Doing research for an article years ago, I decided to put myself in someone else’s place. I moved around a city’s downtown area in a wheelchair to check out its accessibility.
I wasn’t the first person to use this tactic to test a building, mall or city center, but I’m grateful to whoever did do it first because immediately after starting on my trip, I realized something people who use wheelchairs and other equipment to go anywhere had known for a long time. Elements of a building or city that barely register to most people — curbs, sidewalk cracks, doors — often are huge roadblocks to access.
I was reminded of my short journey — boy, were my arms tired — as I read an account of a restaurant critic’s visit to a restaurant with a twisting, turning, multi-level floor plan that turned out to be a nightmare for wheelchair users.
The writer pointed out the obstacles to the restaurant’s manager, who quickly cleared away some them and vowed to address the others. But a subsequent visit revealed that the obstacles had returned, and even multiplied. I suddenly wondered if anything had been done to fix the few problems I had found on my roll around downtown. (I feel a follow-up blog coming on.)
For a real look at the obstacles to accessibility in and around your facilities, consider taking a roll — even a short one — on somebody else’s wheels. The next best thing to that effort, though, might be to follow through on and address comments, suggestions and complaints about the accessibility of your facilities.
A wealth of informtion also is available from the Access Board.
You're to be commended for attempting wheelchair enlightenment. Keep in mind, many who use wheelchairs also operate with some type of, or multiple, diminished capacities (mental or physical). For them, it's all they can do to just get through the day.
This is why it's critical that Facility managers correctly maintain operable equipment and keep them within ADA required reach ranges.
Now, for your next brave attempt, go try a day with a white cane. That has to be the absolute ultimate challange.
Some day I might even try that one too.