Something else I wrote elsewhere…
“Business was opened by our mayor, he was also very rude to me about it.
It is a restaurant that was converted from a clothing store, so the architect knew, the engineers knew, the workers knew, the city inspector passed it and the fire chief passed it.
Has changed hands since (it is about a year old), so that means another set of inspections that were "passed".
I am sick of this and want to do something about it.
It is not a historical building and all they had to do was knock down the step (11") and make a ramp out of it.
I am thinking about making one of the old "Whites Only" signs and crossing out the Whites and painting Able-Bodied over it and gluing it to their window with gorilla glue. (not really, but I feel like it)…
It is a hot dog restaurant.
I rolled-up to the front door. There is no outside eating area, no awning, nothing but an 11" step.
I knocked on the door. The guy behind the counter came over and opened the door just enough for his head to fit through. (It was our mayor, I did not recognize him at the time, but later realized who it was)
All he said was "Yes?" looking aggravated for being there, and I asked, "Hi, can I get into your shop in your rear entrance?" I was polite and just wanted to know.
He said "nope" closed the door and walked back to the counter and continued to serve people... that was it. The entire front of his store is glass.
I was left outside by myself.
I had to move my hand when he shut the door.
Several people in the store just stared at me with an "OMG" look.
It was pretty shocking.
…
My local JC Penny's merchandise is too close together and I asked a manager to get me a 2x cotton Guayabera for me, it was a few racks in. He was doing nothing.
I was told ‘We don't have time to do your shopping for you. You need to go somewhere else.”

The more I think back the more I remember this kind of thing happening. My wife sees it more than I do; people getting in front of me in lines, stepping in front of me at a parade and when I say “excuse me” looking at me and then turning back around without moving… all kinds of little and more overt things of this nature. It happens while shopping, restaurants, on sidewalks, everywhere.

Normally I don’t think about it, but I am very depressed today about it. I don’t know why, but I hate the feeling of not being wanted, being looked at as something less than fully human.
I don’t believe it is the whole “it is a subconscious fear of infection/fear of mortality” thing. I believe it is an outright prejudice of those who are different and steps taken to exclude them/us.





Another aspect of this is that those businesses have chosen to make it impossible to hire any disabled associates

I've traveled to different states in the past, and noticed some changes as far as accessibility for public places, which presented quite a challenge. To live in such an area, and THEN have to deal with imbeciles on top of that - I can't even imagine. I've taken California for granted. That's un-farking-believable what you experienced! The bastards!

Although I know this isn't the first time for you dealing with such stupidity (and sadly sure as hell won't be the last), I'm so sorry you had to put up with such infuriating rubbish.

Hi
Man I hate hearing these kinda experiences considering the day and age!!!! By coincidence I was shopping at a store this morning, (Sportchek-major chain store in Canada) and when it came time to pay, I wanted to pay by debit, (interac), as I had been doing for years. But....for some reason the store decided to make the debit machine stationary on the countertop, so the face of it is out of our vision and impossible to use!!! So I had to leave my purchase and depart the premises...not too happy. The clerk was a little apologetic but I could tell she didn't give a rat's @$#%. I told her that they should put the proper signage on the front door of the business explaining that they do not offer the debit form of payment for wheelchair users! She said nothing...the coward...lol..
I came home and went to Sportchek on the internet and filled out a complaint form. I also suggested that maybe they should contact me before I take action. Action would mean going to the The Human Rights Commission and the media.
Haven't heard anything yet...will give about 5 working days and then it's off to the races!!!
AND...I sooo understand the situation where there is not access to certain areas of stores! Frustrating....

I'm sorry you had to put up with such ignorance rkzenrage. I hope you'll be feeling your fiesty self soon.

Thanks for your replies... it does help, truly it does.

I am so sorry to hear abou the CRAP you have been put through!! I too have noticed the butting in line and whatnot. It sucks. I think it's just that people in general are rude and inconsiderate. This world is filled with 'em. BUT!!! YOU are NOT!! You are a kind and generous person and you do what you can to make other's lives less difficult. Most people just don't give a crap. But you are not out of control or helpless there are always alternatives whether we see them imediately or not...well...that's my 2 cents worth of an opinion. People suck just not you!! I know I have been sooooo tempted just to roll over there feet and just sit there!! HA!!

holy son of a gun.
I've always had curteous people. if I ever came across a situation like yours I'd most certainly react. probably not in a good way. the hot dog shop wouldn't have any windows left,(i'd pay the fine, but my point was made.) and the racks full of clothes would have to be tipped over as I was trying to get my shirt. "I was only trying to get to the shirts back there since you couldn't help me."

