Access win? Calling all adventure service dogs

[roserodent]

I visited a cafeteria and store at a venue along Hadrian's Wall. Let us for the moment overlook that they had a gravel path leading to their disabled toilet facility, which then had a step on the door and look at this win for service dogs with a yen for an adrenaline rush.

This large slide is the only edifice for miles around: 



And if we zoom in to have a closer look at the sign:



We see that the slide sadly only accepts canines if they are qualified guide dogs. So if you have a guide dog who has always longed for a go on a seven foot slide, set compass for Hexham.

Comments

[adrian_turtle]

In general, I applaud efforts to make playgrounds more accessible to disabled adults caring for children (where the children themselves would not have the same needs.) Most playgrounds use wood chips to soften the ground and reduce injuries when kids fall off the equipment, but that makes the place inaccessible to wheelchairs. Playground designers often think kids in strollers or wheelchairs can't use playground equipment anyhow, so they don't need to worry about making it access...but it's useful for a parent (or grandparent) on wheels to be able to take their preschoolers to the playground to run and climb. (Mats of recycled plastic are good for both safety and accessibility, BTW.) Likewise: dogs are a nuisance on playgrounds because some kids are scared of them and some owners don't clean up after them. And who expects blind kids to play on big slides? But blind parents should be able to take their kids to the playground, if they want to. I mean, they should be able to do it without expecting a little kid to do the job of a guide dog.