Are People In Wheelchairs Discriminated Against At Popular Philadelphia Restaurants?

[mark handler]

Are People In Wheelchairs Discriminated Against At Popular Philadelphia Restaurants?

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/05/05/cbs-3-investigation/

 

[cda]

Not on Price is Right

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/05/us/wheelchair-woman-treadmill-price-is-right/

 

[mark handler]

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Not welcome here — that’s the message some disabled people say they’re getting when trying to go to some popular Philadelphia restaurants.

They say it’s discrimination.

Federal prosecutors are taking a look into the issue.

Health Reporter Stephanie Stahl has more in this CBS3 undercover investigation.

Philadelphia has a number of restaurant superstars, but some are breaking the law, discriminating against people in wheelchairs.

“There’s no way for me to get in,” said German Parodi.

Steps are an obstacle and not being able to fit through a bathroom door. Clear violations of the ADA — the Americans with Disabilities Act — passed 25 years ago.

Our CBS 3 undercover cameras ran into illegal roadblocks all over the city.

Stahl: “No way to get in?”

“No way to get in,” said German.

There are two steps at the entrance to Pub and Kitchen.

It is one of 25 restaurants sent a survey by the U.S. Attorney asking questions about ADA accessibility.

“We take the responsibility seriously because it’s very important that people be treated fairly and equally under the law,” said Zane Memeger.

Zane Memeger, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, says the popular restaurants being surveyed were randomly selected.

Stahl: “Some of the disability groups that we’ve been talking to have been saying to us it’s about time, what’s taken so long?”

“There’s a new sheriff in town. I mean basically what it comes down to is that this is very important work that needs to be done,” said Memeger.

“I was the victim of a carjack. They shot me in the neck,” said German.

German Parodi has been in a wheelchair since he was 17. He showed us the difficulties he faces all the time.

“It’s every day. It’s discrimination I see on every step along the way,” said German.

Even at a little place like Yogorino — more steps.

Stahl: “He can’t get in and that’s illegal.”

More on website

The U.S. Attorney says it will take a while to review the restaurants on their survey list, they’ll try to work with facilities that are in violation of the ADA, but if they don’t comply they could be prosecuted.

There are no exemptions, if you serve the public a commercial establishment has to be accessible to people with disabilities.

 

[Msradell]

I wish that the US Attorneys in All of the Districts across the United States Would Do the Same Thing! Most places they just completely ignore ADA violations.

 

[mark handler]

I wish that the US Attorneys in All of the Districts across the United States Would Do the Same Thing! Most places they just completely ignore ADA violations.

The US Attorneys are reactive, not proactive; They only take action when complaints are filed

 

[Msradell]

The US Attorneys are reactive, not proactive; They only take action when complaints are filed

Or just ignore complaints, like they do here! I filed a couple of complaints with the local US attorney and they told me that things like that were not part of their job.

 

[mark handler]

Or just ignore complaints, like they do here! I filed a couple of complaints with the local US attorney and they told me that things like that were not part of their job.

It may not be part of their job, You need to file the complaint with the right division.

 

[Msradell]

It may not be part of their job, You need to file the complaint with the right division.

I would think that the US attorney for the region would route the complaint to the appropriate division.

 

[mark handler]

I would think that the US attorney for the region would route the complaint to the appropriate division.

Not their job.....