Terry is a volunteer for a childcare center. He was looking forward to attending a year-end dinner, but was surprised to learn the organizers planned the dinner in an inaccessible second floor dinner hall. The childcare center told him that they would accommodate him and his wheelchair by carrying him up the stairs. Terry insisted this was not a reasonable modification and suggested that the organizers choose a different location. The organizers ignored his request.

Feeling frustrated, Terry called his local ADA specialist and learned about his rights to a reasonable modification. The next day, he shared the information he learned with the childcare center staff. The staff realized their organization had an obligation to provide a reasonable modification and made a change in venue for the celebration. Later, Terry said he felt “empowered” and “grateful”.

Thanks to the ADA, Terry was able to attend a dinner given to celebrate the years of service he and his fellow volunteers provided.