of a pool without this type of device, they should not be using the pool. All this does is put them at great risk.
You should read the comments at the main npr site. The liberals’ feathers are highly ruffled that the writer put such a realistic face on the law and its effects. Stupid law. The DOJ lawyer sounds like a fool, too.
When does accidently splashing one of them become a hate crime and open one to a huge lawsuit becuase a 5-year old didn’t observe the nosplashing within 100 feet of a disabled person rule when diving into a pool?
My “public pool” is evaluating their options. First option is about $8000 to comply with the law. Second option is to become a “private pool”. We have checked with lawyers, and it looks like we can legally deny access to people who used to use the pool and then not have to install the chair lift. “Equal access” doesn’t always result in greater access.
Each chair lift costs as much as $8,000.
Ok who gave Obama money and votes?.
Every business with a pool should shut it down and hang a sign on it saying "Closed by order of the US Department of Justice."
Respond to every tyrannical edict in like manner, and eventually the tyrants will be overthrown.
Yes, well, let’s elect Mitt Romney and hopefully THAT ill advised federal intrusion will be nullified, too.
I really really really HATE Washington D.C. bureaucrats forcing their rules upon us...it is totally anathema to why we became the United States.
Not an easy one to be sure. For those who balk at the motel providing handicap accessible pool, what about handicap acceptable room?
And, for pools that are owned and operated using tax money, the handicapped are usually tax-payers, just as non-handicapped swimmers.
As to the safety issue, one who has mobility issues on dry-land often find those issues removed in the water.
And, our private membership pol installed a chair lift more than 10 years ago. So it is not out of realm to plan and install one.
And, it is a free-market consideration. If those who do not wish to bring up the pools to code can close them and compete with the motels who chose to keep them open at a higher cost. There are times that i travel and do not have time for a pool, so that is not a factor in where I stay. Other times I do want to. Ate use of a pool, and will choose accordingly.
M/M Lifeguard.... could you carry me up to the high dive, I need to practice my swan dive....
Ummmm, how about install a ramp after the pool is closed for the season. No moving parts - can’t break down.
in my obervations, I have noticed that most new pools have a zero entry end - which eliminates the need for a chair.