Noblesville family at odds with HOA over wheelchair ramp for quadriplegic son

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. - The parents of a quadriplegic teenager are in a battle with their homeowner's association over a wheelchair ramp for their front door.




Corban Phillips, 17, was paralyzed in a trampoline accident in August 2024 and just beginning to gain back some of the independence he used to have. Earlier this year, he began driving after receiving a customized van.

"Some days are hard because I'm not up and doing what I used to be doing," Corban said.




One thing he can no longer do is go in and out of the front door of his family's home because of the steps. To make that happen, his parents, April and Matt, wanted to build ramp on the front of their home.




They hired a contractor who came and evaluated Corban's need and drew up a design. They submitted the plans to the Morse Point HOA for approval.




"What came back was it was aesthetically unpleasing and not something that they wanted on the front of the home," April said. "There was a flood of emotions that ranged from sheer anger to deep sadness."




The HOA presented the Phillips family with an alternative design. Matt said the ramp was too steep and didn't comply with requirements spelled out in The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).




Corban has limited use of his arms and hands, and he can't easily stop himself if his chair rolls down an incline. Corban said getting back up an incline is also challenging for him.




Both the Phillips family and the HOA have since retained attorneys.




"Our goal is for residents in our neighborhood to feel at home, and we support accessibility for all our residents," a spokesperson for the HOA said. "When we met with the family, we thought we were headed to a resolution. We look forward to working with the homeowners and quickly approving a ramp design."




April said the family is making other modifications to their home in order to accommodate Corban's needs. She said this debacle has been an added burden on an already challenging situation.




"(I'm) so angry that someone or a group of people care so much more about aesthetics to a home for a disabled person than what they do accessibility," April said.




Housing law experts said the federal Fair Housing Act generally prevents an HOA from stopping homeowners from making accommodations for disabled people solely because of aesthetic reasons.

"The act makes it unlawful for a housing provider or homeowners' association to refuse to allow a reasonable modification to the premises when such a modification may be necessary to afford persons with disabilities full enjoyment of the premises," a statement from the Department of Justice reads.




In the meantime, the family is attempting to fundraise for Corban's expenses, which continue to pile up. His family is hosting a rummage sale and silent auction on Sept. 26 and 27 to help pay for his medical expenses and other home modifications.



via: https://fox59.com/news/noblesville-family-at-odds-with-hoa-over-wheelchair-ramp-for-quadriplegic-son/