[IL-Talk] Help with discrimination incident

[Leslie Hamric]

Wow! This person was definitely misinformed. I would not hesitate to file a complaint on him. Pe People can be so clueless and so stupid.

Leslie Hamric
Cello and Braille Music Teacher
Board member of National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division


> On Sep 26, 2022, at 4:13 PM, Kelly Pierce via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Today’s experience with the owner of one of the best gyms in America
> was like going back to the attitudes of the 1980s. Legal action
> certainly is needed as well as education in the capacities of blind
> people.  I will appreciate any help in opening up this gym to blind
> people.  My description of the blindness discrimination is below.
> 
> Kelly
> 
> 
> On September 26, 2022 I visited Quads Gym at 3727 N. Broadway Street
> in Chicago for the purpose of obtaining a membership and performing a
> workout.  I spoke to Dave De Young, the owner of Quads Gym.  He
> refused to sell me a membership because blind people pose a safety
> risk to themselves and others. I am blind and use a long, white cane
> for travel and navigation. Specifically, he said that I could fall
> down stairs, trip over personal bags and weights placed on the floor,
> or injure myself on the equipment. He also said I could pose insurance
> liability risks, and suggested I visit a chain gym such as Planet
> Fitness. I stated that I had been a member of Defined gym for the last
> 10 years. Defined is a gym about a block away.  I suggested that he
> call the owners of Defined who would describe my capacities and
> capabilities in navigating a gym and in lifting weights. I have
> participated successfully in three powerlifting competitions at
> facilities other than Defined. De Young said he did not need to
> contact anyone else because he knows that a blind person would be
> dangerous in a gym.  He wondered why I left defined. I explained my
> interest was the same as others who state on De Young’s website
> “Quads is a one of a kind gym and far superior to those impersonal,
> cookie-cutter chains. Quads equipment is superior. The people are fun
> and personable.” The gym was named one of the top ten gyms in America
> by Muscular Development magazine. The facility spans 40,000 square
> feet with various kinds of equipment and fitness areas.  De Young said
> the only way I or any other blind person could become a member is if a
> personal trainer were to accompany me continuously during every visit.
> Trainers listed on the Quads website quote prices of $100 an hour. If
> a blind person were to visit the gym three times a week for a whole
> year, the cost of this requirement would be $15,600, more than 25
> times higher than the $600 yearly rate charged to sighted members. I
> pointed out this amount was cost prohibitive, but De Young said it was
> the only way to protect his legal liability and ensure the safety of
> myself and other members. He said his decision was for my benefit. The
> conversation ended after both sides stated their positions and I left
> the business.
> 
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