This ramp, pictured left, was begun with a phone call in November of 2001. The call was placed by "Jane Doe" in the Village of Pinecrest to the Independent Living Center in Miami at 305-379-9950.

After this picture was taken a complaint to the Village of Pinecrest Building Department was made about the illegal construction at Jane Doe's address. (As well as the illegal Building & Zoning counter height and brochures located so high that short people and people in wheelchairs had no access.)

Jane Doe refused to sign off on the ramp as it had a steep drop off at the end. And many other code violation problems.  We were called to visit the site by Jane Doe. Jane Doe was correct, the ramp had a drop off. Worse, it did not provide her access to her yard or the entrance to the garage where her washer and dryer is located.

I intervened on behalf of Jane Doe. We met with a representative of the Independent Living Center. We formulated a plan that both Jane Doe and I were comfortable with.

The plan was: 

1. Hire a licensed contractor;

2. Apply for a permit at the governing authority;

3. Use concrete;

4. Meet Jane Doe's needs by creating a concrete path to the back yard next to a ramp that left the patio and also ramp the platform to the entrance door to the laundry facilities.

Weeks later, I visited Jane Doe's home, only to find nothing had been done. No contractor had been hired. Jane Doe was in the same situation she was in when she attempted to use a service that was recommended by another home care giver.

Jane Doe's problem began in December, when the home assessment was botched. My recommendations are that all agencies with ramp installation programs do the following:

1. Do a thorough, professional assessment of the real needs of the person at the home;

2. Hire only a licensed contractor;

3. Require the contractor to get the required permit and final inspection;

4. Use concrete if the home is owned by the client or they have proof of a 5 year lease;

5. Have written permission from the property owner if a rental;

6. Make sure that landscaping is done with bushes, plants or another means so that the new ramp is not visible from the street or people who can pass by. ("Jane Doe's home has old ramps at the front door that advertise a person with a wheelchair disability lives here. When the back ramp is finally finished, it must not be visible to the criminal  element.)

7. Have the job done in a timely manner.  Do not let the unfinished structure become an advertisement for the criminal element.

If the above cannot be achieved the agency should get out of the Ramp business.

And the Independent Living Center in Miami?  They need to end Jane Doe's misery ASAP. They also need to stop "brow beating" and raising this woman's anxiety level. They need to finish this home modification to both the satisfaction of Jane Doe and this reporter. (Posted May 25, 2002)