Templeton Town Hall - not really ADA compliant.
If you happen to be in a wheel chair, either permanent or temporary, and you go to Templeton Town hall, you find your self in front of a door that you have to roll up to, grab handle and wheel yourself backwards in order to open the door to enter. I believe one item to upgrade is to have bi fold doors with a push device to automatically open doors inward so the person can enter Town Hall safely. I believe those were the type of doors originally recommended when the work on Town Hall began so as to make it ADA compliant. So, "it has a ramp, doors and bathrooms, what else do you want?"
Perhaps, all that is wanted is simple and safe access to a public building, and I do not think that is available right now for everyone.
While it is costly, doing the door (s) over twice, to assist anyone who may require such things to enter a public building, may not only be needed in order for those residents to go to Town Hall, to attend meetings for instance, the door do over might be required to be compliant within the law. It is no different than handicap parking spaces, you know the parking area up front and close to a store's door that are often empty. They are required by law and if it is required by law and it will aid / enable a citizen/ resident / taxpayer to enter Town Hall, then that is it
I recall a comment (s) here on this blog concerning how we treat and take care of seniors, children, etc, speaks to the character of the Town and could be one of many reasons a person or family might choose Templeton as a place to live, I think the same case can be made for how a Town tries to look out for people who may need the extras to take part in the process of Town government.
Thankyou so much for posting that.
ReplyDeleteI realize that you want people to feel able to voice their opinions here I am grateful. However, I ask those who comment to try to use other language than curse words. It shows a lack of intellectual capacity to debate and discuss.
ReplyDeleteWhen I brought a friend to UMass Hospital, a few years ago, trying to get into a bathroom was difficult. She was in a wheelchair. Not every door was handicap accessible. Maybe it is why it is good to have a friend. Otherwise a buzzer system could be installed. Just an idea !
ReplyDeleteThankyou Bev.
ReplyDeletePart of this issue is 'where does it stop?' Do all of the doors, inside and out (offices, bathrooms, closets) at town hall need this type of automatic door? Do they need back up generators in place to work each door in case of emergency? Do the schools need to do the same? What about the library or the police or fire stations or the light and water department? Where does it stop?
ReplyDeleteStops at your door as your home is not a place of business or a public building. Put in all the round handles you like. Don’t want bathroom handles in your shower fall down I don’t care . But don’t complain if you do when you call the Ambulance it’s a little late or not what you need. Don’t complain that Medicare doesn’t pay enough either. Bootstraps.
ReplyDeleteNeed a meal cause you fell down at a place that didn’t comply as its mandated. Oh well call market basket go pick it up.
DeleteTo 'stops at your door'
DeleteMy question was not ment to suggest that all ADA regs get turned back. My question is- where does it stop? How far does it need to be taken? Can't you consider that at some point it becomes over the top expensive at the local level.
I am personally for the new automatic door at town hall, just not every door in any town or school building.
A thing we could use around here is a car service. When I used to work at PYC, Mr. Sparks was a sort of taxi service. The women that come from Baldwinville used him all of the time. If I was younger I would consider starting something like this.
DeleteGreat suggestion Bev. I remember that place well.
DeleteAnon 8:36 am so your argument is “ not every door in any town building or school “ I think you just answered your own question . It stops when that person with a disability can not open a door that someone thinks that person has no right to open. I think the Republican Party will be happy to answer your question as to what is needed they seem to have determined that.
DeleteSo then why are we going only after the front door of town hall? Should not we be asking for an override for every single door in the building? What about an elevator so that people that work in the building don't have to walk stairs? Does this mean that every building built before a DEA regulations need to come down? Do they need to be replaced? Does the new school have automatic doors everywhere? Where does it stop? And what are you willing to pay for?
DeleteADS regulations, not DEA regulations
DeleteOh my ! Yes how about a warrant article for each door knob ? Speaking of knobs . Why all the worry about door knobs ? Is there a knob crisis ?
DeleteTo MD, fat fingers over here did mean the American Disabilities Act regulations. One specially being that a ramp has a 12 to 1 ratio incline. I know far too well why some regulations are needed for the betterment of our humanity.
DeleteDo you suggest perhaps a 6:1 ratio for a ramp ? Maybe that would cut 1/2 cost ? Idk
Deletehttp://www.directdoorhardware.com/ezset_fc-ct_dummy.htm Found some sort knobs at good prices here if that helps
DeleteSorry meant door knobs .
DeleteNo worries on typos fat fingers. I’m all toes typing over here.
DeleteNo worries “ where does it stop “ the Tepubkicans have your back ! Last month
ReplyDelete“On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted 225 to 192 in favor of a bill that would significantly weaken the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act and let businesses off the hook for failing to provide accommodations for accessibility. Sad!
Should the janitor's door at the school have an automatic door?
DeleteJesus H . Really ? This is important to discuss ? If it’s a cost benifit or freedom from tyranny to put a handle on a door that may help someone who is idk - arthritic ?
Deletesmall govt - always looking out for who exactly ?
Looking out for the benefit of the taxpayer against regulations that go too far. I mentioned the janitors door as an extreme example of the ridiculousness of an over sweeping regulation. We should all look out for each other in the best way that we possibly can. This also includes having discussions about very particular items. Like it or not, decisions do have to be made and lines need to be drawn. My question still remains - Where does it stop?
DeleteClearly anon 9:23am line in the sand as they say is : door knobs
DeleteClearly you do not understand my question and wish to belittle people with questions.
DeleteI understand all too well your questions and the provocative nature of the “extreme examples “ in which they are given - the extremes on either end of the political spectrum are deleterious ( dictionary handy ) to moving along a discussion that will provide anything productive. But if that’s ones goal to obfuscate and clog up the legal system well, that’s a productive post.
DeleteNot meaning cause harm or damage over here, or to obfuscate ot clog the system. It just seems like there is no end.
DeleteThat is horrible. Thankyou for posting that I will make sure my friends see that vote.
ReplyDeleteEnough with the sarcastic remarks ! Yes, you should be able to get in the door to a public building. If anyone does think being disable is a joke, spend a week in a wheel chair. Bev.
DeleteThankyou Bev again
DeleteAnother article I found on transportation that I hope is helpful : http://www.telegram.com/news/20180320/wrta-supporters-rally-in-worcester-demanding-better-funding-of-transit-authorities
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