[blindlaw] Cardinal Fitness Center

[Steve Jacobson]

Wow, I have heard of difficulties running some of the various exercise machines in fitness centers, but I have never heard of a blind person needing a personal 
trainer 
to avoid hurting themselves or someone else.  Asking for someone to familiarize one with the machinery and the layout to some degree seems reasonable, but 
expecting 
a personal trainer strikes me as excessive, especially since they are not providing personal training.  There are two parts to this issue, though, the legal part and the 
practical part, and it's not easy to draw the line, and perhaps there are circumstances here of which I am not aware.

On Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:11:43 -1200, Ron Dixon wrote:

> 
>Hi Gang:
> 
>A question for anyone who has encountered this problem or know of this problem.  I recently moved to the Chicago area from Florida and finally found a fitness 
center 
near my home.  When I called to inquire of membership, I informed the office manager of my blindness and my need for an accommodation.  I explained my fitness 
center in Florida provided me with a personal trainer who insured I did not injure myself using the equipment or injure someone else by possibly tripping them or 
tripping 
and falling onto someone.  Nevertheless, the arrangement worked and there was no extra cost.
> 
>The manager at Cardinal, however, refuse to make a decision on allowing my membership and/or accommodations.  He passed the buck to his manger who called 
me 
the following day and after listening to the same story told me he did not have the authority to offer accommodations and he will have one of the partners get into 
contact with me.  I am currently still waiting on the partner's call.
> 
>Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with the partner, or in case the partner does not return my call?
>