NY parks and the handicapped

[Cloudbringer]

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.

[Cloudbringer]

Ok, guess this is too local and if I want a reply or discussion I need to fill the thread with debates on porn or religion! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Hmm, so I should have posted that all the nude handicapped folk in the campgrounds are mad about their fees and spending their porn-watching time filling out paperwork.... LOL

[ 07-18-2003, 09:50 AM: Message edited by: Cloudbringer ]

[Timber Loftis]

I don't know the specifics of the system, so I can't speak... um, specifically. Anyway, I'll agree that adding bureacracy usually does nothing other than cause economic waste.

But, and you'll forgive me for saying so, if someone's disability prevents them from working, what are they doing going camping?? I mean, WTF? I'm not saying handicapped folks should have limits on their enjoyment of life. I am saying if you can go camping, we probably can find a job you can perform.

[pritchke]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: I don't know the specifics of the system, so I can't speak... um, specifically. Anyway, I'll agree that adding bureacracy usually does nothing other than cause economic waste. But, and you'll forgive me for saying so, if someone's disability prevents them from working, what are they doing going camping?? I mean, WTF? I'm not saying handicapped folks should have limits on their enjoyment of life. I am saying if you can go camping, we probably can find a job you can perform.

I actually agree with Timber here, not knowing the specifics of the system made it difficult to answer.

As for the working it defiantly limits the type of work they can do, but if they still have use of their hands there are still jobs available to them. For example nothing would prevent them from being a lawyer if they went to school for it.

[Melusine]

Tsk tsk Cloudsy, what do you mods tell people who bump their own topics because they haven't received a reply in a day?
Like the others, I know too little about this situation to say anything useful about it. As far as I can tell it's a shame they now have to pay extra. In the majority of the cases, handicapped people carry no blame for the handicaps (I didn't say in all cases, because there's always drunk drivers who get themselves into accidents, etc.) and I feel they shouldn't have to suffer from their handicaps financially.
Timber, you may have a point saying "if she cannot work how can she go camping", but even if you are probably right, we can never really judge this. Some people may be able to save what little energy they have to go camping once a year, if they have someone who helps them with everything. Maybe she's in a caravan (mobile home, for Americans - I think caravan is something else in AmEn) rather than in a tent. Oh and did it actually say she didn't work? Maybe the income she referred to is actually earned with a parttime job or something like that?

[Timber Loftis]

"but with my disability, I can't work."

[Rokenn]

I can think of many cases where someone who is disabled who would be able to go camping and still not be able to work. A quadrapedic is a prime example.

[Melusine]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: "but with my disability, I can't work."

Right, sorry! I thought she didn't have a job too, but then I wondered if it was my own assumption or if it was truly in the article, so I skimmed over it, couldn't find it, and asked.
Still, as Rokenn says, there are thinkable instances of people not being able to work but who are able to take holidays. Not saying that is definitely the case here, just that it's a possibility we can't discard without knowing all the facts.
Edit: Rokenn, I couldn't find the disability you mentioned in the dictionary... do you mean quadraplegic (paralysed in all four limbs)? In that case I agree it would be difficult to go camping but not impossible, if you have someone who can help you with everything and are properly prepared.

[ 07-18-2003, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: Melusine ]

[Cloudbringer]

In the televised version of that they showed the woman and she had alot of trouble moving, used a can or other devices and apparently couldn't stand or sit for long- obviously we can't decide whether she should be working/camping or not! LOL But I was appalled that now the handicapped have to fill out extra paperwork, shell out more money and then try and get back some of it.

It's not as if they have an easy time of it to begin with and I hardly think letting them reserve 0ne or 2 campsites in a park without alot of hassle is bad thing.


LOL Sorry, Mel, but I'm seeing a trend in this forum toward extreme topics and very few simple stories or upbeat ones. Z did say this place was not just to argue extremes, but also for good news or everyday news discussions. My news item was of interest to me, but I wondered if it was too local, which it may be. And I was poking a bit of fun at us all for always posting to the porn/bad priest threads and not the everyday news.

[Rokenn]

Originally posted by Melusine:Edit: Rokenn, I couldn't find the disability you mentioned in the dictionary... do you mean quadraplegic (paralysed in all four limbs)? In that case I agree it would be difficult to go camping but not impossible, if you have someone who can help you with everything and are properly prepared.

Yes, spell check is my friend, but sometimes I forget to call [img]smile.gif[/img]