Can they do this? Is it legal?

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

I run a group in GA for parents of special needs children. Over the last few months I have fielded complaints from some of our parents and even had some myself regarding our local indoor swimming pool. They tried ousting the privately contracted swim instructors there, for their "own" program that has yet to be put in place and when we banded together to fight them removing our swim instructors, we won that battle, only to have the instructors dealing with daily harrasment from the management. I got an email tonight from one of my parents who has 2 children with autism and 2 typical children, she was told that someone complained about the disturbance her children were making (according to the mother her children were not making any scenes or disturbances) and that she and her children are no longer allowed back to the pool during the time they had class as the children were supposedly "interfering" with a senior aquatics class. Her lessons were cancelled and would have to be "recheduled" when there was not other classes going on (I should also mention that the management told the mother that the children would have to have lessons in the lap pool which is 7 feet - and the instructor gives the lesson to 2 children at a time, there is no bottom - a HUGE safty issue in my book). The instructors, tired of trying to keep up with ever changing rules and regulations- clearly a tactic used to wear them out and it was successful, have decided to go elsewhere, leaving our special needs family unable to use a tax payer funded indoor swimming pool (the only one in our county). I don't know how to proceed next or what to tell this poor mother who is just beside herself, she homeschools and these lessons were very important to her children and to our special needs community.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[SueM in MN]

Do an Internet search for the Disability Law Center for your state

I have used them in Minnesota and they were very helpful

It is a free service. Also go to the US Department of Justice, the ADA enforcement section. They should be able to help you with this discrimination.

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

Thanks Sue, it was very interesting reading. I passed it along to the Mom. I am hoping she will file a complaint.

 

[mechurchlady]

Also once you get your reading done then you can do a public campaign. I feel it is legally wrong but am not a lawyer. I would plaster the state with media coverage about the way the kids are treated and the safety issues.

I am just the SID super sensitive person who hugs people and cheers them up. Big hugs and chocolates for you and good luck on your fight.

Hugs
Laurie

 

[BeckyScott]

I agree with churchlady. Nothing like a little bad press going into autism awareness month.

I don't know about the legal part of it, seems that it if is taxpayer funded, there should be something you could do.