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PRR 9039 9040 Transport at Zoo For Elderly Handicapped... 7 PDF
PRR 9039 9040 Transport at Zoo For Elderly Handicapped... 7 PDF
PRR 9039 9040 Transport at Zoo For Elderly Handicapped... 7 PDF
To:
Subject:
Date:
Rita, Sherri
Dr. Parrott
RE: transport at zoo for elderly, handicapped...
Monday, August 11, 2014 12:33:00 PM
Hi Dr. ParrottI look forward to seeing you this afternoon. In the meantime wanted to
share that SF Zoo map that I found purporting to show an accessible route through its
exhibits, for your consideration.
http://www.sfzoo.org/visit/zoo-map.htm
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Sherri,
When you get to the entrance of the park at Golf Links Rd., tell the cashier that you are here to meet
with me and they will pass you through. Come through the park gate, stay to the right and come up
the hill to the main parking lot. Cross the parking lot and, as you get to the top, there is a large olive
green administration building on the left. That is my office. See you then!
Hi Dr. Parrott--yes, let's plan on 3 on 8/11. Just let me know where/how I can meet up with you.
Thanks!
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