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Posted by Howard Hubbard on January 2, 2008, 8:40 am
166.214.22.162
This from the Keynoter on 01/02/0
as a Letter to the Editor:
Quote...
It seems like a very vocal group has once again reared its head acting as if it represents the interests of many. It is important to recognize that the views expressed by anyone represent only the author's views. I represent myself and do not pretend to represent others. I also adamantly refuse to let others label me as disabled against my will. I've spent too much of my life avoiding self-pity and instead sought to be as productive a member of our society as I'm able.
Mary Lowry, in her letter of Dec. 26, gives a diluted view of the difficulty in addressing and interpreting the Americans with Disabilities Act. By its very language, it can cover almost everyone.
In Appendix A, Standards of Accessible Design, we finally see the nuts and bolts - “inches and feet of space for wheelchairs,” “heights of objects,” when Braille is appropriate, and “the number of designated seats and parking spaces for cars.”
Concerning the City of Marathon Marina, nowhere in this whole shooting match does there appear to be a mandate for a handicapped-person dingy set-aside. In fact, the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities for recreational boating addresses ramps, pier width, toe-rail height and similar issues, but not dinghy dockage.
I appreciate the city's effort to go above and beyond by designating an area for handicapped-person dingy dockage. It is far safer for me to go over the side of my dingy than across the bow.
Is the issue here that we need to establish our right under the ADA to a private individual? Is the issue a designated parking spot for each and every handicapped person with a dingy or perhaps just one? Perhaps all those countless towns that have wrestled with this problem and conquered it would be willing to share their insight.
Howard Hubbard
Marathon
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