Wesley Edwards: Johansen High needs to comply with disabilities laws
Went to see my granddaughter in a play at Johansen High School. I was appalled at the complete lack of compliance to ADA regulations. I use a standard size wheelchair, not overly wide in any way, and was only able to reach my seat after multiple attempts to squeeze through rows of seats. This damaged my wheelchair and I was completely humiliated.
It’s a nice thought to put the wheelchair seating in toward the center of the row instead of on the end of the row. But it’s a ridiculous if you don’t provide enough room between the seats for the wheelchair to pass. This handicapped seating is illegal and the fact Modesto City Schools has left this design in place for over 20 years shows a complete lack of commitment to people with disabilities and a flagrant disregard of Americans with Disabilities Act laws.
I’ve been in a wheelchair for over 39 years and this is the first complaint I’ve ever made. If a store or restaurant isn’t accessible, I don’t go there, and I’m fine with that. But this is a public school and I feel sorry for any disabled students or disabled family members in attendance.
Wesley Edwards, Modesto
This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 2:39 PM with the headline "Wesley Edwards: Johansen High needs to comply with disabilities laws."