Identify and explain why this situation is an ethical dilemma.
Equal Access for Everyone?
You are the new director in charge of children’s programming at public parks and recreation facility in Springville, a mid-size town in a southern state. Springville offers a variety of recreational programs for children including swimming lessons, gymnastics, sports leagues, theater, summer camp, and after school day care.
In April, Amanda Green approaches you requesting that her daughter would be enrolled in the summer day camp. Mrs. Green tells you, “Tracy is eight years old and loves to be outdoors. And, by the way, she has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. She also uses a communication board and has a slight cognitive delay. She’s never been to camp before, but I’d like her to have the same opportunity to attend as her older brother, Sam, who doesn’t have a disability.”
You are caught off guard by Mrs. Green’s request, yet you reply to her as you would to any parent, “Please fill out this registration card and camper information form. I’ll respond to you as soon as I can.” To yourself you think, “Mrs. Green is very cordial, but I sense she could cause trouble if her request isn’t met!”
The day camp facility is not architecturally accessible. In fact, in the past the agency has used environmental barriers as an excuse not to serve participants with disabilities at camp. You are aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act, however, and the right that participants with disabilities have to architectural and programmatic access in recreational activities. You personally support the spirit of the law, but don’t have much experience accommodating people with disabilities. Based on the agency’s track record, you suspect your agency would prefer to avoid the whole issue- even though the published mission statement says the agency does not discriminate on the basis of ability.
Camp begins mid-June. You think there is sufficient time to work out the details to accommodate Tracy at camp, but how do you go about accomplishing this without much experience and amid a history of resistance at the agency?
Questions
Identify and explain why this situation is an ethical dilemma.
What are Mrs. Green’s and Tracy’s rights in this situation?
What recourse would they have if the request to attend camp were denied?
How will you present this matter to your supervisor?
What levels of the agency should be involved in the decision to allow Tracy to attend camp?
How will you respond to Mrs. Green?
What accommodations and adaptations could be made for Tracy so she could participate as fully as possible?
How could you go about gathering information about the supports Tracy would need?
What would you do to make sure Tracy is included physically and socially at camp?
What training would you provide the camp staff about including Tracy in the program?
How will you respond to staff that don’t think Tracy should be allowed to come to camp?
What implications might this case have on the agency’s policies and procedures in the future?
Paper format:
12 font Times New Roman
1” margin for all four sides
At least three pages in double space
No cover page is required
Type your name, course name, and type “Ethical Dilemma” in the upper right corner of the first page before start typing your answers.
You have to support rational reasons regarding your answers
Type ONLY your answers following question orders, otherwise, you will be penalized.
Ex) 1. Kitchen problem ….
I think he was the right person because….
Answer preview to identify and explain why this situation is an ethical dilemma.
APA
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