Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

[Guest guest]

, I don't know where you live, but I'm in Downers Grove and when I asked

the park district if I could allow someone to accompany my daughter to their

health/recreation center, they said that was OK. We haven't joined yet.

If your park district has a health facility, they may allow this, especially, if

they are part of a special recreation association.

>

> I am trying to find a " flexible " health facility that might allow our PSW to

come in with my 17 year old who NEEDS EXERCISE, and needs a little support,

too!!

>

> It seems that each one will allow him in (because he is over 14), but only a

" legal guardian " can accompany him, or a member. I am trying to avoid paying for

the PSW's membership, since we seem to change them all the time. Our pool was

great last summer - they had a punch card system that could be used by any adult

that accompanied the child.

>

> Has anyone found a facility that is flexible enough to understand ... ??

>

> Thanks in advance!

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

At the YMCA in ton, I can put the name of an 'exercise buddy' on a list in

the membership office and that person can accompany my son. I'd hope they are

only following YMCA organizational policy.  Also the Y has a discounted

membership rate for someone with a disability.

I only needed to explain that he needs someone to keep him on track.  Maybe a

letter of explanation of the need for a PSW with some documentation of the

disability would convince someone at a health club. 

Also, you might want to take a look at www.jjslist.com -- a site " where people

with disabilities review businesses and services. "   You could let the

management of the ex. facility know that you'd be happy to write a positive

review  on jj's list -- free positive advertising - or would be sorry to have

to post a negative one.

Good luck.

Bonnie Dohogne

From: crzymomf3@... <crzymomf3@...>

Subject: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

" Illinois Parents of Adult " <IPADDUnite >

Date: Monday, November 29, 2010, 11:29 AM

 

I am trying to find a " flexible " health facility that might allow our PSW

to come in with my 17 year old who NEEDS EXERCISE, and needs a little support,

too!!

It seems that each one will allow him in (because he is over 14), but only a

" legal guardian " can accompany him, or a member. I am trying to avoid paying for

the PSW's membership, since we seem to change them all the time. Our pool was

great last summer - they had a punch card system that could be used by any adult

that accompanied the child.

Has anyone found a facility that is flexible enough to understand ... ??

Thanks in advance!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I believe this is a matter of the ADA and making a reasonable accommodation for

your son. Lots of us have had private health clubs or YMCA's agree that our

teen/young adult with the paid membership requires a personal assistant or PSW

in order to access and enjoy the facility. Perhaps the management at your club

just hasn't been asked before. To get more detailed information, for yourself

and for the health club management, I'd recommend you contact the Great Lakes

ADA Technical Assistance Center -- they're good at answering these kinds of

questions! The guy I know down there is Berg, but anyone could help you.

Their number is 800-949-4232.

Laurie

From: Bonnie Dohogne

Sent: Monday, November 29, 2010 3:51 PM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

At the YMCA in ton, I can put the name of an 'exercise buddy' on a list in

the membership office and that person can accompany my son. I'd hope they are

only following YMCA organizational policy. Also the Y has a discounted

membership rate for someone with a disability.

I only needed to explain that he needs someone to keep him on track. Maybe a

letter of explanation of the need for a PSW with some documentation of the

disability would convince someone at a health club.

Also, you might want to take a look at www.jjslist.com -- a site " where people

with disabilities review businesses and services. " You could let the management

of the ex. facility know that you'd be happy to write a positive review on jj's

list -- free positive advertising - or would be sorry to have to post a negative

one.

Good luck.

Bonnie Dohogne

From: crzymomf3@... <crzymomf3@...>

Subject: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

" Illinois Parents of Adult " <IPADDUnite >

Date: Monday, November 29, 2010, 11:29 AM

I am trying to find a " flexible " health facility that might allow our PSW to

come in with my 17 year old who NEEDS EXERCISE, and needs a little support,

too!!

It seems that each one will allow him in (because he is over 14), but only a

" legal guardian " can accompany him, or a member. I am trying to avoid paying for

the PSW's membership, since we seem to change them all the time. Our pool was

great last summer - they had a punch card system that could be used by any adult

that accompanied the child.

Has anyone found a facility that is flexible enough to understand ... ??

Thanks in advance!

[Guest guest]

,

Our son goes to the downtown Naperville YMCA. There is a line on his

profile that lets the clerk know Adam will come in with a PSW, no questions

asked. Since he has to show his membership card when he comes in the

profile pops up. After a certain amount of time most of the clerks know

him.

