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 1 Law Protects Disabled People — Basic Story

Some people have disabilities. This means that they cannot do some things that other people are able to do.
Sometimes it can be hard for them to do everyday activities.
People with disabilities have the right to go everywhere that anybody else goes. There are laws that make sure
disabled people are treated fairly. Unfortunately not everyone follows these laws.
One law states that people with disabilities must be able to easily get into buildings and other places. This
means that special ramps must be built so people in wheelchairs can get in. It is also said that new things being
built cannot block access to the disabled.
One man feels that he is not being treated fairly. He is in a wheelchair. The people that own the building that he
lives in put a gate up around the complex. The gate blocks the only wheelchair ramp.
The disabled man can no longer easily get to his home. When he wants to get to his house he has to call
someone to let him in. This is frustrating for him. He said that he is going to remove the gate so he can easily
get home.
The owners of the building are not talking about the issue. They said that they are working with their lawyers on
it. Hopefully they will be able to come up with a solution that will be fair for everyone.

 2 Law Protects Disabled People — Full Story

Laws require that people with disabilities have equal access to places and buildings. According to State and
Federal laws any new construction cannot create a barrier to the disabled. One man in Fair Oaks says he's being
kept in his own home and he is not backing down without a fight.
Edward Kemper is confined to a wheel chair and the new gate built around his condominium complex presents
an even bigger problem. The gate runs right across the only wheel chair ramp he needs to get into his home.
Edward urged his homeowner association not to install the gate because it violates the Americans with
Disabilities Act. The gate still went up. Now he has to call someone to let him inside.
A doorknob was put on with no keys issued. Edward already removed the handle on the gate once and now he
is going to remove the whole gate. He is sorry that he has to go to such lengths but he claims it's a battle that
goes beyond his own boundaries saying, "This is not just about me. This is about the ability of the disabled
community, and if we cannot get in, in effect, we are not welcome."
The homeowners' association manager declined to comment but did say they were working with an attorney on
this issue.

 3 complex

a group of homes or apartments

 4 disability

a physical or mental handicap

 5 fair

to treat everyone the same

 6 gate

an opening door in a fence

 7 hard

not easy

 8 house

a place someone lives

 9 law

a rule that everyone must follow

 10 ramp

a slope that wheelchairs can move on

 11 remove

to take away

 12 wheelchair

a chair with wheels that a disabled person uses

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