photo by Boyd Loving
Return of Graydon accessibility device makes no sense
Friday, July 26, 2013
The Ridgewood News
Return of Graydon accessibility device makes no sense
To the editor:
After beating the drum of accessibility for years, Mayor Paul Aronsohn made no objection to Parks & Recreation Department Director Tim Cronin’s decision to spurn the Mobi-Chair.
Graydon’s sole enhancement to accessibility for the disabled was returned to the manufacturer on July 17 after a month long free trial (“Village returns Mobi-Chair after trial at Graydon Pool”; The Ridgewood News; July 19, page A5). Did the chair threaten the 90-foot concrete ramp desired by the mayor?
The Mobi-Chair, used enthusiastically at beaches and other swimming areas worldwide by disabled persons of all ages, drew few users during its trial here. This was seen as proof of failure. Might one reason for the low response be that Parks & Rec never publicized the chair’s presence with a sign, press release, announcement or photo on the village website, or email alert to Graydon badge holders? Might another reason be that Access for All Committee members were discouraged from trying the chair by the mayor, their purported advocate?
Mr. Cronin’s arguments against the Mobi-Chair could be remedied. Not for children? “Our” chair, once returned, was shipped to a camp for disabled children in Massachusetts. No access into the water? Easily effected with a small ramp of sand — natural, available, noninvasive, impermanent, permeable to water. Too simple, no cost, no builder’s contract, no monument to greatness.
Introducing accessibility demands creative rethinking and adjustment; that’s why it’s called “accommodation.” This doesn’t mean a vast concrete expanse over the sand and into the deep end of Graydon would make sense. Even if the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection approved — it allowed the synthetic turf, after all — the ramp would remain a poor idea.
The Mobi-Chair’s final dip at Graydon was a live demonstration by Mr. Cronin for a couple from Englewood Cliffs. They later purchased a Mobi-Chair from the company to use at the Shore. The husband, who receives therapy at the Kessler Institute, was delighted and said he would sing the chair’s praises there. Still no good?
At least two older people said after the Mobi-Chair’s disappearance that they had hoped to use it soon. But let’s say the near-silence of would-be users truly indicates lack of interest by Ridgewood’s disabled community in swimming at Graydon. Why then build a large, high-priced, less-useful structure that would pose a safety hazard, block the spillway, detract from swimmers’ pleasure, redefine a natural site, involve endless maintenance problems, be far too long for the unsteady of foot, further pave a severe flood area, and sit there 24/7/52 — no return possible?
Village government and staff have behaved shamefully and hypocritically in failing to embrace a high-quality, modestly priced device — at a discount, with a free aluminum sign — that would temporarily have satisfied Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines while representing an important first step toward accessibility at our municipal bathing beach.
Marcia Ringel
Co-chair
The Preserve Graydon Coalition
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/217053721_Letter__Return_of_Graydon_accessibility_device_makes_no_sense.html?page=all
Return of Graydon accessibility device makes no sense
Friday, July 26, 2013
The Ridgewood News
Return of Graydon accessibility device makes no sense
To the editor:
After beating the drum of accessibility for years, Mayor Paul Aronsohn made no objection to Parks & Recreation Department Director Tim Cronin’s decision to spurn the Mobi-Chair.
Graydon’s sole enhancement to accessibility for the disabled was returned to the manufacturer on July 17 after a month long free trial (“Village returns Mobi-Chair after trial at Graydon Pool”; The Ridgewood News; July 19, page A5). Did the chair threaten the 90-foot concrete ramp desired by the mayor?
The Mobi-Chair, used enthusiastically at beaches and other swimming areas worldwide by disabled persons of all ages, drew few users during its trial here. This was seen as proof of failure. Might one reason for the low response be that Parks & Rec never publicized the chair’s presence with a sign, press release, announcement or photo on the village website, or email alert to Graydon badge holders? Might another reason be that Access for All Committee members were discouraged from trying the chair by the mayor, their purported advocate?
Mr. Cronin’s arguments against the Mobi-Chair could be remedied. Not for children? “Our” chair, once returned, was shipped to a camp for disabled children in Massachusetts. No access into the water? Easily effected with a small ramp of sand — natural, available, noninvasive, impermanent, permeable to water. Too simple, no cost, no builder’s contract, no monument to greatness.
Introducing accessibility demands creative rethinking and adjustment; that’s why it’s called “accommodation.” This doesn’t mean a vast concrete expanse over the sand and into the deep end of Graydon would make sense. Even if the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection approved — it allowed the synthetic turf, after all — the ramp would remain a poor idea.
The Mobi-Chair’s final dip at Graydon was a live demonstration by Mr. Cronin for a couple from Englewood Cliffs. They later purchased a Mobi-Chair from the company to use at the Shore. The husband, who receives therapy at the Kessler Institute, was delighted and said he would sing the chair’s praises there. Still no good?
At least two older people said after the Mobi-Chair’s disappearance that they had hoped to use it soon. But let’s say the near-silence of would-be users truly indicates lack of interest by Ridgewood’s disabled community in swimming at Graydon. Why then build a large, high-priced, less-useful structure that would pose a safety hazard, block the spillway, detract from swimmers’ pleasure, redefine a natural site, involve endless maintenance problems, be far too long for the unsteady of foot, further pave a severe flood area, and sit there 24/7/52 — no return possible?
Village government and staff have behaved shamefully and hypocritically in failing to embrace a high-quality, modestly priced device — at a discount, with a free aluminum sign — that would temporarily have satisfied Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines while representing an important first step toward accessibility at our municipal bathing beach.
Marcia Ringel
Co-chair
The Preserve Graydon Coalition
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/217053721_Letter__Return_of_Graydon_accessibility_device_makes_no_sense.html?page=all#sthash.VxhTW3yB.dpuf