I have investigated the Hospital Health club for myself, told them I

am blind and they offered me the information..if I needed an assistant,

there are plenty of people that use and assistants.

This is all in Naperville, but like Lori says, have a conversation with the

director.

Also regarding the reduced fees, our son's membership to the YMCA was

managed through his school transition. He enjoys a reduced annual fee.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

My son attends both a private health club (Delnor Wellness Center--works because

my husband and I are long-time members already; just added my son and explained

the situation) and our city's (Geneva) park district facilities, including the

swimming pool and indoor walking track, with an aide. (The park districts are

government-supported and subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act. An aide

is covered.) You should call the owner/operator and set it up ahead of your

son's arrival since the people that man the door are not the decision-makers.

Our special recreation program helped years ago when I had some resistance from

the park district, but the law was new then.

Funway, the private roller skating rink and bowling alley in Batavia (we bought

a punch pass and they wrote on it that my son could be admitted with an aide),

Vaughan Athletic Center in Aurora, children's museums, Morton Arboreteum (he has

a sticker on his member card), all have allowed my son's aide to accompany him

at no charge.

Goldstein

>

> I am trying to find a " flexible " health facility that might allow our PSW to

come in with my 17 year old who NEEDS EXERCISE, and needs a little support,

too!!

>

> It seems that each one will allow him in (because he is over 14), but only a

" legal guardian " can accompany him, or a member. I am trying to avoid paying for

the PSW's membership, since we seem to change them all the time. Our pool was

great last summer - they had a punch card system that could be used by any adult

that accompanied the child.

>

> Has anyone found a facility that is flexible enough to understand ... ??

>

> Thanks in advance!

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We have had a wonderful relationship with the health club at the Park Center in

the Glen, in Glenview. It is probably not close enough to most of our IPADDU

members but not only is it a great facility with a free indoor walking track,

there is a great pool and the health club and lots of classes. Noah has a

single resident membership. Though we reside in Northbrook, they were willing

to give him the membership at the resident rate. In addition, his PSW

accompanies him and does a pretty rigorous weight training routine with him. We

have never been questioned or limited in any way. Their policy states that

someone with a disability can be accompanied by a companion for assistance.

Maybe your local health club manager would be willing to talk to someone at the

Park Center. If so, I would recommend talking to Manager,Kathleen McInnis,

847-486-5390 or Asst. Manager Naomi Kulka, 847-486-5395.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

[Guest guest]

I'm wondering. .....Do all of these different facilities allow a PSW to

accompany the person w/a disability with no charge for the PSW ? I was just

going to approach my own (private) health club with the same question.

                  Thanks,

                   Maureen

From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...>

Subject: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

IPADDUnite

Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 8:59 AM

 

We have had a wonderful relationship with the health club at the Park

Center in the Glen, in Glenview. It is probably not close enough to most of our

IPADDU members but not only is it a great facility with a free indoor walking

track, there is a great pool and the health club and lots of classes. Noah has

a single resident membership. Though we reside in Northbrook, they were

willing to give him the membership at the resident rate. In addition, his PSW

accompanies him and does a pretty rigorous weight training routine with him. We

have never been questioned or limited in any way. Their policy states that

someone with a disability can be accompanied by a companion for assistance.

Maybe your local health club manager would be willing to talk to someone at the

Park Center. If so, I would recommend talking to Manager,Kathleen McInnis,

847-486-5390 or Asst. Manager Naomi Kulka, 847-486-5395.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

[Guest guest]

Yes, for the ton Y, there's no charge for a PSW - or 'exercise buddy.'

Bonnie Dohogne

From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...>

Subject: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

IPADDUnite

Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 8:59 AM

 

We have had a wonderful relationship with the health club at the Park Center in

the Glen, in Glenview. It is probably not close enough to most of our IPADDU

members but not only is it a great facility with a free indoor walking track,

there is a great pool and the health club and lots of classes. Noah has a

single resident membership. Though we reside in Northbrook, they were willing

to give him the membership at the resident rate. In addition, his PSW

accompanies him and does a pretty rigorous weight training routine with him. We

have never been questioned or limited in any way. Their policy states that

someone with a disability can be accompanied by a companion for assistance.

