UC Irvine - Handiapped mobility policies

[Jim]

I have a friend that attends UC Irvine as a undergraduate. He has an incomplete spinal cord injury and can walk very short distances with a arm crutch. He asked the Office of Disability Services if he could use a Segway because it would make his quality of life much better, and was told no.

He doesn't want to use the Segway for fun, it would really improve his life. Seems like a necessary accommodation.

Any advice on how he can fight this?

[My395]

Have him check out Draft. http://www.draft.org/DisabilityRights.aspx

On March 15, 2011 the United States Department of Justice's revised ADA regulations went to effect. Among many other things these new regulations require title II & title III entities to allow the use of Segways in a responsible manner by people with disabilities absent the ability of an entity to prove that they cannot establish legitimate safety standards which would permit the safe operation of the Segway within their entity.
Based upon the experience of the last eight years and the lack of any credible, substantiated evidence having ever been presented by an entity which would call into question the ability of a Segway to be operated safely when used in a responsible manner in virtually every known type entity one would have presumed that after March 15, 2011 the use of the Segway by any person with a "substantial limitation" in their ability to walk would have been permitted.

If you are a person witth a disability who uses a Segway for mobility and have been denied access after March 15, 2011 we encourage you file a complaint with the United States Department of Justice. Below are two links which will allow you to download a PDF complaint form. One version will allow you to fill out the form on line and then print the form, the other version is for those who would like to print the form and then fill it out by hand or using a typewriter. Please file the original signed form with the USDOJ or if you may mail the original signed form to DRAFT, 500 Fox Ridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63131 and will deliver it to the USDOJ and track the complaint until it has been resolved.

[Jim]

Nice, thanks My!

[SCI-Nurse]

I would recommend that he talk to the local ILC, and also appeal the decision (does the office of Disability Services have the power to ban Segways from campus, or is this under some other office). Should be able to appeal all the way up to the Chancelor's office I would think. Going to the campus newspaper and even the local community paper might also be an option.

I believe this is the appropriate ILC: http://www.daylemc.org/

(KLD)

[dan_nc]

They don't allow mobility aids on UCI campus? Seems really strange.

[My395]

Originally Posted by Jim

Any advice on how he can fight this?

Of course, I always find friendly dicussions tend to work best.... but sometimes it does take a fight.

I used a Segway for years as my mobility device. I worked for a local municipality and commuted to work on it. Used it in office buildings, on elevators etc. Rode it right up to my cube at work. My workplace had no problem with it.

Some more persuasive material he might use...

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/16983

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

GSA BULLETIN FMR 2008-B3

Use of Segways® and Similar Devices by Individuals with a Mobility Impairment in GSA-Controlled Federal Facilities

Agency: General Services Administration

Action: Notice of Interim Policy

Summary: The General Services Administration (GSA) recognizes that some persons with mobility impairments are utilizing the Segway® Personal Transporter (Segway) and similar devices as their preferred means of locomotion. GSA is committed to making all reasonable efforts to make its facilities accessible to persons with disabilities. To that end, on December 3, 2007, GSA's Public Buildings Service issued the following interim policy to permit individuals with a mobility impairment to use these devices in Federal buildings under GSA’s jurisdiction, custody or control, including those buildings delegated to other Federal agencies by the Administrator of General Services. This interim policy does not cover privately-owned leased buildings. GSA will issue a final policy once the effectiveness of the interim policy has been thoroughly reviewed and assessed.

For Further Information Contact: Stanley C. Langfeld, Director, Regulations Management Division (MPR), General Services Administration, Washington, DC 20405; stanley.langfeld@gsa.gov, (202) 501-1737. Please cite FMR Bulletin 2008-B3.


Dated: December 17, 2007.

Kevin Messner
Acting Associate Administrator
Office of Governmentwide Policy

[Jim]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I will pass it along.

He has had many nice conversations, just not working unfortunately.

I'll keep you all informed, thanks.

Jim

[Sue Pendleton]

OK, curious here. What types of mobility impaired folks use Segways?

I wonder if Seqways used by cruise ships on their shore excursions will now be a disabled only thing.

[My395]

Originally Posted by Sue Pendleton

OK, curious here. What types of mobility impaired folks use Segways?

Incomplete SCI. MS, heart condition etc. Basically people that can stand but not walk well or far.

[Sue Pendleton]

Originally Posted by My395

Incomplete SCI. MS, heart condition etc. Basically people that can stand but not walk well or far.

Thanks, My. I've wondered if the things came with a butt strap and knee blocks if I could use one since I have strong quads but my middle section seems to be the least strong.