15 replies to this topic

[Spinner]

I admit it, whenever I see a building with a staircase at the entry, I visualize how I would design a ramp to get in. At this point it is second nature and it happens with houses, businesses, whatever! Whenever I notice any kind of barrier that would keep my husband and me moving through this world as a team, my mind immediately begins thinking of how to solve the problem. Do you view the world and accessibility similarly?

[wheelie182]

haha, yes, I do find myself doing that when I'm sat in traffic or something.

Most places around here would be very easy to do, but Im not sure how it works when the ramp would extend onto the pavement or something, I guess its get complicated then with permissions and what not.

Edited by wheelie182, 04 January 2012 - 12:48 PM.

[ebeth]

When I became a paraplegic, I definitely started seeing the world in a different way. My parents also are much more aware of accessibility issues in our community because of my disability.

[Chococat]

Yes i most definitely do as well!!! i am also obsessed with accessible holiday destinations so whenever any family/friend return from holiday one of my first questions will be about accessibility of the place, hotel, attractions etc. i get really frustrated when they can't remember if there was a walk in shower....but i guess an AB holidaymaker doesn't even give that a second thought.

Slightly off track, but does anyone else find organising a holiday to be a total chore, what with having to check out disabled friendliness of stuff? Sometimes i lose the will...

[allis53ca]

absolutely do

[greybeard]

I see rumps everywhere I go.

[rue2you]

Yes. I am a problem solver kind of person so I want to solve all these accessibility issues!

[wheeliebear75]

All the time! My B/F has even asked the managers in restaurants & stores to have their maintenance people please let out some of the pressure in their bathroom door hinges because they currently require too much force to push/pull open for someone in a wheelchair & then he shows them a picture of US, we've found it really helps to put a face/person with this request (It maybe a good idea of family/friends to carry a picture posed with that "special w/c someone"? Several of my closest friends do.).

I'm sure during the early part of the 1900's white people in the U.S. probably didn't even notice just how many signs there were designating whether or not it was to be used for whites or colored people. Today you would never see a sign (except maybe at a KKK rally ) saying "Whites ONLY". However look around & you will see businesses that say "AB ONLY", it's just rather than coming out & SAYING IT...their sign is a set of stairs that tells us that WE & our $ isn't as welcome as is someone who CAN walk up those stairs.

[goose]

The ones that catch my attention are the ones that are way too steep. You can tell someone just built it to say "we have a ramp"....they should be made to try to use the thing! It makes you wonder...just how stupid some people are!

[isobar]

Being that accessibility rates higher now of course i do , for example why dont all restaurants have adjustable tables @ the time i was feeding my face.

[Rolilancou]

goose, on 05 January 2012 - 08:16 AM, said:

The ones that catch my attention are the ones that are way too steep. You can tell someone just built it to say "we have a ramp"....they should be made to try to use the thing! It makes you wonder...just how stupid some people are!

This bothers me alot, we live in Mexico, my fiance is from the US and granted, mexican businesses are kind of getting an idea of accesibility but seriously. those steep ramps that they built in right next to the stair everywhere we go, it's practically impossible to roll on those even with help. US although is better still need alot of improvement, we can't go to a restaurant without me going there first and check if there is enough room for him to roll and if there is an available table where we can fit, the movies, I get dizzy from having the screen so close to my face and he can't have his head facing up for too long or else he'll have a severe headache so that's why we never go out anywhere. It's just a pain.

Vacations? Him and I are too lazy to throughly look into little details about how the places we might want to go have or don't have accesibility areas, rooms, rest.. etc. We just vacation in our back yard

[Andromeda]

What I find most irritating is that in some of the "historic districts" around where we live, those buildings were grandfathered in when the ADA rules went into effect, meaning that because they would have to alter their otherwise historic structure, they didn't have to comply. There are a lot of little shops in a nearby town that actually lose a lot of business because there are NO ramps at all, and no way for a wheelchair user to get into the place (or someone with a walker or on crutches). We also ran into that difficulty in looking for a place to have our wedding. You wouldn't believe the lovely little chapels and places that we could not use because of accessibility issues. I wonder when someone will get a clue and realize they are missing out on some sales, etc., and that the money they spend to become ADA compliant they would make back in a matter of months.

Whew! Thank you for letting me vent!

[ZEN12many]

Yes, I notice accessibility issues all the time. I especially compare my town with others; mine has a ways to go. It is easy enough to drive somewhere in my town but, in the older parts of town, the sidewalks don't have built in ramps at intersections but instead have a 4" curb.

[Chococat - yes planning an accessible holiday is not fun - once I find a place, I go back several times]

[greybeard - and summer is coming! things are looking up]

[skinnylatte]

All the time! I never used to think about it, but being with someone in a wheelchair really trains you to watch the ground! The other day, I was pushing a friend's baby in a stroller - and I realized what a pro I was at rolling along on the sidewalk, up and down curb cutouts. I guess this training will pay off one day!

[Trekmom]

I see huge problems in big cities I travel for work a lot which is why I think we haven't moved in together sooner, Right now I'm in the DC area, you would think the nations capital right? So wrong! Even the main transportation systems are terrible. The metro which is what I am using to get around this week the elevators are out! I'm just thinking how is he going to get to come out with me and enjoy it, total frustration when it could solved so easy and its not! I'm seeing solutions more and more though so that for me is a plus!

[Homeskillet]

We haven't been out much but to doctors appointments and grocery stores. I'm sure when we brave the great outdoors we'll notice a lot more.