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Debate over accessibility for public pools

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    Pool owners scrambling to meet requirements

  • Duration 4:34
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Across this country are scrambling to comply with the new federal rate requirement they have until May Tony first to make their pool is accessible.

To disable swimmers some say the upgrades are long overdue and everyone -- simply have act to access to public swimming facilities.

Others argue it could lead to some pools public -- shutting down simply because they can't get the equipment and time and the costs are high.

I'm Riley -- she is public policy vice president and the American hotel and lodging association.

And mark Perry LO is president and CEO of the American association of people with disabilities -- both.

I ever got to have you know.

Mark I was surprised to know that that this west and the law are -- why is this new regulation.

Necessary and and when did this come about.

So actually it has been -- -- for a long time.

George Bush senior actually what it was the the present who signed this into too law 21 years ago.

And we are only now seeing.

To -- Department of Justice I'm looking to enforce it.

And it is long overdue because all Americans including Americans with disabilities should have access to to public swimming pool.

Our -- when he year heads that -- and that's a long time for our folks -- have public schools to make sure that they fit -- with the federal requirement what's the problem here.

I can then bargain they were stating that a bit actually they're 2010 regulations that came out.

Didn't actually specifically state that you could have that you had to have a permanent -- it.

That only came out in January and some guidance and so what we're saying is that really this is all about and we're crying a permanent vs a portable -- And oddly we just think the industry makes it makes more sense it's safer to have a portable left.

They can be shared between pools it doesn't cause injury that you don't leave out overnight from the elements.

And that is and you -- required.

And cool to have to be.

-- to be torn up to do electrical grounding more camera -- you know looking for a practical solution -- -- an interesting point we're seeing is that few different full list on our screen right now I think the first one we -- was a permanent one and and -- -- owners are saying listen this is costing us.

Upwards of 6500 dollars outfitter -- were a little bit concerned about insurance liability because kids are running around and we can't move this away so they can get injured and then they say.

At what we did this just came out a couple months ago that this was the requirements.

And now everyone's rushing to get one of these lifts and and there's a shortage of them so they don't feel like they're gonna be ready in time for us this -- -- -- much reason -- maybe shut down a pool so.

Do you think there should be -- a compromise here are some flexibility about whether or not it's a permanent -- store one that can be moved on and off the pullback.

Well you know when it comes right down to it I think that there -- is a compromise.

And there is in the new regulations.

And undue burden -- -- -- that means that if public pool owner.

Can can make the case that there's an undue burden for them and installing a permanent left.

That the portable lifts are actually acceptable.

And so you know we've seen these these arguments for a long time after the passage of the Americans with disabilities act.

But it when it comes right down to it and in America.

People with disabilities should have the same access that everyone else enjoys.

And the portable lifts you know there -- pools many public pools that don't have lifeguards on duty at all times.

You know in those instances what happens when a person with a disability wants access to that -- They aren't the safest solution.

And we really think that the permanent lists are the way to go.

And so we're pretty excited.

That were close to making our close to seeing that.

Happen and -- to quick final thought from you what's fair's fair but that's mark's point in the past -- -- -- any access to everybody and everybody has the same -- of these properties so.

Isn't it just the job these -- operators to comply finally.

We think it's you know the guest services an accommodation with the industry is all about and we want to be able to comply we want to make sure that.

Are -- -- have the access that all our guests are safe.

And -- these.

Portable less are making gay and -- safer than -- wanna stay with -- permanent lift is gonna put them at risk.

Is gonna have an undue burden on the pool operator they're gonna be less likely to install it if the goal is access.

And we need to be able to provide that access and give the operators some flexibility -- is asking for a common sense solution.

To be able to provide that access wasn't losing everything -- -- -- -- it's an interesting conversation headed to -- season which is -- the reasons why caught arise and take a look at -- in times of austerity and also fairness out there.

I will -- -- our viewers decide.

What they think about this issue Marley and mark thanks -- both thank you for coming on.

Thank thank you.

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