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Table Accessibility


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#1 *deb4604*

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Posted 08 December 2009 - 02:01 AM

I recently started dating a C5-6 guy who uses a power wheelchair. One of my biggest issues is that his chair never fits under any tables when we go out to eat. The chair has a swing away arm so that you can supposedly get close to a table, but it's pointless, because his knees never fit under anyway! He said he had the same problem with his manual chair too. You would think that when they design wheelchairs they would take things like this into consideration.
Is it just because he's 6ft tall that it's an issue, or is this an common problem with everyone??

Debbie

#2 kiwiquad

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Posted 08 December 2009 - 04:25 AM

Awww yes! it's one of my pet hates too & I'm only 5ft 10". 26yrs post SCI, & they're not getting any higher. :angry:

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#3 Kodie

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Posted 08 December 2009 - 06:07 AM

Hi deb!
I don't know if I'm correct or not, but in Shepherd Center I remember them saying something about the ADA and resturants supposed to accomodate wheelchair users. I have the same problem being 6'6'' myself! But, yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm correct about that. If not, someone on this forum knows more about it. :angry: Hope that helped!
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#4 wheeliebear75

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Posted 08 December 2009 - 11:13 AM

VERY common problem. I also have the swing away arm rests & often even though I "fit" under the table the legs and/or center post wont let me get in properly.
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#5 Apparelyzed

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Posted 08 December 2009 - 11:37 AM

If I knew I was going to a restaurant where the table was too low, I'd either ask them to raise the table for me, or take 4 wooden blocks with me.

Now though, I tend to sit on the corner or end of a table, as I've gotten used to it.

Having said that though, it can still be a pain in the ass.

Simon :angry:

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#6 *deb4604*

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Posted 08 December 2009 - 12:20 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Kodie, thanks.....I'll check into the ADA for some answers as well.

#7 Apparelyzed

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Posted 08 December 2009 - 02:48 PM

In addition, this thread on booking a restaurant table may be worth looking at:

http://www.apparelyz...p?showtopic=211

Simon :angry:

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#8 Kodie

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Posted 08 December 2009 - 08:38 PM

Hi again!
Ok, I went to the ADA website and found this.

ADA Title III: Public Accommodations

"Public accommodations must comply with basic nondiscrimination requirements that prohibit exclusion, segregation, and unequal treatment. They also must comply with specific requirements related to architectural standards for new and altered buildings; reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures; effective communication with people with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities; and other access requirements. Additionally, public accommodations must remove barriers in existing buildings where it is easy to do so without much difficulty or expense, given the public accommodation's resources."

I'm pretty sure this implies to the table issue.
Fear is the dumbest thing that we've ever created in our minds; its just so stupid... it stands in the way of everything and it achieves nothing.




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