20220328Comments (1)_1.pdf

Public Utilities Commission,
I am reporting unjust and unreasonable behavior against Karen Erickson by ldaho Power that I
witnessed on 2125122 at 311 Almond, Caldwell, lD.
I am aware that Karen has requested and been denied ADA provisions for many years. The ADA is a
Federal Law and I witnessed an ldaho Power Representative ignore her ADA request, her request
for an ADA coordinator as well as her request for access to communication with ldaho Power as
literally every way they HAVE communicated with her is NOT ACCESSIBLE to her.
As the Public Utilities Commission I expect and you should be concerned about public safety and
access including and especially disability discrimination by ldaho Utilities, Violations of State Law
by Public Utilities and Violations of Federal Law by Public Utilities.
Withholding essential public services, !ike public utilities, from disabled adults is dangerous,
illegal, unfair and unjust. Please investigate this situation with Karen Ericsson and ldaho Power.
This is NO HUMANE WAY for a disabled elder to live.
! am writing in support of Karen Erickson obtaining an emergency injunction. I have witnessed
repeated disruptions of utility services stretching back over a number of years. I have been
involved in supporting her obtaining ADA Provisions from ldaho Power, Nampa City and the PUC
and have witnessed her being excluded from all these title 2 entities because of her disability.
I want to verify that Karen has experienced significant harm resulting from loss of access to public
utilities which are beyond her control because the Public Utilities exclude her from equal access or
effective communication.
I want to verify that Karen has been without Public Utilities for approximately 2 months, that she is
currently living in a situation without access to water, sanitation services, or the necessary
therapeutic practices that allow her to decrease seizure activity.
I want to verify that Karen has lost her entire perishable food supply when her power was
disrupted. I both observed and documented this by photos.
I want to verify that no emergency or protective services are available to her because of
widespread ADA violations by ldaho Public Entities. I want to verify that no medical care is
accessible to her. And I want to verify that no disability services are accessible to her. So
disrupting her ability to function independently by refusing to implement effective communication
or permit equal access represents a serious life threatening risk to her.
Subiecting a vulnerable and disabled adult to these circumstances is unsafe and unethical. lt's a
clear violation of Federal Regulations. And all the provisions that should be available to address
these issues are not because att public entities in ldaho are similarly non compliant with the ADA.
Thank you for your attention and investigation to these'reoccurring violations.
Cheryl Mendiola
Boise ldaho
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