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“Our veterans deserve nothing less”. Problems at RI Veterans Home. New State Response
On February 18th, the Italian American War Veterans of Rhode Island has taken the dramatic step of filing a federal ADA complaint against the state of Rhode Island for ADA violations in the “new” RI Veterans Home.
The primary two issues are:
1. Automatic door openers not installed on exit doors as required by ADA
2. Egress violations on emergency doors exits in cottages.
In part, the complaint notes that “Director Yarn {Director of Veterans Affairs for RI – Kasim Yarn} has known of these violations since the opening of the facility in 2017. He responded, in writing to residents’ concerns back in July” noted John Cianci, Italian American War Veterans of US (ITAM-RI), Department Commander. “Our military doctrine is to ‘leave no man behind’, and here, with the current situation, if not rectified immediately, and an emergency occurs at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, we could be leaving people behind,” said Cianci.
Cianci takes this quest personally, having lost a fraternity brother in the Rhode Island Station Fire, whose anniversary was recognized a few days ago. “I must do everything in my power to protect my brothers and sisters residing at the veterans’ home.”
Big John
“Big John,” as he’s known around the home, has a wheelchair that’s too wide to fit through the outside doorways near his living area, meaning he has to travel about 150 yards, he estimates, through multiple hallways to exit sliding doors at the front of the facility. The distance, John Leonard told Target 12, has made him consider alternative options in the event of a fire. Larger sized wheelchairs are common in nursing homes. Leonard said he knew this was a problem on day one, when everyone came in the front entrance, and he had to come in the back door.
The story, done by Eli Sherman and Tim White for WPRI-Ch. 12
WPRI has done several stories on problems at the Veterans Home, from curtailing of meals for family visitors, to smoking regulations, to the door and safety issues.The video shows pooling rusted water in whirlpools which have not been used in three years. There are six units at a total cost of $10,000, which are unusable. The video also shows the main “Galley” dining room, which is not used by residents, but by “outside groups” who reserve it for outside functions, but without paying rental fees. Residents, instead, eat in 6 “neighborhood kitchens”. They do not get to dine together in a large group or come together for functions in The Galley.
WPRO’s Tara Granahan has been continuously covering this problem with regular updates and interviews about the specifics of what needs to be repaired, noting larger sized wheelchairs that could not get through doorways that were built too narrowly, and even regular sized wheelchairs that can only exit by backing out. In an attempt to get a response from the Governor or anyone at the state it was said that no one could speak about this on her radio program in an official capacity. On Friday she reported that a recent emergency in construction at the Eleanor Slater Hospital resulted in a no bid contract being issued by the Governor due to the urgency.
Facebook group – Friends of Rhode Island Veterans Home
Mr. Cianci has started a Facebook group to share information (https://www.facebook.com/groups/2597657593657545/) which has over 150 members. Members are being updated and encouraged to take action, by writing or calling. The most recent note encourages members to contact the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, providing contact information.
The Facebook page has a video dramatically showing the problem with the doors:
Builders
At the ribbon-cutting, the Peregrine Group, a veteran-owned, Rumford-based contracted, “led the design and construction of the project on behalf of the state. Brewster Thornton Group Architects, a Providence-based women-owned enterprise, designed the new home, and Gilbane Construction served as the project’s construction manager.” RINewsToday reached out by phone for comment to Colin Kane, of the Peregrine Group, and Nathaniel Ginsburg, partner of Brewster Thornton Group Architects. As of today, we have not received comment.
State of Rhode Island
According to Cianci, RI Veterans Dept. Director Yarn’s office response via email to him was “We are aware of the issue…and will likely be completed within the next year”. Cianci maintains Yarn’s office has known about the situation for “about 3 years”. He calls the response “Unacceptable. Federal funds were used to construct this facility. I am bewildered during the commissioning of this facility that these ADA requirements were not documented. Federal contractors are required to meet all federal, state, and ADA requirements.”
Cianci says Yarn’s department has access to funds to make the repairs, in restricted and construction accounts specifically for the Rhode Island Veterans Home.
“Also, according to the residents at the facility, they have never done fire drills. A state-owned facility should have records of fire drills and inspections. At a recent federal inspection in November, the home was written up on issues related to the fire suppression system, and the state responded to that deficiency”, said Cianci. “ITAM is submitting an APRA request for all fire drills and inspections. We will leave no stone unturned to help our brothers and sisters at the home. I researched the state’s RFPs, and I do not see any RFP for bidding on these safety issues. With no RFPs, I have my doubts any corrective actions have been initiated.”
Cianci said, “May I suggest to Director Yarn that he contact the State House facilities manager, and maybe he can assist in taking immediate action – just like what was done for the mold issue recently reported in the JCLS offices of the Speaker of the House. Let us not have another tragedy like the Station Fire at our Veterans home.”
To contact veteran John A Cianci (860) 931-4711 [email protected]
Ribbon Cutting
On November 11, 2017 a ribbon cutting was held at the RI Veterans Home, presided over by Governor Raimondo. She noted that “over 16 major trades have contributed to building this beautiful new home for our honored Veterans, and the pride in their work is evident in every detail.” Calling the facility “a state-of-the-art facility that reaffirms our commitment to ensuring a high quality of life after their (the veterans) service. I’m proud that Rhode Island is now leading the way in recognizing the sacrifice of those who’ve served our great nation. Our veterans deserve nothing less.”
UPDATE: RI Veterans Dept responds to RINewsToday
A written response to our request to Kasim Yarn for information regarding this story, came last night in an email from Michael Jolin:
“Here’s our statement regarding the work we are doing to increase the width of some of the doors at the RI Veterans Home:
The door widths are ADA compliant and passed State building and fire marshal inspections before the building was occupied. In addition, the RI Veterans Home was subject to design approval by the State and by federal VA prior to construction and design was approved. However, as soon as the State became aware there was a need for enhancement, a work plan was pulled together to address it. We are currently working with the original architectural and engineering firm to design, bid and oversee the project.
RINewsToday will update this story as progress continues.
Veterans enjoy PGA Foundation activity.
