After months of trying, USPS agrees to install handicap accessible door at Adel Post Office
Access is something we all want and what most of us easily get in public spaces. Robert Fisher says he can't get the access he needs to his local post office in Adel.
Fisher's motorized wheelchair takes him virtually everywhere, up and down the sidewalks in Adel and to and from home. But they stop at the front door of the post office.
Normally, he calls the post office, and someone opens the door to let him in, but when he called while vlog Investigates was there with him, no one answered.
So, brute strength was his only option, holding the door with his hand, propping it open with his feet and driving his wheelchair into the vestibule.
"It's demeaning for people in wheelchairs to have to do that," he said after coming back outside.
Fisher wants a handicap-accessible automatic door that's commonly found in public places with a button to open it. Fisher has been pushing for one since last February, trying to work with the United States Postal Service and the building's owner to get one installed.
was filed with Progress Iowa, and Fisher filed a complaint with the .
"Every time I come here, it bothers the hell out of me to not see it done," Fisher said.
vlog Investigates called USPS, who said the door is currently in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA does not require push-button doors.
"We are taking measures to install a push button handicap access entry," USPS said in part to vlog Investigates after we called to explain Fisher's situation.
"Let's see if they open up to it," Fisher said. "Let's see if it happens."
USPS Full Statement:
The USPS is subject to the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (ABA) rather than the more recent Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and power operated doors are not required by either statute.
USPS does have standards for the maximum push/pull force for manual doors (8.5 pounds for exterior doors and 5 pounds for interior doors).
Customers who have questions or concerns with facility accessibility should contact their local Postmaster. It may be possible to adjust the doors to ease operation, or other accommodations may be made to ensure that all customers have reasonable opportunity to obtain postal products and services.
It may also be of interest to know that the Postal Service offers a number of convenient options that can save customers a trip to the Post Office. For instance, customers can buy stamps online through our website at , by phone at 1-800-STAMP24. Our Click-N-Ship service on enable customers to print shipping labels with postage for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express and some locations provide Package Pickup service upon request. Customers can also place their mail on hold, file a change-of address order, or request that redelivery of an item for which a notice was left by calling 1-800-ASKUSPS or visiting
However, we are taking measures to install a push button handicap access entry, as well.