ADA Pool Lift implementation debate - AAPD meets American Hotel & Lodging Association | June 2012

The following was shared from Mark Perriello, Exec. Director
American Association of People with Disabilities...

Mark's Weekly Message: Here we go. Again.

June 8, 2012 | Mark Perriello

Why am I writing another post about pool lifts?

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and individual hotel owners aren’t done chipping away at our rights. In fact, they aren’t even playing fair. Literally 15 minutes before negotiators at AAPD sat down with AH&LA, they sent an email to the Hill saying they wanted their member hotels to be free of the heavy burden and “attractive nuisance” that they say our equality represents.

Why?

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and individual hotel owners aren’t done chipping away at our rights. In fact, they aren’t even playing fair. Literally 15 minutes before negotiators at AAPD sat down with AH&LA, they sent an email to the Hill saying they wanted their member hotels to be free of the heavy burden and “attractive nuisance” that they say our equality represents.

Again, why?

Because, like many businesses in America, these hotel groups claim to support access and equality for Americans with Disabilities while actively fighting against it. If they really wanted to provide us equal amenities for the equal money we pay to stay in their hotels, they would call off their attack dogs in Congress.

These groups sat down in AAPD’s office and told us that we were overestimating their power to influence Congress. Well if that’s the case, if I were a member hotel, I’d wonder what they were doing for me.

After all, an AH&LA VP wrote to congressional staff just 15 minutes before our meeting and told them that the group planned to keep fighting for the bill. If they have so little power, one wonders why they’d pay lobbyists for the effort.

So, Why am I forced to write this?

Because this is what hotel owners have to say about our rights:

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.

And this:

Adding a lift will create more of an attractive nuisance, a danger to the majority using the facilty and at an expense that is ludicrous. I would rather put the investment into equipment that could enhance the facility for all participants.

And this:

First of all, if a handicap person needs said lift to enter the pool, what are they going to be able to do once they are in there? Nothing.

And this:

My take is most of them feel it is too complex of a task and too exhausting to get prepared to go swimming then hoist themselves into the pool and then try to swim and lets not forget this is a public pool so their might be many other guests in the pool already who feel they have just as much right to swim as the disabled person does and wont give any space or consideration to swim. Then the disabled person has to maneuver themselves into the lift again and remove themselves from the pool and into a wheelchair, then work on cleaning themselves for dinner or sleep. Maybe this is a dream come try for the disabled community but I would ask the DOJ to do a little more research before mandating this lift to all pools in the US Thank you for listening,

And this:

Physically challanged understand that there are some things they are not able to do, and can actually cause more harm than good. If you had a disabled child would you let them get in the pool and drown, We have been in business over 10yrs and not one physically challanged person has asked to get in the pool. This is incorrectly thought out decision that DOJ made and has to be reveresed. Please do some fact findings before we have this implemented.

And this:

I understand that handicapped people shouldn't be denied the pleasure of swimming, but, if that person is so handicapped that they need a lift to get in the pool, how can they possibly swim? Who is liable for their safety after they are in the water? A pool is something that just isn't safe for everyone.

And this:

When is the last time anyone, and I mean anyone, has seen a person in a wheelchair even with a bathing suit on. Never mind actually swimming, in other than a physical therapy session?

Had enough? I have.
Stay tuned.

###

For AAPD visit: http://www.aapd.com/