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Dr. Parrott
Rita, Sherri
RE: transport at zoo for elderly, handicapped...
Saturday, August 02, 2014 9:48:34 AM
Hi Sherri.
I am off 8/4, but I could show you around at 3:00 on 8/11. Does that work for you? Probably an hour
should do it, unless you want to feed the giraffe...
-----Original Message----From: Rita, Sherri [mailto:SRita@oaklandnet.com]
Sent: Friday, August 01, 2014 12:18 PM
To: Dr. Parrott
Subject: RE: transport at zoo for elderly, handicapped...
Thank you Dr. Parrott--do either 8/4, anytime, or 8/11 after 2:30 look like possibilities?
About how much time do you think we should allocate? Just so I know how much time to block off.
Looking forward to it!
Sherri L. Rita, J.D.
Acting ADA Projects Coordinator | ADA Programs Division City of Oakland | Public Works One Frank H.
Ogawa Plaza, 3rd Floor Oakland, CA 94612
510-238-6919 (voice) 510-238-2007 (TTY)
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-----Original Message----From: Dr. Parrott [mailto:drparrott@oaklandzoo.org]
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 5:15 PM
To: Rita, Sherri
Subject: FW: transport at zoo for elderly, handicapped...
Hi Sherry. Here is the message I sent to Alice.
I look forward to your visit!
-----Original Message----From: Dr. Parrott
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 3:26 PM
To: 'Alice Ansfield'
Subject: RE: transport at zoo for elderly, handicapped...
Alice,
I checked with my staff to confirm our understanding and our policy, and it was accurate.
We take ADA very seriously, not because it is required,, but because our guests need the service and it
is the right thing to do. Accessible pathways are helpful for wheelchairs, walkers, any mobility
problems, and strollers.
We inherited a zoo from the city of Oakland in 1982 that had non-accessible pathways, and a zoo that
was constructed in the hills. We could not change the terrain, so we worked with the city and federal
consultants to make the zoo accessible to anyone with mobility problems. Our solution fell to two
primary commitments: all new future construction pathways would meet all ADA slope and railing
requirements; existing steep pathways would be made accessible with two free electric carts. This has
worked well so far.
The implementation of this needed to be practical and achievable. As a result, we simply ask that
guests in need of transportation help us by scheduling ahead of time. We cannot be expected to have
a full-time staff member ready and available every day, ready to drive a person with mobility needs at
any given moment. We do not charge for this service, and the carts can carry the entire family (up to
five). I am going to re-evaluate the length of time (2-3 weeks) required for that prior notice, in order
to reduce the amount of time advance notice is required. Hopefully, this will make it more available to
the general public.
Wheelchair rentals is another story. We were pulled by our insurance company from offering a
wheelchair rental program, much like you might see at Disney (Disney is flat terrain). Our insurance
carrier would not provide liability coverage for this service, due to the liability risk of someone pushing a
wheelchair in the hills, and losing control of the wheelchair going downhill. This would jeopardize the
individual in the wheelchair as well as any guest that might get hit. Motorized wheelchairs can also
injure guests.
We currently take a risk with our free electric carts. We had a driver transporting a guest with MS. The
driver inadvertently hit another guest on the pathway during a very crowded day. We were then sued
by the guest IN THE CART with MS, due to the stress the accident caused, even though it was a
courtesy handicap shuttle and the guest in the cart suffered no injury. This risk of injury litigation with
our electric carts is a risk our insurance carrier has allowed us to assume.
I hope this Is helpful. Please feel free to phone me at 510-632-9525 x 172 if you would like to discuss
this further. Again, I can assure you that we believe deeply in making sure the zoo remains accessible
to anyone that would like to visit.
Joel Parrott, President/CEO
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