A lot of places say they are accessible. To give you an idea, last week I attended a function at a location that claimed they were fully accessible. A short list of the failings include: no curb cuts, toilet (obviously new) too low, accessible entrance around back was not marked and staff didn't know where it was, "accessible entrance" path was not clear of snow, "accessible entrance" went by the "shop" and was currently full of boxes, doors too narrow, and very heavy, lift is old and not in good shape (it kept trying to go down even at the bottom)(it also wasn't lit), chairs and tables spaced so that a person with a wheelchair can not get past the entrance to the room and so could not access the stage, registration areas, or food without assistance, servers leaned on wheelchair while serving food. And that's the short list, made without actually doing an accessibility audit. I was there for only a few hours. Later calls to the facility had them continuing to report that they are accessible.
Really, when you report that you are accessible, maybe you should actually think what that means. Rather than just assume you are, why not ask someone who knows.
And if you are planning an event, don't take someone else's word for it that it is accessible. Ask a few questions. Ask about curb cuts, and which entrance to use, elevators, and bathrooms. Always ask about room layout, since I find that to be the most common problem.
But really, stop telling me you're accessible. Did you really think I just wouldn't notice?
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3 comments:
I really wish these people would, in the very least, borrow a store wheelchair and wheel it around their establishment to gain a clearer picture of what accessible really means. At the most, they should liaise with wheelchair users and heed their expert advice.
This is all too common, the norm in fact. The bigger the company the less access exists in reality. Lost elevator keys, lifts with garbage in them, rear entrances with bells to enter that are never answered, etc. etc. The most infuriating to me is rent-a-cars with hand controls. I call four days in advance, the night before, and two hours before I arrive. Yes, I am told the car is ready. What happens when I arrive? No employee can find the car with hand controls. This happens about 50 to 75% of the time I reserve a car.
This was VERY (sadly) true. I agree with everything you said, Rashea. Having been in a wheelchair at one point, I experienced everything you talked about (well, except the snow - darn it, we don't get the wonderful stuff down here!)
As a loyal EHellion, I have to POD everything you said. ;)
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