Accessibility letter: advice requested

[aedifica]

I was in a restaurant last week and when I went to the bathroom I saw it said on the door in huge letters "WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE." So that got me thinking about accessibility more than I normally might. The first thing I noticed is that when I turned to lock the door, I saw that the door lock is placed *very* high on the door, about head height--high enough that I don't think I could reach it if I were sitting in a wheelchair. (Or if I had shoulder mobility issues.) So I'm thinking I'll write them a letter asking them to put a lock lower on the door.

Here are the other things I noticed, only I don't know if these are features or bugs--should I include them in the letter?

- There was a horizontal bar on the wall next to the toilet, like you usually see in wheelchair stalls. The toilet paper holder was at the same level as the bar, on the end of the bar away from the toilet, which made me think it might be a little hard to reach (it was a little hard for *me* to reach that far forward, and I'm currently-able-bodied). Would having it above the bar closer to the toilet be easier or harder, or is that something that depends on the person?

- The sink was really high. Is that a good thing, so you can scoot your chair in close enough to reach, or a bad thing? Or again, something that depends on the person?

Comments

[freyakitten]

Definitely speak up about the toilet paper. Speaking as someone who is short (5'2"), with arms in proportion to my height, I have this issue with any toilet paper holder mounted on the back of the cubicle door - I have to get the paper before I sit down, or stand up to bring the paper within reach. Or take my own in. Having toilet paper supplies dispensed outside of easy reach when sitting in a position to use it drives me up the wall...

And if I'm having a dizzy spell day, I can't even lean forward to get it.