Politics & Government

Village Declines to Purchase Mobi-Chair

With delays to the construction of a controversial handicap ramp, the decision not to use the Mobi-Chair means no handicap access to Graydon this year.

Ridgewood officials have declined to purchase a floating beach chair for persons with disabilities, telling residents it just wasn't a good fit. With construction of a handicap ramp not expected until after the summer, it means another season without accessibility at Graydon Pool.

The village has been using the "Mobi Chair" on a trial basis for a month at Graydon Pool and had budgeted the purchase of two chairs (for under $2,000). No one used the chair during the trial run, Parks and Recreation Director Tim Cronin said.

"We don't feel it would be a useful piece of equipment to the level we would want it to be," he said. According to Cronin, the Mobi-Chair is too wide for the existing ramps. Construction to the perimeter wall would be needed to create an access point, he said.

The proposed handicap ramp – debated for several years – will not be built until spring or fall and the Mobi-Chair may not fit, according to design specifications, officials said.

Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser said the plan is to have a wheelchair that is compatible with water to switch handicap residents out of at the end of to use the manmade lake.

Members of grassroots group Preserve Graydon Coalition (PGC) expressed anger at the decision to not buy the Mobi-Chair.

"Are we or are we not interested in accessibility?" asked Marcia Ringel, co-chair of PGC. "I see a great big 'H' on the wall – and that's hypocrisy."

Officials on Wednesday did not rule out purchasing the chair in future years should circumstances change.


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