ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Washtenaw County, Mich., Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously passed on Jan. 10 what could be the first swimwear policy in the country accommodating individuals who cannot wear traditional swimsuits for religious reasons. The decision follows an event in June 2005 when a 13-year-old girl swimming with her friends at a water park in Ypsilanti was ordered out of the pool for her clothing. Her outfit was in accordance with Islam’s modesty requirements but violated health and safety regulations at the pool. The new policy will accommodate those who cannot wear traditional bathing suits for religious reasons by permitting appropriate clothing with the following conditions:
– Clothing must allow free movement of arms and legs and be free from hardware such as belts, buckles and rivets.
– The clothing material must be lightweight as to not inhibit a patron’s movement or weigh him down in the pool. Fabric such as nylon, polyester, Lycra or thin cotton is acceptable.
– Clothing also must not be so loose that it could cause entanglement, entrapment or strangulation in pool equipment.
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