Wheelchair ramp raises consternation with Olathe HOA 

Apparently the HOA never heard of the Americans with Disability's act, when is a federal law.

That's basically telling them it''s okay to have a member of the family who's handicapped, but don't let anybody else see it because it's shameful. How ridiculous.

Get the ADA involved with this, they have more power than the HOA.

I had to defend a friend of mine a few years ago from HOA bs just like that. They had submitted the form (along with the doctor's notes from the hospital) to put in a "temporary" wheelchair ramp to their front door 2 weeks before his wife was due to be released home. The HOA granted them permission, and we all got to building right away. Most of the neighbors and I helped him construct it, and we ended up completing it in one day. Just in time for her to come home. The next week they came outside to see the ramp cut up and a letter from the HOA board. Apparently they didn't like how big the ramp was (it was only like 25 feet long, which went from the top step down to side of the driveway), and that it was an eyesore for the rest of the neighborhood. When they reviewed their security cameras, they saw members of the HOA the night before park a truck in their driveway get out with saws and sledgehammers. They had cut it up almost to the point where we couldn't repair it. My friend immediately called the police to report tresspassing and property damage! The HOA claimed that they had sent him an email explaining how big the ramp could only be the same time they gave them permission to build it, which they had only sent that information the day before they cut it up. I spoke on their behalf when they took them to court, and said that regardless of all the HOA regulations they were breaking the ADA federal law (which means that as long as you own the property, basically you don't need anyone's permission to make changes to your house to accommodate any health problems you may have) plus the fact that they had destroyed in a few minutes what took us a whole day to make without talking to anyone was completely unnecessary!! The HOA was ordered to paid for all of the damaged materials, stay off the property unless there was a fire or real emergency, and to allow my friends to keep the ramp up as long as they wanted.

This is why I won’t live in an HOA neighborhood.

"HOA's" need to be Outlawed !!!..

Why are homeowners associations even legal? And why do they get all sorts of powers that not even the local government should have?

Years ago a neighbor needed a ramp due to his wife having suffered a stroke. Several of us, his neighbors, helped him design and build the ramp. Living under the "authority" of a HOA is something I'll never consider; not even for a moment. Instead of helping you they actively make things more difficult.

When you have a ramp installed it is because you need one. It is done for function... not fun.

God forbid there be visual signs of disabled persons living in the neighborhood! Geez.....

As a Board of director for my HOA this is one fight that I would never ever instigate. It’s an INSTANT increase in assessments because the D&O insurance premiums will skyrocket when the homeowner sues the shit out of the HOA.

May god, never strike this HOA leader, with a child that is not perfect, this upsets me, people actually complaining about a structure, that helps another human being, live their daily lives, Shame, Shame,Shame

Just want to thank those foster parents for all they do. What great people! Shame others would ever try to do anything other than help :(

ADA has priority over ALL HOA rules..... Sue them in Federal Court.

When are HOAs going to learn that Federal Laws trump their rules and convents?

I've done some dumb things in my life but at least I never moved into a HOA ruled home.

What wonderful, loving people. Taking in ten disabled, fostered and adopted kids. How can any reasonable human being countenance harassing these folks over a simple, necessary wheelchair ramp? It is beyond comprehension.

Many attorneys will take your case pro bono. And believe me, You'll win BIG. Ubder ADA you can tell Don and the HOA to stuff it.

I’m curious to know what happened in the end with this HOA all bent out of shape over a much needed ramp?

When I drive past a home with a ramp all I think are good thoughts cause I know that person has to push a little harder than everybody else everyday. And I admire that. They should be proud to have this ramp in their neighborhood

Using the garage isn't enough room with a wheelchair. This is a ADA violation. Contact the Justice Department and find a ADA Attorney. Also a expert witness like a Architect is available in these cases.

When HOAs put property values over personal needs☹️

The fact that they’re required to hide the ramp with additional landscape goes to show that the HOA doesn’t respect the Disabled! May those board members of the HOA & every neighbor who found the sight of a decently built ramp be subjected to a lifetime of wheelchair needs or members of their household so that they could feel how, “Disability needs overrides curb appeal!”

Just find a lawyer that will sent notice to the HOA the ADA is a law that rarely if ever loses in court and this ramp would very easily be judged a reasonable accommodation.