Maybe your local health club manager would be willing to talk to someone at the

Park Center. If so, I would recommend talking to Manager,Kathleen McInnis,

847-486-5390 or Asst. Manager Naomi Kulka, 847-486-5395.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

[Guest guest]

In both cases, the UY for my son and Fitness Center, both in

Naperville there is now charge. I can only imagine this is areasonable

accomodation and covered by the ADA. When I take my service dog on a plane

I don't have to payy extra for the dogand he is right in the passenger space

with me.

Good luck with this.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

My son belongs to our YMCA through his transition program (and he's attended

their summer camps for the past 7 summers) and I can go and workout along with

him whenever I want to.

H.

Re: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

I'm wondering. .....Do all of these different facilities allow a PSW to

ccompany the person w/a disability with no charge for the PSW ? I was just

oing to approach my own (private) health club with the same question.

Thanks,

Maureen

From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...>

ubject: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

o: IPADDUnite

ate: Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 8:59 AM

We have had a wonderful relationship with the health club at the Park

enter in the Glen, in Glenview. It is probably not close enough to most of our

PADDU members but not only is it a great facility with a free indoor walking

rack, there is a great pool and the health club and lots of classes. Noah has

single resident membership. Though we reside in Northbrook, they were

illing to give him the membership at the resident rate. In addition, his PSW

ccompanies him and does a pretty rigorous weight training routine with him. We

ave never been questioned or limited in any way. Their policy states that

omeone with a disability can be accompanied by a companion for assistance.

Maybe your local health club manager would be willing to talk to someone at the

ark Center. If so, I would recommend talking to Manager,Kathleen McInnis,

47-486-5390 or Asst. Manager Naomi Kulka, 847-486-5395.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

[Guest guest]

Do they let the buddy work out with them?  Swim with them? 

Shirley

From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...>

Subject: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

IPADDUnite

Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 8:59 AM

 

We have had a wonderful relationship with the health club at the Park Center in

the Glen, in Glenview. It is probably not close enough to most of our IPADDU

members but not only is it a great facility with a free indoor walking track,

there is a great pool and the health club and lots of classes. Noah has a single

resident membership. Though we reside in Northbrook, they were willing to give

him the membership at the resident rate. In addition, his PSW accompanies him

and does a pretty rigorous weight training routine with him. We have never been

questioned or limited in any way. Their policy states that someone with a

disability can be accompanied by a companion for assistance.

Maybe your local health club manager would be willing to talk to someone at the

Park Center. If so, I would recommend talking to Manager,Kathleen McInnis,

847-486-5390 or Asst. Manager Naomi Kulka, 847-486-5395.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

[Guest guest]

I'm not sure; I'll ask my son.

Bonnie Dohogne

From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...>

Subject: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

IPADDUnite

Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 8:59 AM

 

We have had a wonderful relationship with the health club at the Park Center in

the Glen, in Glenview. It is probably not close enough to most of our IPADDU

members but not only is it a great facility with a free indoor walking track,

there is a great pool and the health club and lots of classes. Noah has a single

resident membership. Though we reside in Northbrook, they were willing to give

him the membership at the resident rate. In addition, his PSW accompanies him

and does a pretty rigorous weight training routine with him. We have never been

questioned or limited in any way. Their policy states that someone with a

disability can be accompanied by a companion for assistance.

Maybe your local health club manager would be willing to talk to someone at the

Park Center. If so, I would recommend talking to Manager,Kathleen McInnis,

847-486-5390 or Asst. Manager Naomi Kulka, 847-486-5395.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

[Guest guest]

My son said one buddy did work out when at the Y.

Bonnie

From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...>

Subject: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

IPADDUnite

Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 8:59 AM

 

We have had a wonderful relationship with the health club at the Park Center in

the Glen, in Glenview. It is probably not close enough to most of our IPADDU

members but not only is it a great facility with a free indoor walking track,

there is a great pool and the health club and lots of classes. Noah has a single

resident membership. Though we reside in Northbrook, they were willing to give

him the membership at the resident rate. In addition, his PSW accompanies him

and does a pretty rigorous weight training routine with him. We have never been

questioned or limited in any way. Their policy states that someone with a

disability can be accompanied by a companion for assistance.

