Win! at Montreal's Chateau Ramezay

[trouble]

On my recent trip to Montreal, there was some massive accessibility fail fail fail omg, but I wanted to highlight something that was win!

We went to [website in English] Chateau Ramezay. At first I didn't want to, because we hadn't been to their website and I was convinced it wouldn't be accessible, but Don talked me into at least checking it out, since we were basically right there anyway.

Guess what? They totally do have wheelchair accessibility, not just "in theory" but in actual fact!

Without any quibbling or complaining, as soon as one of the staff saw Don and I coming, they went in and grabbed their two ramps that make the stairs wheelchair-friendly. I have included photos (with alt-tag descriptions) at the end of this post.

There is also an actual working wheelchair elevator in the back, that allows people in wheelchairs to explore the downstairs of the museum.

The back gardens are also accessible, although the ramp down to them is a bit steep and I probably wouldn't have wanted to push a chair up it.

Mostly, I was impressed that the staff were friendly, didn't make any comments or body-language that indicated they found helping us irritating, and were available without having to wait to use the elevator. They talked to Don about his needs, not me, which is another Win!

Comments

[neekabe]

Those look so easy and lightweight and probably not overly expensive. I feel like I/we should go around to palces in Halifax with these pictures and go "Look! See! Not difficult!"

[trouble]

It would eliminate the problem of "A ramp would block the whole sidewalk or be too steep".

[dreamatdrew]

See, the part of this that makes it a win IMNSHO is that, no, they were not designed accessible, and no, they didn't rebuild to make accessible (at least the entrance), but the found a system that works, and just *do it* when the need arises. That is a very special kind of win in my book.

[cesy]

Yes. These kind of ramps are the answer to so many places that say they can't afford to rebuild/aren't allowed to change historic buildings.

[trouble]

I wonder how much they do cost to put together. Hmmm.....

[orbitaldiamonds]

What an awesome solution!

[trouble]

Isn't it just? Next week I'm going to call a few places and see how expensive such things would be to make.

[orbitaldiamonds]

That's a great idea. I'm working on a site (I created the comm accessworld to seek ideas and submissions) about accessibility by city, and I could advertise those ramp things!

[trouble]

If I forget, do pitch that on disability, will you? My brain is too fried to do a link-spam tonight.

[orbitaldiamonds]

I just did. (Also, *whew!* I was sure it was allowed, but still worried.) :D

[trouble]

:)

The original point of the comm (which hasn't really taken off in that direction, but hey!) was a place for 101-and-up conversations about disability where people could post discussion questions and the like.

I'm fairly content with where it is, but sometimes I'd like something more like what it was meant to be.

[orbitaldiamonds]

Yeah, I get that. I have book comms here and on LJ and I was hoping those would be discussion places too, but I get comments maybe once a quarter. :P