I'm with you hockeydahc, If they aren't willing to do thier job then they wil get to enjoy the problems created when I do it. Sorry to hear about the A-holes Rkzen If ya want a guinea for the chair bail idea, I'll be in Tampa sometime this year can come visit & can well handle a spill... seriously... I could care less about a lawsuit but a little bad PR goes a long way, especially for a public official. I would love to be the provider.

I'm going to just write an editorial to our local paper.

People are such a**holes! Writing an editorial is a good idea. Maybe this will open people's eyes to the every day crap we have to deal with.

And, when people step in front of you at parades ...etc there isn't a rule saying you can run into them a bit. Then, when they turn around in pain you can just say "I'm so sorry!" I've done that before, believe me they'll get out of your way. If that fails just carry around an air horn. Just know that you're not alone we all deal with it.

I had something like that happen. I got some revenge though because my friends and classmates started boycotting the Jack In The Box that was the problem. But some of them did one better. They went ordered their food and when they were told how much it was they showed the people they did in fact have more than enough money; they then informed the workers that since I their friend could NOT go there.......they'd just lost not only my $$$ but theirs as well. I had tried getting some help from corporate office........eh nope. See there is a Jack In The Box @ 12th & C, downtown San Diego. This one has stairs leading to the front door.......their solution was to have a buzzer installed at a back door so that a disabled person "only needs to ring the buzzer to be let in", well fine but nobody answers the bloody thing! So it may as well not even be there. I've rung it and had patrons let me in......but not the people who are supposed too. I've had my aide go around and open it up.......but that still blows. So anyhow sorry to have gone off on my own schpeal......but it may be worth trying to get others to boycott the place until it's fixed........give em a bunch of bad publicity.

I can't say that I have ever had any of the treatment you speak of. Maybe it's a coastal thing, the salt air or something.

Around here, at least for me, everyone seems to go out of their way to be helpful ( maybe it's my startlingly good looks). As for the narrow clothing aisles, I just force myself through, where needed, and let whoever is responsable for the rack arrangement deal with the aftermath.

We have quite a few buisnesses around that prove interesting to enter. They are all in older buildings, and won,t have to be fully compliant until they do a major remodel. All of them do try to make some kind of accomadation, anyway. Some do it better than others.

One Chinese resturant manager offered to have four of his employees carry me and my chair up the stairs ( second floor resturant) and back down again. I, respectfully and gratefully, declined. He was quite serious and apologetic.

Sorry to hear of your health problems, of late, and I hope you are feeling better.
ed

Made these for the editorial.
Need to get out and take some photos.
Going to do an editorial for my local paper.
Going to write and take some pics of local businesses.
Made these today.

Love it rkzenrage. Looks like fun.

Have to admit - my mere three years in the chair have been pretty cushy. Haven't run into any a-holes like those described in rks' and bear's posts. I did have one small episode occur - ironically at the local DA's office. I'd decided to ask the county mucky-mucks for the scoop on medicinal marijuana, so had to visit the DA. The offices are located in downtown Placerville, a historical landmark tucked away in the Sierra foothills, and many of the city's buildings are quaint ... old. Way older than the ADA. So, the entrance to the DA's office is in the back of the building which was the only place a ramp could be constructed without detracting from the curbside architectural appeal. The back entrance threshhold is about two inches higher than the concrete, but can be crossed only after buzzing and waiting for someone to unlock the door to allow you to pass. A little awkward. Almost embarrassing. So, I buzzed. Waited. Waited some more. Then a gentleman opens the door, and asks rather abruptly, "Do you have an appointment with the DA?" Uh, no. I just wanna hang around the back of the building, maybe put a sign around my neck, and a tin cup at my feet.

Geesch! Just writing this sorta got me pissed. I won't do any car bombing, but I may follow your lead with a letter to the editor in the local rag.

Best of luck to us all.