I'm disabled only got 1leg I had to spend 8yrs 6months in a wheelchair so I know what it's like to have to like to use one I'm lucky that I was able to regain the ability to walk again this be my second year learning how to walk again so don't let anyone push you around don't give up do what you have to do for your kid

The HOA needs to stand up for this family. It's the right thing to do. They can make an exception to any rule that would prohibit this. They have the power to do the right thing.

FHA and ADA both have language, that makes any HOA opinion on the ramp void - period. And you don't have to take it down, if you move either. While there are laws that allow/protect such covenants, FHA and ADA are strict an clear - even the part about HOA opinion on the ramp; if they don't agree on the design, they cannot burden the homeowner with the additional cost - period. All lawyers should know this...

The government needs to outlaw home owner’s associations.

Another reason to NEVER live in a hoa district!

This is so appalling. We grew up next door to our neighborhood’s HOA President, and he made life a living hell for my family. Can’t even imagine how they must be feeling.

HOAs have gotten out of control! Mine called me late at night saying I need to install a doggy door on my front and back door. I dont even have pets

Why would anyone want a hoa they are too controlling

HOA’s are jokes. You buy a home and someone else decides how you live. You pay but what do you receive in return.

Ridiculous that a group of people can tell someone with a handicapped child to not do what is necessary to help their child.

Imagine having grown men and women telling a child bound to a wheelchair that they’re not allowed to have a ramp to get into their own home....

I have a ramp. Fortunately I don't have an HOA. Their time will come. Some people have to learn the hard way. It is a beautiful ramp.

ADA are the strongest law in the world for protection of persons with disabilities.

That's a violation of the fair housing act if I've ever heard one

I love living in our HOA community, but I realize some are just terrible. When I see what some people go through it’s mind blowing. I hope that things work out for them.

Ramp is fine, HOA needs to move along.

Fair housing act, take them to court on their dime

- Accessibility does not equal 'home improvement'. Seems there's a disconnect with logic here. -

I've watched a bunch of HOA videos recently and this is the best produced by far. I hate the "JOHN AND JANE HAD A SHED IN THEIR BACKYARD" reporter voice every 30 seconds. I just need the actual homeowners explaining the issue with the reporter questions not in audio. So thank you

Shame on this HOA. They are in violation of ADA. A ramp is not an improvement for two reasons. 1 - it is a necessity! 2 - Ramps do not add to the value, many time it decreases it. My father was part of the President Committee for the Handicap which brought so many changes for the disabled we take for granted. My father was in a wheelchair for years due to illness. This family is precious, caring and loving this beautiful boy. Bless them.

I would never buy a house in a HOA . I feel for you .

It doesn't make sense to put bushes in front of the ramp. Bushes will hold moisture against the wood thus making the wood rot even faster. Then when it comes time to replace rotted out pieces, the stupid bushes will be in the way making it harder to reconstruct the damaged areas. What is so horrible about having a ramp to the front door? "Oh no, we can't let any one know a handicapped person lives here!" Please , don't buy houses in an HOA neighborhood, they will govern your lives worse than the government already does.

Tell Don Payne to shove it and refer him to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Sue him personally and the HOA for emotional stress and lawyers fees as well as the lien on the house. It will take time but you will win. You do NOT have to ask ANY HOA for permission to build a ramp for the disabled on you house. I hope this costs everyone in the HOA a small fortune so they learn their lesson.

This is unbelievable 🤯🤯🤯

, y'all need to keep this in mind somebody on the H O A decided to dedicate all their free time to police you and tell you what you can do on your private property think about what kind of person that is

WTF... HOA's are straight up heartless.

I can't get my head around the idea of someone telling me what to do with my own property , thank god these are rare in the uk.

These are amazing people that should not be treated that way, shame on the HOA. May God bless this couple and their family

Thats what happens when you buy an HOA

ADA will eat them alive. Get a shark lawyer and sue the hell out of them.

This family is a blessing.

How can a homeowners association be that heartless

how did HOA get this power over you unless you signed it over them when you bought the house?

HOA = Gestapo!

I would file a disability discrimination lawsuit and have their papers served

The simple solution is not to move into HOA houses.

easy solution... don't live in a HOA....

🤬 It's completely out of the ordinary, you don't have to "camouflage" the fact that a person with a disability lives here, it can actually also affect a person from the HOA.😡

I was an engineering dept. manager with a major rapid transit district. I was the company rep on our civilian ADA advisory board. I can't think of a single instance where ADA rules/requirements do not override local, regional or state codes. And I guarantee you that includes HOAs. In this case I would suggest to the HOA that THEY hire a landscaper to improve the view from the street. It would be significantly cheaper than a legal battle.

