The settlement over wheelchair seating at the University of Michigan stadium has been one of the more significant accessibility related news stories over the past year. In the spring of 2007 the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans filed suit against the University of Michigan over the fact that few accessible seats were available. Then, earlier this year, the parties settled the case though the minimum requirements set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act were not met.

In any case, a story in the Detroit Free Press indicates that out of the 84 seats to be available this season, only 14 have been sold as season tickets. In addition to giving the university ammunition for its argument that additional accessible seating isn’t needed, the poor ticket sales have also resulted in suggestions that people cut their legs off to get game tickets.

I may be a little slow sometimes and my family might even suggest that I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer. But, I have an idea as to why the tickets for accessible seats aren’t selling. Could it be that all of the arguments and objections by the University led people with disabilities to believe that they really aren’t welcome at the stadium?

Yes, I know, I’m grasping at straws here but it’s a thought. The University repeatedly refused to take steps to correct the problem and only gave in when facing legal action brought by the Paralyzed Veterans and Department of Justice. I don’t know, I take my dollars elsewhere when someone clearly demonstrates they don’t want my business and, this case certainly meets that criteria. I’m always amazed when businesses complain that people with disabilities don’t take advantage of the accessibility features they put in place. Especially when it took dragging the business in to court to make it happen. Yet, if you object, complain and do everything to refuse us access, what do you expect?