No seating for people in wheelchairs at Tamaqua stadium

Reported on Friday, October 2, 2009

Dear Editor:

I read that letter in the Saturday TIMES NEWS in which the woman was complaining about no seating for the incapacitated people. You know those who have to have a wheelchair or some other piece of equipment to help them get around.

Well, I agree with her. It is too bad after all the money spent on making the stadium really great, that there is no place for these people to sit.

Do you mean to say there is no way to reserve a few seats for these people so they can watch a football game or any other program that they may pay to watch.

I am sure that there are not that many people like that, that you could not reserve a few seats, in a good position for them. Come on people. Tamaqua is supposed to be a great place for athletic teams. How about welcoming all those fans to our stadium and other fields when they come to see Tamaqua Sports people doing their stuff.

I announced the Tamaqua Varsity and Jr. Varsity and Freshmen football games for 18 years. I know what it is to correspond with the fans and the players.

Please, for the sake of Tamaqua Area High School's well meaning, do something about this situation.

Thank you,

Edward Robert Rummel,

18 year Football P.A. Announcer

Tamaqua

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Comments

Thank You Mr. Rummel for your support!!!

Saturday, October 3, 2009 — jamie92273

Not only is it morally and ethically wrong for the Tamaqua School district to have left out and discriminated against people with Disabilities, but it is also clearly illegal for them to have done so.

You see there there is a law in effect since July 26, 1990 called the "Americans With Disabilities Act" This is federal legislation signed into Law by former President George H.W. Bush or George Sr. as some refer to him as.

I won't go into great detail but the accessibility issues at the Tamaqua High Schhol Stadium are in direct violation of two titles of this particular Law.

First and Foremost, this is in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act which calls for a "Reasonable Accomodation" to goods and servics. That being said the District must designate a special section for persons w/ disabilities and one additional person to accompany that disabled individual incase they may need assistance at anytime. There is to be such a designated area on the Home side as well as the Vsitors side. Currently there is none on the Tamaqua Side. The Service Counters at the food stands are also Too High in most cases and the Gravel that is just inside the gates should be solid ground "Preferably concrete or Asphalt" There should be a Solid path of travel "atleast 36 inches Wide" There is not, it's all Gravel. This simply should not be!!!

Secondly the District is most likely in violation of Title II in respect to the fact that they have not made accommodations and are a state funded entity since School Districts receive both Federal and State Monies each Year. One could argue the fact that they may not be entitled to some of these funds if they do not follow the Law.

It's about time Tamaqua does what is right for people and stop concerning themselves soley with the Almighty Dollar and that is the bottom line. "ACCESS IS SIMPLY GOOD BUSINESS" Increase your accessibility/visitability for all persons and you will increse your revenues "over time" by having disabled individuals attend your functions...

Jamie92273