Comments on: Stairs are done http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done Life in the 'ham Tue, 22 May 2012 06:52:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Susie http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12960 Susie Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:26:04 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12960 As far as I'm aware, when major renovations are done such as those to the steps, they are required to make them handicapped accessible (such as a ramp). If they don't want to do so (for historical reasons or whatever), they are requried to get a variance. The town has not gotten a variance from the Architectural Access Board to avoid the need for handicapped accessibility. I guess this means the town is in non-compliance. As far as I’m aware, when major renovations are done such as those to the steps, they are required to make them handicapped accessible (such as a ramp). If they don’t want to do so (for historical reasons or whatever), they are requried to get a variance. The town has not gotten a variance from the Architectural Access Board to avoid the need for handicapped accessibility. I guess this means the town is in non-compliance.

]]> By: Ginger http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12957 Ginger Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:23:45 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12957 I should have added-with the height of those steps, a ramp at the front of the building built to the proper grade would probably either extend out into the street or block the stairs. I don't think there are any other doors where a ramp would be feasible either. It would probably block the sidewalk. Correct me if I'm wrong, however. I'm just picturing the building in my mind. I should have added-with the height of those steps, a ramp at the front of the building built to the proper grade would probably either extend out into the street or block the stairs. I don’t think there are any other doors where a ramp would be feasible either. It would probably block the sidewalk. Correct me if I’m wrong, however. I’m just picturing the building in my mind.

]]> By: Ginger http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12956 Ginger Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:15:57 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12956 I believe ADA regulations only apply to new construction. The Dept of Justice handles accessibility standards for existing buildings and their guidelines are not as stringent. A ramp is probably not required if an elevator exists, even if it's old and the area is dark and cold. However, if the elevator only operates sporadically, that's a bigger problem! I had a good friend who was quadraplegic and I've seen how difficult it can be to get into older buildings. I believe ADA regulations only apply to new construction. The Dept of Justice handles accessibility standards for existing buildings and their guidelines are not as stringent. A ramp is probably not required if an elevator exists, even if it’s old and the area is dark and cold. However, if the elevator only operates sporadically, that’s a bigger problem!

I had a good friend who was quadraplegic and I’ve seen how difficult it can be to get into older buildings.

]]> By: Chris http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12949 Chris Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:15:20 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12949 I'm not handicapped, and the fact that the main town offices have no ramp is completely unconscionable to me. I would think the ADA should be notified if they haven't already. I thought there were laws for this? It really is an outrage. I’m not handicapped, and the fact that the main town offices have no ramp is completely unconscionable to me. I would think the ADA should be notified if they haven’t already. I thought there were laws for this? It really is an outrage.

]]> By: Susie http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12940 Susie Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:18:26 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12940 CherG - I agree with you. One thing that bothers me is that when a major renovation like this is completed, they are supposedly REQUIRED to provide handicapped accessibility. Did the town not do what they were supposed to? As a Framingham resident and taxpayer, I'm not happy. CherG - I agree with you. One thing that bothers me is that when a major renovation like this is completed, they are supposedly REQUIRED to provide handicapped accessibility. Did the town not do what they were supposed to? As a Framingham resident and taxpayer, I’m not happy.

]]> By: CherG http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12936 CherG Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:06:24 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12936 Susie - Unfortunately, that building is not very accessible. There is 1 very old elevator in the back of the building that is very hard to get to that has a large bump that you have to go over to get into a little dark unheated dungeon type elevator waiting area. Then, you need to pray that elevator is functioning that day. It's VERY sad that a ramp/accessibility wasn't part of the new stair construction. Susie - Unfortunately, that building is not very accessible. There is 1 very old elevator in the back of the building that is very hard to get to that has a large bump that you have to go over to get into a little dark unheated dungeon type elevator waiting area. Then, you need to pray that elevator is functioning that day. It’s VERY sad that a ramp/accessibility wasn’t part of the new stair construction.

]]> By: Susie http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12935 Susie Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:09:23 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12935 The new stairs look great but I don't see any handicapped accessibility. Are they trying to keep people with disabilties out? The new stairs look great but I don’t see any handicapped accessibility. Are they trying to keep people with disabilties out?

]]> By: Lance Brown http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12934 Lance Brown Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:27:17 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12934 Noticed the new stairs last night going into the AF Concert. Noticed the new stairs last night going into the AF Concert.

]]> By: Rev.Bob Baril http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12933 Rev.Bob Baril Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:39:36 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/stairs-are-done#comment-12933 I agree! The new Memorial Building stairs and the new Main St. bridge are big PLUSSES for Framingham! Both look really nice. And, yes, it IS nice to see those old Shopper's World Wooden Soldiers! I also wish downtown could be more of a destination. Other than CVS, I don't buy much downtown, either. I agree! The new Memorial Building stairs and the new Main St. bridge are big PLUSSES for Framingham! Both look really nice. And, yes, it IS nice to see those old Shopper’s World Wooden Soldiers! I also wish downtown could be more of a destination. Other than CVS, I don’t buy much downtown, either.

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