Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional A question about the law

My son's therapists have IDs supplied by the agency and when necessary (such as to accompany him to one of the city's day camps) they fax over the paperwork showing they have been TB tested, fingerprinted and background checked.

Of note, when a therapist accompanies my son to a city-run daycamp, I don't pay an entrance fee for the therapist and when we have gone to the pool (which is done not because it's entertaining but to work on specific skills like tolerating the feel of wet cold clothes while being around a certain amount of noise) we have not had to pay for the aide's entrance fee. In our area this is a recognized ADA accommodation.

Hi, found this for you (tried looking around b/c I'm curious now. I wonder how it works with the elderly, etc.): http://www.thespeciallife.com/disability-discounts.html#axzz353BZvWgI

Still not sure about the actual law on the subject... will try to research more or ask around to my colleagues tomorrow ...

I told the person that she was my sons therapist, I didn't expect him to read my mind. How much is she costing the state? Her salary of likely 15 bucks or so an hour plus all of the overhead. So, in short, a ton of money. Why?

And just because we can manage without a TSS doesn't mean we should have to. My son is aggressive when upset and gets upset often. It is safer for everyone if the TSS is there to help out, both helping him stay calm and dealing with behaviors if they occur.

BTW, thanks a bunch everyone. I really appreciate your responses

Incidentally, in a privately run pool the aide would have been free - when you belong to a private pool you get to bring guests, aides, etc. for "free."

Really? I don't think you can make such a sweeping generalization about how all non-government-run pools operate.

I just want to mention that most State Parks have programs for free admission or up to 50% off for people with disabilities. You should look into it.

Get in touch with your state's ADA coordinator. There might be one as a part of the parks department or it might just be someone in the social services department. This is an issue they should be made aware of and your bringing it up could result in a better outcome for other families in the future.

Any state, city, etc. that gets federal money has to have an ADA coordinator and a complaint procedure.

Look around the agency websites and you'll probably find someone.

No one stopped the aide from entering the park and no one stopped her from doing her job and no one said that kids with disabilities should be less equal and less loved. A cashier just just asked her to pay the eight bucks. If they give a discount, that's nice. It's great. But there doesn't seem to be a LAW requiring it.

So what if she didn't swim? She entered the park and there was an admission fee for doing so. End of story. Maybe the park offers a discount, and the cashier didn't know that. Personally, I would have made a casual enquiry with the State Parks department before making claims about discrimination --- especially because no one was discriminated against. Asking for an admission fee that everyone else pays is not discrimination.

Here's another scenario to consider. What if you needed to catch a flight and your child needed an aide. Should the airline give the aide a free ticket?