[IL-Talk] Help with discrimination incident

[Kyle Chellino]

I would sue the crap out of him! You don't do that to blind people, or
anyone for that matter!

On Mon, Sep 26, 2022 at 5:07 PM Robert Hansen via IL-Talk <
il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> 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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