[blindlaw] Cardinal Fitness Center

[Steve Jacobson]

Ron,

Yes indeed, this explanation adds a lot.  When such things have happened in other areas, we've usually asked for a 
statement from the insurance company outlining the basis upon which they say you are a higher risk.  Generally, nobody 
will put this in writing and will agree that you are not a higher risk.  I would start there.  

On Tue, 1 Apr 2008 08:48:36 -1200, Ron Dixon wrote:

>Steve, it is not that I need a personal assistant to work the machines at a 
>fitness center, it was the accommodations by which the fitness center I 
>joined decided met its insurance's policy and probably their own ignorance 
>on what a blind person can or can not due.    At the time, if giving me a 
>personal trainer made them feel at ease, then their form of accommodations 
>did not hinder nor degrade me.

>Now Cardinal Fitness Center, on the other hand, also believe my blindness is 
>a potential insurance liability.  However, their response is to not allow me 
>a membership unless I bring my own private trainer.  They believe they have 
>no responsibility to provide accommodations.  Therefore, either I come to 
>the fitness center with someone to show me around or I can not join.  Does 
>that add any more to your understanding?
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Steve Jacobson" <steve.jacobson at visi.com>
>To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:10 AM
>Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Cardinal Fitness Center


>: 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?
>: >
>:
>:
>:
>:
>:
>:
>:
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