Monday on the YCD:
Gloria Hage, interim vice president and general counsel at U-M:
"To be clear, we are proposing this plan outline as an offer of compromise -- in the interest of implementing our commitment to full and high quality accessibility to Michigan Stadium for individuals with disabilities who use wheelchairs, and in a way that will avoid the time and expense of protracted litigation with the Department of Justice
TODAY reality hit:
'The federal Department of Education has quickly rejected a compromise the University of Michigan filed Monday to add more handicapped seats than it had originally planned for a renovation now under way.'
Not JUST this, but also NOW the Department of Justice is joining the lawsuit against the University of Michigan.
How'd that press release work for ya Gloria? Just like YCD said it would?
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4 comments:
I love it. U-M thinks they are their own nation. Next thing you know they will want their own casino and they will be selling cigarettes.
I think I am going to issue a press release offering to compromise my driving speed. I think the government should go for me travelling 75 instead of 80, even though the speed limit is 70.
All in attempt to reduce the legal expenses of them arresting and prosecuting me.
I think the DOJ is telling them they are just peeing in the wind. I am glad somebody has the nads to stand up to them.
Me too glimmertiwnfan, me too. LOVED your comment about U-M thinking they are their own nation
The ADA requirements for the stadium mandate 1,080 wheelchair-accessible seats. The stadium currently has "about 90" [what does "about 90" mean? 85?] wheelchair-accessible seats. The (rejected) compromise involves "convert[ing] some bench seating to handicap seating by using portable platforms" to create 592 seats. Not only does the compromise fail to comply with ADA regs, it's a half-baked "portable platforms" rinkydink arrangement.
What I personally find most obnoxious about the U-M's intransigence (aside from the fact that the 1080 seats would be a truly measly 1% of the 107,501 seats available) is that the suit was originally filed by the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Talk about shameful on U-M's part.
Compare that to the quick, cooperative response the MPVA got from Comerica Park when they asked for a tiny stadium modification:
"MPVA and Comerica Park management have a positive history of addressing and resolving issues before they become problems. So I didn’t hesitate to set up a meeting with Mike Healy, Stadium Operations, Comerica Ballpark, to make management aware of the need for cup holders in the wheelchair sections.
"As I hoped, Mr. Healy was ready to attack the issue from the perspective of the “glass being half full” instead of half empty.”
"I presented him with a proposal. MPVA, I told him, would be happy to purchase the cup holders for the wheelchair seating areas as long as the ballpark crew had them installed as soon as possible. Plus, we wanted their permission to identify the cup holders as a gift from MPVA by labeling each up with the MPVA logo and contact information. The Detroit Tigers management quickly embraced the offer. It was a home run on behalf of the home team here at MPVA!
"Every time that we have gone to the Detroit Tigers management with a request to improve accessibility at the ballpark they have jumped on board to accommodate fans with disabilities. Because of that cooperation and partnership attitude MVPA presented John McHale and the Detroit Tigers with our “Meritorious Service Award.” This award honors people or organizations that go above and beyond expectations to welcome people with disabilities."
WOW, thanks Dixit. That REALLY helps put U-M's arrogance and greed into perspective. Glimmertwinfan and Ypsidixit, your commentary on this is nothing less than superb!
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