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Violation of Civil Rights

pdecrease
  • By pdecrease
  • Posted September 11, 2009 at 7:47 am · 8 replies
  • In Living your life
  • Shared with the public
  • Edited September 11, 2009 at 7:48 am
0 Recommendations

I'm so angry! There is a ice arena here in DE that posted a message on their website - "no sled skaters allowed at any public skate." I want my disabled son who enjoys sled skating to file a complaint with Civil Rights but he is reluctant. He's been to the arena and asked them kindly to remove the notice, but they have not. Are there any agencies out there that if I notify them of it they would contact the arena and advise them to remove such a statement and allow sled skaters in their public skates?

8 replies

Learning1

I'm not sure what the agencies are there, but a good starting point might be to check with the local department that oversees the arena, and if you don't get anywhere there, with the politician or bureaucrat who oversees that department. Make sure they are aware of the concerns and needs, and you might be able to work out something, either an allowance to use on part of the rink for some of the sessions, or a separate time, available for the same cost, if there are several in the same position.

There may be a very legitimate reason for not allowing sled skaters at public skating, but they need to explain why. If there have been prior safety problems, or prior behavior incidents, abuses, etc. they may have legitimate exceptions to the civil rights provisions. But as mentioned, from what I've seen they need to be able to explain why the restriction. Even then, with the wording of most of the legislation dealing with rights of the disabled, they need to be very careful with what they restrict, and where appropriate, ensure there are alternative allowances made. For example, there are legitimate hygiene reasons for not allowing dogs in restaurants and certain public buildings, but exceptions need to be made for seeing-eye dogs.

If the reason does not appear to be a legitimate one, and appropriate flexibility etc, is not shown, it might be time to either file a complaint, or at least a question, with the person or agency in your area that oversees the rights of the disabled.

pdecrease

They have a cosmic skate, lights off. My son agreed that was "unsafe." There has been given no explanation as to why other public skate events he is banned. I don't know what State Agency to contact, that was my question. I'll probably try the Delaware Attorney General's office and see where they direct me.

Learning1

I was thinking more on the local level. If it is a municipal arena, there has to be a municipal department that oversees it. In most of the towns in our area of Canada, it is the Recreation Department. If it can't be worked out with the head of that deparment, then there is somebody who is over that department. For solving problems, it is usually best to stay at as low a level as possible. If you can gain an ally at that level, they can help you in other situations also.

If you get nowhere there, that is the time to find a higher, possibly state, department. Here they have a provincial toll free directory you can call to find out which department deals with what issues. They are normally very helpful.

horsestail

I would check with the your town recreation department that oversees the public skate rinks and if that does not work I would connect with the ADA (American Disability Act) or you local or state SCI group to get some advice. You can locate your state SCI group at www.spinalcord.org. I think this may be your ADA link for help http://www.adainfo.org/state/
I wish you the best.

pdecrease

Thank you, of course the Department of Parks and Rec! I will start there. Thanks, sometimes you just get brain freeze!

horsestail

I do hope you will update us as to what happens and where you find your help.
Good luck!

pdecrease

My son promises to go to the rink and plead with them to take off the message from their website one more time. He sled skates at a Pennsylvania rink and the University of Delaware's rink. Another private rink offered him a specific time slot (extermely early in a.m.) if he pays a membership. He has places to skate so he's not as bent out of shape about this as I am. I am still going to call the Dept. of Parks and Recreation and perhaps a State Representative and see what they can do. It is a private establishment, nontheless, they do have to offer another slot if they will not permit inclusion. I will let you know how it turns out, I hope to call the dept. today! Thanks.

psquare

You could file an OCR complaint through your local Office of Civil Rights. You can find the information online. You can also contact the ADA and they may be able to help you.

This may be resolved with a simple letter or phone call once they realize they are in violation of your son's civil rights.

Good luck.

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