Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

Several years ago, Michael Anderson, a Pennsylvania man with cerebral palsy, was forced to pay a dual fee for entrance to a local museum because he required a paid personal-care aide to accompany him. Michael’s case required him to pursue legal action, and a judge ruled in his favor. The ruling concluded that gratis admission for Michael’s aide was consistent with a reasonable accommodation under the ADA.
 
Many Pennsylvanians have the freedom to visit a museum, attend a concert for their favorite band, or go to a sports game and cheer on their favorite team. However, this is not always the case for individuals who require care. These individuals require assistance from a personal care attendant. Thus, if they wish to enter a museum or attend a concert that requires paid admission, these persons with disabilities often must also pay for the admission of their personal care attendant, paying double the price of admission to experience these activities. This burden is a barrier to access and should be removed. 
 
Our legislation will amend the PA Human Relations Commission Act to require public accommodations to waive admission fees for personal care attendants whose attendance is necessary to enable individuals who require care to attend events. The personal care attendant would either sit with the person who needs care or be given a place nearby. This simple allowance opens these museums, concerts, and public accommodations for persons often marginalized in our society, and it is the right thing to do.  This legislation is being redrafted to incorporate these changes in the existing Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Act instead of a stand-alone bill.
 
Please join us in breaking unnecessary barriers and expanding entertainment, cultural, and social accessibility to all Pennsylvanians by co-sponsoring this bill.
 
Michael’s Story: “I’m disabled. The law says I deserve access to venues, so why do they charge me double?”