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Cloudbringer · 07-17-2003, 11:53 PM

Hey all, I'm up WAY too late and off to bed, but I saw this report on our local news and wanted to see if anyone had opinons, comments etc.

Priscilla Ress, channel 10 (Albany NY)investigative reporter

Lack of Access:New State rules outrage handicapped

'Leveling the playing field'. It's the phrase we heard over and over again when we asked those responsible at the Parks and Recreation Department why they changed the way handicapped people pay for handicapped accessible camp sites. It's a change that impacts people dealing with the double whammy of being both physically and economically challenged.

Margaret Dickens says her Access Pass is one of the few perks she gets as a handicapped person. It gives her free access to state parks. She used to be able to use the pass to reserve a handicapped accessible camp site for only $9, but that has changed.

"If we reserve a site we now have to pay in advance and apply for a refund," says Margaret Dickins. It's still $9 for the reservation fee and the state tacked on $13 that has to be paid up front. She then has to apply for the refund, and there is an $8.50 refund fee. Margaret Dickins says when you are handicapped knowing you have a camp site when you arrive is critical. "The campgrounds have maybe one or two of those sites and we're competing for those sites," says Dickins.

These sites are popular. Last year there were more than 16,000 overnight stays on them
in New York State. "I will get a refund, I've been told 4 to 6 weeks and up to 90 days," says Dickins. "We don't want a refund, we shouldn't have to pay at all. Why do we have to pay New York State to handle the paperwork they created?," she says.

Why the changes? Margaret Dickins says they came out of the blue. "This has all started with Commissioner Bernadette Castro," says Dickins.

Parks Department Commissioner Berndadette Castro refused any interview with us. Her spokesperson, Wendy Gibson, did send us a statement which says, "we have simply modified the reservation process, the benefit remains the same." It goes on to say, "This was an agency decision that provides more parity among all campers."

"They say it's to level off the playing field," says Margaret Dickins. Margaret says it is the handicapped campers that needed the playing field leveled.

"I live on $1,300, that's my total income for two people. I've tied up $26.00 for I don't know how long, that is a big deal for me. It may not sound like a lot but with my disability, I can't work," says Margaret Dickins. "Why is New York balancing the budget on the backs of the disabled?," she says.

These people came to us because they couldn't get an explanation from the state. We had hoped that with a six million dollar budget for administration, which includes public relations, the Parks Department would do better than a statement, but no one would sit down with us and explain how adding another layer of bureaucracy levels the playing field.

07-17-2003, 11:53 PM	#1
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	Hey all, I'm up WAY too late and off to bed, but I saw this report on our local news and wanted to see if anyone had opinons, comments etc. Priscilla Ress, channel 10 (Albany NY)investigative reporter Lack of Access:New State rules outrage handicapped 'Leveling the playing field'. It's the phrase we heard over and over again when we asked those responsible at the Parks and Recreation Department why they changed the way handicapped people pay for handicapped accessible camp sites. It's a change that impacts people dealing with the double whammy of being both physically and economically challenged. Margaret Dickens says her Access Pass is one of the few perks she gets as a handicapped person. It gives her free access to state parks. She used to be able to use the pass to reserve a handicapped accessible camp site for only $9, but that has changed. "If we reserve a site we now have to pay in advance and apply for a refund," says Margaret Dickins. It's still $9 for the reservation fee and the state tacked on $13 that has to be paid up front. She then has to apply for the refund, and there is an $8.50 refund fee. Margaret Dickins says when you are handicapped knowing you have a camp site when you arrive is critical. "The campgrounds have maybe one or two of those sites and we're competing for those sites," says Dickins. These sites are popular. Last year there were more than 16,000 overnight stays on them in New York State. "I will get a refund, I've been told 4 to 6 weeks and up to 90 days," says Dickins. "We don't want a refund, we shouldn't have to pay at all. Why do we have to pay New York State to handle the paperwork they created?," she says. Why the changes? Margaret Dickins says they came out of the blue. "This has all started with Commissioner Bernadette Castro," says Dickins. Parks Department Commissioner Berndadette Castro refused any interview with us. Her spokesperson, Wendy Gibson, did send us a statement which says, "we have simply modified the reservation process, the benefit remains the same." It goes on to say, "This was an agency decision that provides more parity among all campers." "They say it's to level off the playing field," says Margaret Dickins. Margaret says it is the handicapped campers that needed the playing field leveled. "I live on $1,300, that's my total income for two people. I've tied up $26.00 for I don't know how long, that is a big deal for me. It may not sound like a lot but with my disability, I can't work," says Margaret Dickins. "Why is New York balancing the budget on the backs of the disabled?," she says. These people came to us because they couldn't get an explanation from the state. We had hoped that with a six million dollar budget for administration, which includes public relations, the Parks Department would do better than a statement, but no one would sit down with us and explain how adding another layer of bureaucracy levels the playing field. __________________ "Don't take life for granted." Animal (may he rest in peace)