A WHEELCHAIR ramp has left a Noblesville, Indiana, family in a fierce battle with their Morse Pointe Homeowners Association (HOA).
Last year, while doing gymnastics, a 16-year-old boy broke his neck and spine in a tragic accident on a trampoline.
16-year-old Corban Phillips was left paralyzed after breaking his neck and spine in a freak accident[/caption]
The Philips family is preparing to move into their Morse Pointe home but are clashing with the Morse Pointe HOA about Carbon’s accessibility needs for the home[/caption]
Corban Phillips was left paralyzed as a result.
“He couldn’t feel anything from the neck down and he was having a hard time breathing,” his mom, April Phillips, said to WISH-TV.
“He couldn’t feel his feet or his legs, or his arms or his hands.”
The Phillips family faced mounting medical bills and prepared to make home modifications to accommodate Corban’s medical needs following his accident in 2024.
However, in 2025, the Phillips family stated that the HOA refused to approve their proposed ramp design for Corban.
They claim the refusal violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as it puts Corban’s safety and independence at risk, as reported by WISH-TV.
“After the initial phone call we had with the HOA and the management company, we were made to feel kind of criminal for asking for such a thing,” April told the outlet.
The family submitted plans for a U-shaped wheelchair ramp in July that would allow Corban to safely enter and exit their home while giving him access to the front yard.
This U-shaped design was developed in consultation with contractors to ensure it met safety standards and Corban’s specific needs.
But the HOA rejected the design, citing concerns about the appearance of the ramp and how it fit with neighborhood guidelines.
Instead, the HOA proposed an alternative ramp design – an L-shaped ramp extending straight out from the front door, crossing the driveway.
However, Corban’s contractor warned that this design posed safety risks due to its steep incline and awkward layout.
April said that fair and equal access is important, and since the L-shaped ramp crosses the driveway, the steep slope makes it unsafe for Corban to navigate independently.
The family argues the HOA’s design effectively limits Corban’s access and independence, and could even leave him trapped in an emergency situation.
HOA crackdowns in the US
States across the country are working to restrict the power of HOAs.
- In Minnesota, lawmakers introduced a bill that would require HOA boards to create a schedule of fines and fees and distribute it to homeowners; ensure homeowners can contest an HOA fine; provide reasonable time to correct rule violations; and outlaw the practice of charging homeowners for asking questions.
- In Arizona, lawmakers are cracking down on HOA budgets. Under a newly proposed law, HOA boards would have strict guidelines for how they approve expenses.
- In Florida, a bill was passed that restricts the amount of control HOAs have over tenants’ property. It also stops HOAs from fining homeowners for leaving trash cans out and holiday lights up.
- In Atlanta, bipartisan bills were introduced to reign in overly aggressive HOAs to protect homeowners.
- In California, a new bill requires HOA elections to be monitored and the board to comply with certain homeowner requests.
- In Colorado, new HOA rules require greater transparency between HOA board members and tenants.
- And the Federal Fair Housing Act sets housing standards for all homeowners, tenants, and landlords.
“I think it’s weird that we care more about looks than disabilities; after all, it’s just access to the house. That’s my thoughts on it. It’s a little sad,” Corbon said.
Despite the dispute, the HOA insists they want to work with the family to find a solution that balances safety with the neighborhood’s aesthetic standards.
A spokesperson for the HOA told WISH-TV, “The claim that the HOA is denying an accessibility ramp is false.”
The Morse Pointe HOA states that they have been communicating with the owners to identify a solution to their request.
“{We have been} communicating with the owners to identify a solution to their request for an improvement to their home, and has offered to meet with the owners and their contractor to discuss construction of a ramp and deck that will accommodate their needs,” The association added.
The family dauntingly lives in temporary housing while awaiting ramp approval.
Without an approved ramp from the Morse Pointe subdivision, Corban’s ability to safely access his new home remains in jeopardy.
This case highlights the ongoing tension between community standards enforced by HOAs and the individuals living under HOA rules.
In states like California, a new law that went into effect on July 1, 2025, known as California Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130), aims to curtail excessive fines imposed by Homeowners’ Associations.
In Indiana, where the Phillips family lives, the last law protecting residents was from 2009.
The Indiana Homeowners Association Act requires HOAs to maintain transparency and keep records of important documents.
April Phillips is upset that the HOA cares more about appearance than the safety of her son[/caption]
The Morse Pointe HOA recommended a L-shaped ramp, but the family is opposed to this as it compromises Corban’s safety[/caption]
