Gabrielle Conklin University of Florida EEX 3093: Exceptional People in School and Society Dr. Emery June 7, 2024 ADA Adaptations - Kuketz v. Petronelli Facts The plaintiff in the 2005 case entitled Kuketz v. Petronelli was Stephen B. Kuketz. Kuketz has been paraplegic since 1991. In 1995, Kuketz became a nationally-ranked wheelchair racquetball player. Just before this, he joined the Brockton Athletic Club where he hoped to participate in the highest level of competition in the club’s racquetball league. He subsequently submitted the request to join the men’s “A” league and paid a large fee. However, this request was denied and club manager, Roselyn Petronelli, gave alternatives. The reason for this denial was due to the rule change that Kuketz required. He needed the accommodation of being able to hit the ball after 2 bounces, instead of the official rule of one bounce for “footed players”. Kuketz claimed this was a violation of ADA Title III, Public Accommodations. This title…show more content… The nature of Kuketz’s disability meant that he utilized a wheelchair for mobility. As stated in the early facts of this case, safety concerns were vocalized in relation to the participants. If Kuketz were to have a different disability, such as one where he could walk, this case would have been very different. The judge may have decided that the wheelchair was part of the game when they decided that the fundamental nature would be changed by allowing Kuketz in the “A” league. The second identity factor that could have contributed to the case outcome was Kuketz’s lived experience. He was a nationally ranked racquetball player, meaning that he was qualified to play based on skill in the “A” league. I believe that this case would not have made it to the Superior Court if Kuketz was not as
