Paying to Assist a Child

Q: My son, who has a disability, attends a gym. His father goes with him as he has personal needs that need attending. The gym wants his father to get a membership even though he is there only to assist my son. Can they make him do that?

A: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not guarantee free or discounted admission to the caregivers of individuals with disabilities. There are times, however, when a person with a disability cannot access goods or services without personal assistance, and a public entity or business may need to consider offering free or discounted admission to ensure equal access. Generally, this will need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.