my partner and i have been members here for a few years...before the renovation.
We were happy here even though we took a long break after a bad car accident prevented us from working out.
We're back now for the past couple months and this review is solely for the disconnected and embarrassing response to their well-known parking lot issues, specially the disabled spots.
There are NOT enough spots and ZERO spots designated for vans with wheelchair lifts.
A dear friend, who uses a wheelchair, uses the Y
everyday, EVERY day.
She has difficulty parking in an accessible spot 95% of the time. Often she has to park across the street and as you can imagine this is not ideal, especially in inclement weather.
As an advocate for my friend and all people having difficulty parking in the assigned spots I have made phone calls and had a mini-meeting with the ED.
During a brief meeting just the other day I also met with a woman who I had a lovely discussion with earlier, 2 weeks ago. On that call she was appropriately concerned and basically said a bunch of stuff that lead me to believe that she understood the dire issues with the lack of enough parking for their disabled clients.
I offered a (temporary) solution...to change the "van accessible" spot to a "van only" spot.
You see, those lines next to most disabled parking spots are on purpose, so vehicles with wheelchair lifts can get in and out of their vehicle.
She agreed enthusiastically and said "great idea, I would have never thought of that."
Then, just a few days ago, in a face to face meeting, she said she hadn't followed up on our discussion from 2 weeks ago, no reason no apology, just that she hadn't.
What is the deal with you all, the powers that be, at the Y??
A staff member at the desk told me that they discussed the issue and had decided that inconveniencing my friend in the wheelchair wasn't reason enough to designate one parking spot "Van Only"...because the spot would remain empty for the other 12 hrs the Y is open.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Yes, I'm afraid he speaks for everyone in power there and they are serious.
Their mission statement invites people from
everywhere with ALL FORMS OF ABILITY.
It's the first one in their posted statement!!
They bill themselves as all inclusive, inviting/recruiting the senior population who of course could have more mobility issues yet when they arrive there's inadequate parking spaces.
I've seen the disabled spots full... yet open regular spaces even closer to the gym, empty.
Something has to be done and the leadership at the Y needs to be doing it!!
No more consultants, no
more meetings...just designate more spots, make at least one spot "Van ONLY" and do it with generosity of spirit.
I am so tired of identifying this problem, bringing it to their attention, offering some solutions only to be met with pushback or empty promises and lip service.
And I'm able-bodied...can you for just a moment imagine those who need the Y for pain relief, community or just trying their best to stay active...the energy it might take to even get to the gym in the first place...only to find no available parking spots?!
I will
add that during the renovations there were daily issues with access to the Y because the construction company would forget to place the ramp which allows a wheelchair to go up a curb or step. Their excuse then was that "oh, they forgot."
how about when hiring a company you absolutely grill them on the on the importance of having access during all hours off operation? The Y cannot punt that away and feel good...where is the oversight??
I've also been told there is no staff to manage the parking situation... this is a lame copout.
One can only extrapolate, from my experience, that no one in charge at the Y uses a wheelchair or loves anyone in a wheelchair.
This is discrimination, folks...this is exactly what it looks like.
Action item for anyone who loves the Y and uses it:
Please write letters, call, tweet...help them realize they need to do so much better.
Thank you. read more
