[IL-Talk] Help with discrimination incident

[Robert Hansen]

I would sue the pants off of this guy right left up down and 10 ways to
Sunday. I've met some of these jock PE type people sometimes and they can
be real stupid and arrogant! Yes I do go to a change gym but you know
personally thanks for letting us know about this. This guy's a big jerk! I
would definitely sue the pants off of this guy and his shirt. Why you're at
it take his shoes as hat his jacket and everything else you can get off of
him.

Robert Hansen
hansen.robert70 at gmail.com


On Mon, Sep 26, 2022, 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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