I-Team: Man fights for ADA access

By Jim Taricani
Investigative Reporter
Published: July 18, 2008

TAUNTON, Mass. -- Kenny Cieplik has been in a wheelchair since he was 11, the result of a severe brain hemorrhage.

Like Keith Brandis, of Fall River, Cieplik has a hard time getting into his local post office. (Read related article.)

Even though there is a barrier-free access route to the Taunton post office, there are always roadblocks.

Cieplik's aide said parked cars often block the curb cut in the sidewalk.

Handicapped people like Cieplik have to go in the back door of the building. But Cieplik can't get upstairs into the post office, which he has a right to do, because the freight elevator is off limits.

Taunton's post office, like the one in Fall River, is exempt from federal handicap access laws because it's a historic building.

Post office personnel offer to help the handicapped with their postal needs.

Cieplik and some friends have created a Web site to bring attention to their problems. He urges people to call their congressmen and demand change.