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Commending the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) for issuing guidance, affirming that waiving admission fees for personal care assistants at public and commercial properties is an important reasonable accommodation and recognizing the work of Michael Anderson of The Arc of Philadelphia for his successful advocacy.
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WHEREAS, Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) prohibit discrimination because of disability in places of public accommodation; and
WHEREAS, Many people with disabilities rely on personal care assistants (PCAs), direct support professionals, and home health aides to participate safely and meaningfully in community life; and
WHEREAS, When a person with a disability must pay for a second ticket for the attendant they need to attend a public event, they effectively pay twice the price of admission that others pay for the same experience; and
WHEREAS, Michael Anderson has been working for over 13 years to convince public accommodation in Pennsylvania to stop discriminating against people with disabilities by charging PCAs for their admission, beginning with the filing of his successful lawsuit against The Franklin Institute; and
WHEREAS, Legislation known as “Michael’s Law” has been introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly to ensure that venues such as museums, theaters, sports arenas, and amusement parks do not charge an additional admission fee for a necessary care partner; and
WHEREAS, In June 2026, the PHRC approved Personal Care Assistant Guidance clarifying how it will interpret the PHRA when evaluating reasonable accommodation requests involving the admission of PCAs accompanying individuals with disabilities at public accommodations and commercial properties; and
WHEREAS, The guidance explains that free admission for a PCA will in many circumstances be reasonable accommodation, subject to an entity’s ability to show undue hardship or a fundamental alteration of its program; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is home to museums, cultural institutions, stadiums, theaters, and attractions that are central to civic life, tourism, and education, and the City has a strong interest in ensuring that residents and visitors with disabilities can enjoy them on equal terms; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Recognizes and commends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission for approving its Personal Care Assistant Guidance and for its continued work to uphold the civil rights of people with disabilities.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be sent to The Arc of Philadelphia for their continued advocacy around supporting individuals with disabilities.
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