I am horrified but not surprised at the general response to this situation. The law for very good reason requires that public agencies provide services to all citizens in a manner that reasonably allows their participation
These neighbors of ours were unable to utilize the Lifelong Learning College because of a common problem around here, hearing loss. All they asked was that the LLC provide them with a way to learn along side those of us who do not yet have hearing loss, at a reasonable cost to the Charter School which apparently directly or indirectly gets Federal tax dollars as part of its financing.
If the numbers in the paper of 18,000 students a year are correct, for a mere $4 per person they could have covered the cost of interpreters as needed to help our hearing impaired neighbors. That so many on this forum suggest shunning or actively driving these people away because they just wanted to enjoy the same amenities as I can enjoy is so deplorable it needs to be called out. That it took a lawsuit to even attempt to get sign language interpreters in this situation evidences that the defendants preferred to fight rather than accommodate. I am certain that they spent many many years of the cost of providing the service of interpreters on their legal team.
It would have been so much easier, and reflect a concern for the well being of the hard of hearing had the Rohan, Tutt, et al team when first made aware that deaf Villagers wanted to take courses at the LLC had simply said, yes we will get that done. They seem to have installed handicapped lifts in many of the pools so we know that trying to help all of us can sometimes be a goal that is accomplished.
These 32 plaintiffs did NOT take the LLC away from you. They wanted to be with you. The decision to close the LLC lies entirely with the people who run it who could have easily, years ago, or now provide help to the deaf rather than shut the doors.
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