Maybe your local health club manager would be willing to talk to someone at the

Park Center. If so, I would recommend talking to Manager,Kathleen McInnis,

847-486-5390 or Asst. Manager Naomi Kulka, 847-486-5395.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

[Guest guest]

People, people! This is not a case of a health club being nice and letting your

person have a 'swim buddy' or 'workout buddy' or whatever they want to call it,

for free -- this is federal law! If your person is a paying member of a health

club, whether private or public, and needs a personal assistant or PSW in order

to access the facility or programs BECAUSE OF THEIR DISABILITY, that assistant

comes in for FREE. For a person with a cognitive disability, duties could

include things such as helping the person make decisions/stay on task,

communicate with staff or others, navigate the club facilities

safely/appropriately, personal assistance in the locker room/shower, etc etc.

Now -- the ADA does not say that the personal assistant is entitled to a free

membership at a health club! So they would need to be there in the service of

your person, not just as a friend who would go along for fun. Oh, and someone

mentioned Special Rec Associations and them providing personal aides so that a

person could access a park district facility -- that is correct, but your Park

District is unique in that they do provide free (well, at taxpayer expense)

accomodations/aides as specified under IL State law. That has nothing to do

with the ADA, which is federal. A regular old health club is not required to

pay for or provide your person's personal assistant.

The ADA applies to any business entity that provides a place of 'public

accomodation' (I.e. that caters to the public, even if by selling memberships)

and has more than 15 employees. Health clubs count.

If you are new to the world of adulthood, I'd recommend you spend time reading

up on what the ADA does and does not cover. This happens to be one of the areas

where it comes in handy.

Take care,

Laurie

From: Bitto

Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 9:45 AM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

I'm wondering. .....Do all of these different facilities allow a PSW to

accompany the person w/a disability with no charge for the PSW ? I was just

going to approach my own (private) health club with the same question.

Thanks,

Maureen

From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...>

Subject: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

IPADDUnite

Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 8:59 AM

We have had a wonderful relationship with the health club at the Park Center in

the Glen, in Glenview. It is probably not close enough to most of our IPADDU

members but not only is it a great facility with a free indoor walking track,

there is a great pool and the health club and lots of classes. Noah has a single

resident membership. Though we reside in Northbrook, they were willing to give

him the membership at the resident rate. In addition, his PSW accompanies him

and does a pretty rigorous weight training routine with him. We have never been

questioned or limited in any way. Their policy states that someone with a

disability can be accompanied by a companion for assistance.

Maybe your local health club manager would be willing to talk to someone at the

Park Center. If so, I would recommend talking to Manager,Kathleen McInnis,

847-486-5390 or Asst. Manager Naomi Kulka, 847-486-5395.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

[Guest guest]

Yes, Yes, Yes!! Thank you, Laurie!

From: IPADDUnite [mailto:IPADDUnite ] On Behalf

Of Jerue Family

Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 4:57 PM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

People, people! This is not a case of a health club being nice and letting your

person have a 'swim buddy' or 'workout buddy' or whatever they want to call it,

for free -- this is federal law! If your person is a paying member of a health

club, whether private or public, and needs a personal assistant or PSW in order

to access the facility or programs BECAUSE OF THEIR DISABILITY, that assistant

comes in for FREE. For a person with a cognitive disability, duties could

include things such as helping the person make decisions/stay on task,

communicate with staff or others, navigate the club facilities

safely/appropriately, personal assistance in the locker room/shower, etc etc.

Now -- the ADA does not say that the personal assistant is entitled to a free

membership at a health club! So they would need to be there in the service of

your person, not just as a friend who would go along for fun. Oh, and someone

mentioned Special Rec Associations and them providing personal aides so that a

person could access a park district facility -- that is correct, but your Park

District is unique in that they do provide free (well, at taxpayer expense)

accomodations/aides as specified under IL State law. That has nothing to do with

the ADA, which is federal. A regular old health club is not required to pay for

or provide your person's personal assistant.

The ADA applies to any business entity that provides a place of 'public

accomodation' (I.e. that caters to the public, even if by selling memberships)

and has more than 15 employees. Health clubs count.

If you are new to the world of adulthood, I'd recommend you spend time reading

up on what the ADA does and does not cover. This happens to be one of the areas

where it comes in handy.

Take care,

Laurie

From: Bitto

Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 9:45 AM

IPADDUnite <mailto:IPADDUnite%40>

Subject: Re: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

I'm wondering. .....Do all of these different facilities allow a PSW to

accompany the person w/a disability with no charge for the PSW ? I was just

going to approach my own (private) health club with the same question.