You can look at this as a chance to make money. You probably won't but you can get use the ADA to negotiate a compliant building. The fact is most places find ramps much easier to move things in and out. I can't help you feel better about yourself. You have to do that. Don't ever let others control your happiness. Contact your local ABA and ask for a lawyer that handles ADA cases. These almost always get negotiated and your only reward will be that others in wheelchairs will have access. Call J. C. Penny and tell them where the store is and that ADA requires a minimum isle width. This is a company that wants to be compliant as ADA requirements make restocking safer and easier. Try to remember, your not doing this for yourself. Your doing it for all handicapped and tell your make sure that the mayors behavior is made public. Don't be afraid to talk to local newspaper people. The ADA is a joke, get a few laughs. If a stores isles are to narrow, knock stuff down. Their insurance won't cover their losses if they aren't ADA compliant. They will change. Place an Ad in a local paper llisting places that do not want wheelchairs or handicapped people in their stores, offices or buildings.
Don't forget, dark glasses and a coffee can will get the attention of folks in office. just say your raising money to build ramps. Have fun doing it! I get some decent money doing that and I don't build ramps that are suppose to be there. Arresting mew cost too much since hospitals want 10g a day to keep me and the cost of a guard so I don't escape.

good luck,
john 32 years post

Ooooooh that is the spirit... I rather like that idea, there are a few places in Capitola (hell in san jose too) that are not W/C accessible and it has proved difficult if not downright impossible to get in/out of. He would just grumpy and we leave... I am going to make the suggestion to him, and a few other friends...

I will say one thing, several of our movie theaters have taken out seats so that chairs can be rolled to and enjoy the movie beside your friends without it being in the way or a *fire hazzard* 1 point for that!

Love the pics and your fighting spirit. Someone has to fight back for us.

Hiya,


Fab placard/plates...


there are a fair few places here which are not DDA ( our ADA) compliant. It always amazes me that they throw up new buildings and cram them full of stock and fail to leave room for wheelchair access..I mean I am with you on this one as you can understand that old ( ie centuries old) buildings may have issues, but new ones should be built with universal access in mind.

Just the other day I was in NEXT and actually knocked a few stands out of place and almost tipped a few rails b/c they have no consideration of wheelchair access and Highlighting it this way seems to help..lol..
For those not familiar, NEXT is a Large Retail chain which is middle range ( so not cheapo). They predominantly sell clothing and have extensive men, women and children's ranges etc. In fact that is what amazes me. What I mean is my chair is 16inch seat, so its not going to be that big when you take into account the wheels..So if my chair can't fit there is NO way that a double side by side pushchair and some single ones will fit either! So thats damaging to them if mums/dads with pushchairs are out looking for kids clothes, nevermind the chair users.

When I knocked into the stand, someone came over to offer assistance. I took the opportunity to say that I wouldn't need any help, nor would their rails be almost tipped over if they could position them better. I won't hold my breath though as I have said things before.

To top it off, most shopping centres or stores have terrible parking (Matalan springs to mind), although some ( asda springs to mind) are trying harder in some of their branches. I shouldn't even start on that one though as its my so called pet peeve! Even when you explain to management why you need the bay for putting the chair together ( that one really gets them) and others need for lifts etc, they still look at you like you are an alien...All thats before I even get to the fact that going across a carpark in a chair is dangerous with all the tunnel vision drivers inhabiting it...

Then there is the fact that disabled folks surely can't have children....URGHHHHH...I can't say how many times someone has openly discussed that subject about me, either to my face or in ear shot! Ok, I will stop there....lol...


So I DO also feel your pain...I have yet to find someone in a chair who hasn't experienced some of this too...sadly..
However, moving the stands with your chair really does seem to get them jumping!

Take care,

K

Sorry you had such a bad experience. When I see people like that I just thank God I'm not one of them and never was. My bad experience with poor judgement and wheelchair accessiable was when i was sent to a doctor for my SS dissability claim. The doctor's office was NOT wheelchair accessable, no parking, and the space was so small I had to go backwards into an office to be examined. Good thing I had my husband with me to carry me up and down the enterance stairs.

One good experience was at a New Jersey Foot Locker store. Two young salesmen waited on me for sneakers for my leg braces. They must have put on over two dozen pairs before one finally fit over my feet and braces.