TV Report Exposes Faulty Lifts At High School Fields
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
November 17, 2006

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON--During the 2000-2001 school year, the Seattle School District spent $20,000 each for lifts to help wheelchair users get to and from sports fields at three high schools.

KING-TV News found that, for the last four years, the lifts have not worked right.

In fact, according to the district's own records, the wheelchair lift at the Nathan Hale High School stadium has not been working since it was installed.

This forces fans in wheelchairs to sit on the sidelines -- often behind the players.

"Just putting in a lift is not a solution if the lift doesn't work," said attorney Lonnie Davis. "There's an obligation to keep it working and to make sure it works the way its supposed to work."

Since KING-5 started asking questions, the district has approved $75,000 to buy new wheelchair lifts at the three stadiums, and hopes to have them installed by the beginning of track season next spring.

Related:
Investigators: Costly wheelchair lifts haven't worked in years (KING-TV)

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Reproduced here under special arrangement with Inclusion Daily Express international disability rights news service.
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