Disabled Group Gets Kicked out of Nassau Trampoline Center

Family members of disabled children are outraged after a Syosset trampoline center removed the children from the business Tuesday night.

The owners of Bounce Trampoline Sports, 310 Michael Drive, are accused of kicking out the group because they are disabled, but the owners say the situation was a misunderstanding.

Members of the Children’s Residential Program for AHRC Nassau were taken to Bounce on April 26 as a recreational activity, but they were escorted out of the center by police after a confrontation with Bounce employees. Patch was told a civil rights lawyer was contacted.

Suzanne Reek, whose 12-year-old son was at Bounce when the incident occurred, said she heard one of the boys in the group entered the owner’s office and was told to “get the f*** out.”

Ali Carbone told Patch her 14-year-old brother and her 22-year-old brother, who is nonverbal, blind and epileptic, were escorted out of Bounce.

“This kind of stuff happens to us all the time, but when someone calls the police, that upsets me,” she said.

Carbone said one of the low functioning students made a dramatic noise and was asked to leave, and when the caretakers refused, the Bounce employees became upset.

Carbone, who was not there when the incident occurred, was told a heated conversation ensued.

“These people [the caretakers] are very passionate about their jobs,” she said.

But the owners of Bounce say the incident was never about the special needs children. A Bounce spokesperson told Patch the children’s caretakers were not acting appropriately and refused to follow basic safety rules, but did not mention specific examples.

“We feel terrible about the situation,” the Bounce spokesperson said. “Children of all disabilities are welcome at any time.”

In a statement on Facebook, Bounce wrote,

“We are a family owned business with roots in Long Island and we want to make sure that no misunderstanding like this ever takes place again as it does not serve the community, the residents or the business. We instead welcome anyone to have an open a dialogue with us and enjoy our facility in a way that is acceptable to all. Please share our response so that everyone has a balanced understanding of the incident. Our sincere apologies for anyone who was offended by what they thought occurred that evening.”

Carbone, however, said the version of events she was told was 100 percent different from Bounce’s story. Patch has attempted to contact caretakers who were at Bounce when the incident occurred. Children’s Residential Program for AHRC Nassau has decided not to make any comments to the media.

Bounce’s Facebook page has received several comments following news of the incident:

“I’m disappointed that in 2016, individuals with disabilities are still being denied access to a public place,” said Reek, who serves as President of Nassau Suffolk Autism Society.

You never know what actually happened until you hear both sides of the story, but what happens when two sides are telling different tales? Who do you believe? Tell us in the comments below!