I agree with the HOA this family needed to consult with the HOA to make sure it was ok they didn't do it too sad

Deaf, blind, cerebral palsy, 70 pounds, can't hold head up, broken arm, helmet, wheelchair bound.... The real story is that this poor kid wasn't euthanized. We treat dogs better.

I just can’t get over how incredibly huge all the houses are when they did that drive by scene. Plus they all had massive lawns, Is that normal for America?

This and other HOA horror stories is the reason why I refuse to buy a home in an HOA. Lived in 2 so far and both were experiences.

You shouldn't have to get approval to get something like this done! As long it was constructed within codes and is not an eye sore which this one isn't, then everybody else needs to keep their nose out of this family's business and let them do their thing! God Bless this couple for saving so many children! The HOA needs to stay out of this!!!!!!!!

Is there any update to this story on the ramp within this HOA property? Does anyone have any update information?

What a disgrace. Praying for you all.

People need to start suing homeowners associations for devaluing their property. All you need is one certified letter from somebody saying that they're not going to buy your house because of the over burden of the HOA and you have a valid lawsuit.

This is heartbreaking

Handicap people have rights. Isn't what the HOA doing to them against the law? Look for help and sock it to them. You are great people raising handicap kids isn't easy,. I have two of my own. Not physically but mentally handicapped. So life is more of a challenge, but definitely worth it. Would like to know what happened in the end. Good Luck and God Bless people like you!

Over time, homeowners associations become staffed by the most petty and power-hungry people in the neighborhood. These are the people who love to control others. That's why they join the homeowners association. If there ever was anybody good on the homeless Owners Association, they have probably quit so they wouldn't have to deal with these horrible people.

A lien against your house because you don't have a bricked in mailbox?

It isn't an "improvement being made". It is a "reasonable accommodation" for an individual with a disability.

Does ANYONE know what ultimately happened? I sure wish they’d link to an update if there is one!

Anybody got any updates on this?

This HOA is just like-- let's go after the people, who are doing more good in this world than we ever will, just because we can. This is crazy.

A complaint filed AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL (ADA) should bring the HOA into compliance with the law.

I do not I've qn HOA but the HOA in this situation is NOT saying they can not have a ramp but that the couple had to put the plans in to the HOA before building the ramp which they did not do, and the CC&Rs require you to do. So after the ramp was built the HOA came back and said landscape in front of it, not that they had to take the ramp down. I think that is a good compromise seeing as though the HOA could require them to take it down if it did not meet HOA standards. It does look like a pretty solid well built ramp that is not bad looking so they should learn there lesson and just put landscaping in front of it. The HOA should also take the lean off the property for the mailbox, it has been remedied.

That’s absolutely horrible what they’re doing to these people. No compassion. Harassment.

Power corrupts; abolute power courrupts absolutely.

What's wrong with people!?!? Live and let live!!!!

They should have that ramp. Back in 2012 that I broke my left ankle from a bad car accident. The first day it was hard to get in the house. My father and his friend built the ramp on the front porch and a little one from the driveway to the front porch. It was so much easier to transport me in the wheelchair on it. I still had to get off the wheelchair inside the house to the outside by using the walker. The ramp is still up since a new family had moved into the house. Both of my parents are gone. I do missed seeing them.

Looks great to me God Bless you and yours!

Never live in an HOA controlled area. So many disturbing stories about them.

You signed the agreement....you gave them the power

The house with the handicap ramp was the most architecturally pleasing.

The American people are praying for you and your children!!!!! This is wrong!!! God bless you and your family!!!!

How could a ramp not being allowed. How? Why ? What a shame.

Omg that means they can never be forever homes Couse we all get old an need ramps that's disturbing big hugs good luck There hartless

They cannot do that. ADA needs to be called in.

Anyone know what became of this?

In a separate news the church announced they been looking for an excuse to use up all the wood that has been sitting in their warehouse, so they ended up building the largest ramp in the world.

I make the same comment on all HOA videos... Get as many people as you will need to vote the current board out from the HOA and then install new members that will immediately disband the HOA!

The total violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act

Absolutely get the ADA involved and turn the situation around against the hoa! Is their offices ADA compliant?

Good Lord, break the jaws of the evil people causing this family strife and harm. Amen🙏🏼

The brick mailbox is illegal if it's along the road. The US postmaster has laws in place that say mailbox mountings have to be breakaway. That's Federal law, that trumps any busybody HOA.