Thanks,

Maureen

From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@... <mailto:egskb%40sbcglobal.net> >

Subject: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

IPADDUnite <mailto:IPADDUnite%40>

Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 8:59 AM

We have had a wonderful relationship with the health club at the Park Center in

the Glen, in Glenview. It is probably not close enough to most of our IPADDU

members but not only is it a great facility with a free indoor walking track,

there is a great pool and the health club and lots of classes. Noah has a single

resident membership. Though we reside in Northbrook, they were willing to give

him the membership at the resident rate. In addition, his PSW accompanies him

and does a pretty rigorous weight training routine with him. We have never been

questioned or limited in any way. Their policy states that someone with a

disability can be accompanied by a companion for assistance.

Maybe your local health club manager would be willing to talk to someone at the

Park Center. If so, I would recommend talking to Manager,Kathleen McInnis,

847-486-5390 or Asst. Manager Naomi Kulka, 847-486-5395.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@... <mailto:egskb%40sbcglobal.net>

[Guest guest]

Yes, but some of the remarks seemed to hint that the adult child did not have

paid membership.

Perhaps those of us who remember life before ADA are stuck in a " Let me nicely

ask management for a favor " mode, instead of just saying, " Hi, I'm here to pay

for a membership for my son/daughter. S/he has disabilities and will also have

a PSW when visiting. " Then if there's noise, we sweetly point out ADA

provisions.

-Gail

________________________________

From: Jerue Family <jeruefamily@...>

IPADDUnite

Sent: Tue, November 30, 2010 4:57:16 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

People, people! This is not a case of a health club being nice and letting your

person have a 'swim buddy' or 'workout buddy' or whatever they want to call it,

for free -- this is federal law! If your person is a paying member of a health

club, whether private or public, and needs a personal assistant or PSW in order

to access the facility or programs BECAUSE OF THEIR DISABILITY, that assistant

comes in for FREE. For a person with a cognitive disability, duties could

include things such as helping the person make decisions/stay on task,

communicate with staff or others, navigate the club facilities

safely/appropriately, personal assistance in the locker room/shower, etc etc.

Now -- the ADA does not say that the personal assistant is entitled to a free

membership at a health club! So they would need to be there in the service of

your person, not just as a friend who would go along for fun. Oh, and someone

mentioned Special Rec Associations and them providing personal aides so that a

person could access a park district facility -- that is correct, but your Park

District is unique in that they do provide free (well, at taxpayer expense)

accomodations/aides as specified under IL State law. That has nothing to do

with the ADA, which is federal. A regular old health club is not required to

pay for or provide your person's personal assistant.

The ADA applies to any business entity that provides a place of 'public

accomodation' (I.e. that caters to the public, even if by selling memberships)

and has more than 15 employees. Health clubs count.

If you are new to the world of adulthood, I'd recommend you spend time reading

up on what the ADA does and does not cover. This happens to be one of the areas

where it comes in handy.

Take care,

Laurie

From: Bitto

Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 9:45 AM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

I'm wondering. .....Do all of these different facilities allow a PSW to

accompany the person w/a disability with no charge for the PSW ? I was just

going to approach my own (private) health club with the same question.

Thanks,

Maureen

From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...>

Subject: Re: Exercise Facility that allows PSW's

IPADDUnite

Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 8:59 AM

We have had a wonderful relationship with the health club at the Park Center in

the Glen, in Glenview. It is probably not close enough to most of our IPADDU

members but not only is it a great facility with a free indoor walking track,

there is a great pool and the health club and lots of classes. Noah has a single

resident membership. Though we reside in Northbrook, they were willing to give

him the membership at the resident rate. In addition, his PSW accompanies him

and does a pretty rigorous weight training routine with him. We have never been

questioned or limited in any way. Their policy states that someone with a

disability can be accompanied by a companion for assistance.

Maybe your local health club manager would be willing to talk to someone at the

Park Center. If so, I would recommend talking to Manager,Kathleen McInnis,

847-486-5390 or Asst. Manager Naomi Kulka, 847-486-5395.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

[Guest guest]

PSW's can go to the health club at the Park Center with Noah and assist him.

They are not authorized to use the equipment for their own personal training.

So, theoretically, they cannot be on a treadmill, side by side with Noah. In

other words, PSW's are NOT automatically members of the health club.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...