You Fail At Accessibility

[synecdochic]

Have you ever been in an 'accessible' hotel room that had an half-inch-high curb at the threshhold? Ever been caught in a 22" wide wheelchair facing down a 20" door? Ever been assured that the allegedly-accessible route has 'just' one step?

Take a picture. Then post it to the community, with where you were, what you noticed, and why that place fails at accessibility. (Filing ADA violation reports can be a community bonding activity!)

Pictures aren't necessary, and whether or not you have a picture, describe the situation as completely as you can. (That way those with visual-based disabilities can share in the mocking of the fail as well.) And if you come across someplace that does it right, please also feel free to post accessibility wins.

(All kinds of accessibility fail welcome: mobility-based, visual-based, physical-world, online-world, anything at all.)

Comments

[killing_rose]

I recall on my first day of freshman year checking my dorm at the time for accessibility. (I'm able-bodied, but it's something I try to remember given that I have friends who use wheelchairs that I'd like to be able to visit me.) At the time, given that the building had an elevator, I thought that at least the college was trying. Yes, it had one elevator and one accessible bathroom. That was in the basement. But the elevator only went to the third floor and not the fourth and was very rarely able to be accessed unless you got the key from the custodian *and* security *and* campus life.

Other dorms on our campus? Out of twenty-five dorms, ranging from freshman housing to the co-ops favored by seniors? Six of them have an elevator of some form (which is the only thing that anyone on campus actually pays attention to when it comes to "accessibility"), about eight have one or more bathrooms that a larger stall with grab bars, and all of seven or so have a larger shower. And maybe five have either a ramp or an entrance that has no steps whatsoever.

Do not get me started on the classroom buildings because in many instances they fail even worse. (Our library was built in the sixties. It has an elevator. Located in the basement and not available to the public unless you go to the checkout desk, which is located up one flight of stairs.)