Several business in Woodstock were recently informed of complaints filed with the Vermont Human Rights Commission about their lack of access or accommodations for people with disabilities. A meeting will be held tonight at 6pm at the Woodstock History Center (Woodstock Historical Society on Elm Street) to discuss the issue of coming into compliance with American Disability Act (ADA) while maintaining the historic character of Woodstock.
Edward Kopelson, Esq.
Woodstock Early Bird has independently learned that the complaints to the VHRC were made by quadriplegic New Jersey Attorney Edward Kopelson who is confined to a wheelchair. According to his website (www.adadisabilitylawyer.com) he takes on public access and discrimination cases, among others, having served at one time for New Jersey Governor Whitman. Kopelson says that those who use “historical building” as an excuse to deny access don’t know what they’re talking about.
Mr. Kopelson visited Woodstock with his wife late last June saying in his complaint to the Vermont Human Rights Commission (obtained by Woodstock Early Bird) that he left the area “angry and annoyed that I cannot return to this quaint town.” He itemized a list of businesses that had issues that would be a problem under ADA rules. (a post to follow with that list.)
Kopelson said in his general complaint that he stayed at the Woodstock Inn and Resort but was provided with “different terms and service” than had been represented to him. He says that while a van was offered to drive him to area restaurants, its lack of a wheel-chair lift made it impossible for him to gain access to it. At other non-specific locations throughout the Village, Mr. Kopelson says he was denied service.
Specifically the Vermont Human Rights Commission has dealt with at least three cases (with perhaps one more pending) that stem from Mr. Kopelson’s formal complaints against specific businesses:
*One involved Bentley’s Restaurant and its step up at the entrance which Mr. Kopelson says prevented him from entering. The case with Bentley’s was settled by the owner’s attorney Thomas Hayes through a promise to build a small access ramp into the restaurant by June 1st, 2012.
*The second case that has already been reviewed and dealt with by the Vermont Human Rights Commission involves the Prince and the Pauper. The VHRC apparently denied the complaints in a legal “Answer” as the P&P was able to summarize the various ways in which it seeks to actively provide and encourage access to people with disabilities within its old 1800’s-era building. The Prince and the Pauper’s Chris Balcer says over the last 20 years, he and his staff usually host at least one wheelchair bound person a month and there have not been any complaints to date that he can remember.
*The third case involves the Woodstock Inn. Other than the complaint about the lack of accessibility to the van shuttle service, Woodstock Early Bird has not seen any documents regarding the Woodstock Inn complaints with the Vermont Human Rights Commission. We asked the Woodstock Inn’s Werner Graef for more information.
Woodstock Early Bird had heard of one more business having received paperwork related to these ADA access issues but has not seen anything related to the business in documents provided by Mr. Kopelson. Once the Vermont Human Rights Commission makes a decision, those decisions are posted publically on their website.
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 