Ramp too steep (needs 1:12) insufficient flat landing (needs clearance), door handle should be flip lever, fire-extinguisher seems to not be accessible.

When you see the orange sticker on the left top, this means this phone is probably outdated.

The Parking spaces of any public business must comply with accessisbale parking. 1 to 25 1
26 to 50 2
51 to 75 3
76 to 100 4
101 to 150 5
151 to 200 6
201 to 300 7
301 to 400 8
401 to 500 9
501 to 1000 2 percent of total
1001 and over 20, plus 1 for each 100,
or fraction thereof, over 1000

Also Federal guide-line “trump” state guide-lines. Hence, best use the Federal guidelines with all new construction or “stripping” of parking lots. The accessible space must be twelve-feet (12) wide with a five (5) foot access isle. Also the sign should be at five (5) feet of the bottom edge to the finished floor. With correct wording (tow) and fine posted.

Here’s the real issue with this “scenario.” The both spots are not wide enough, one spot has a missing sign and the path of access is not compliant.

This is a reason why all accessible parking spots must be closes to the Main entrance. Imagine trying to get pass them cars in a wheelchair, scooter, walker, etc. With the slight chance that there are no cars there blocking, you’ll still have difficulties passing the “Parking-Indicators.” This will be corrected. See the “before-after” scenario coming soon.

Seems like someone has had some experience with these “Shower-Benches.” All excellent points and valid concerns. I do not know how many times I had one of these offered to me as the remedy for me to take a shower. I would travel with mine, however, with two girls (5)-(12) and a wife that does not travel “lightly” and my wheelchair, I would need a small school bus, I’m not a fan of buses for privet use.

I’m yet to get “management” to sit in one of these, usually after I do a semi-demonstration they get the picture and say “no thank you”, with that odd look on their face as if I stole something from them. However, kudos on your method.

okay… being sent through the basement? On a major resort? Shame on them! Looks like a lot of dust and junk on the floor.. wondering if there is a clear path of travel of 48 inches. Looks like the door leading to the rest of the resort . Looks like the entrance door in the back has a lip- rise in the cement creating an architectural barrier.. Question also if the metal door is too heavy. Not a clear path.. someone who is visually impaired may also smash into things…Slippery cardboard on the floor which could cause a tripping hazard…Metal door looks like it may be heavy-and possibly not correct hardware… hard to see.

If you are asked to go through an area that looks ANYTHING like this, due to it’s their “Accessible” entrance, contact us or a local attorney. I won’t point out all the violations due to time constraints that I have this weekend…However, note the disabled sign on the door, that’s tantamount as having a sign that says “African American” entrance/exit. I know it looks “harmless” to most, however, it’s NOT! It’s the year 2012…………AD!

The path is WAY too narrow, should be at least 36″ inches wide and here it’s at about 29″ inches.

The surface is a smooth concrete, but that’s the least of their problems. There are entrance/exit points but that’ll be covered in another “Scenario.” Still more violations…

This is and will continue to be the case unless we educate EVERYONE at all levels of the “Business” ladder. The law is clear in cases like this but because “ignorance” and that should not be an excuse, at least it shouldn’t be.

1) It would have taken NO more time or money to have set the Entrance poles at thirty-six (36) inches wide and with a minimal of a five (5) by five (5) feet turning area at the turn. Here they are at twenty five (25) inches wide, entrance and no room to make a turn at the bend, inexcusable.

2) For that oversight I could not go inside the “Easter Hunt” event with my five (5) year old daughter, I had to watch from outside the “fence.” While other parents went around with their kids and picked eggs and candy. It was not a good feeling, knowing that, if I could have just got through the entrance that I could have been enjoying a special time with my little Jessie.

(I was not going to make a fuss nor is a scene with my kids around, it not “cool”) There is a time and place for everything and sometimes you must pick your battles and not let them choose you. I’m an advocate, but a parent first. I think we all should as advocates do things with a smile, even when a smile may not be “warranted.”

3) If this was a permanent structure, the laws would apply differently, however, because it’s temporary they’ll go with-out even knowing they had discriminated someone and their family and I was not the only wheelchair out that day.

4) I have covered entrances in this Scenario only, due to the lengthy regulations that encompass “Amusement Rides.” Rule of thumb in this scenario or the likes, is to have a MINIMAL of thirty six (36) inches path and enough room, sixty (60) inches at any turn for turning space for someone that uses a wheelchair can use effectively.

5) The floor here is out-side and is well “packed” and even though it could be better, nothing is ever perfect, and I was able to travers the grounds with-out great effort. I was pleased about that, considering the terrain is grass.

6) I must point out again; this could and could have been avoided if the “carnies” were taught about paths of access before erecting this event.

Advisory 1001.1 Scope. Unless otherwise modified or specifically addressed in Chapter 10, all other ADAAG provisions apply to the design and construction of recreation facilities and elements. The provisions in Section 1001.1 apply wherever these elements are provided. For example, office buildings may contain a room with exercise equipment to which these sections would apply.
1002 Amusement Rides
1002.1 General. Amusement rides shall comply with 1002.
1002.2 Accessible Routes. Accessible routes serving amusement rides shall comply with Chapter 4.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. In load or unload areas and on amusement rides, where compliance with 405.2 is not structurally or operationally feasible, ramp slope shall be permitted to be 1:8 maximum.
2. In load or unload areas and on amusement rides, handrails provided along walking surfaces complying with 403 and required on ramps complying with 405 shall not be required to comply with 505 where compliance is not structurally or operationally feasible.
Advisory 1002.2 Accessible Routes Exception 1. Steeper slopes are permitted on accessible routes connecting the amusement ride in the load and unload position where it is “structurally or operationally infeasible.” In most cases, this will be limited to areas where the accessible route leads directly to the amusement ride and where there are space limitations on the ride, not the queue line. Where possible, the least possible slope should be used on the accessible route that serves the amusement ride.
1002.3 Load and Unload Areas. A turning space complying with 304.2 and 304.3 shall be provided in load and unload areas.
1002.4 Wheelchair Spaces in Amusement Rides. Wheelchair spaces in amusement rides shall comply with 1002.4.
1002.4.1 Floor or Ground Surface. The floor or ground surface of wheelchair spaces shall be stable and firm.

I understand many of the moral reasons why individuals would go out of their way to segregate themselves, or a group for that matter, thinking they are creating a positive environment for their children, when in fact they may be doing something much worse.

We have had people die for inclusion rights and continue to do so till this day, just to keep the “movement” fresh in the minds of our leaders as well our children. Exclusion is never a “good-thing,” especially when it comes to our children. It’s not right to create an environment that does just that, for the many wrong reasons.

What I mean is this, for example: you build a playground only for kids that are African American or Latino American or White American, what message is that sending out? It’s a powerful one and one that is anti-inclusionary. That is (similar in concept) the very same thing to what is happening when you are building an area that is geared for the “disabled only.”

Why do that when you can take that energy and focus it in the direction of having your local parks comply with the LAW?!

Do not give in and do something that counters what we have been trying to fight all these years. I understand that the intension is great and well directed but sometimes “feelings” shouldn’t matter.

Food for thought…

How can we go forward if we hold on to the past so dearly? In some cases we actually let the past interfere from letting us “move” forward. It’s the opposite that I was told all my life growing up and yet here, every day, I witness society holding onto the “old-days.”

How can we have the “old-days” still?

I could understand that “mentality” of twenty, perhaps twenty-five years ago, but to hear people still refer to the “old-days” today, seems a little arrogant, or maybe just ignorant, either one is not a good thing.

Maybe when you have a young business man (twenty+ years your Jr.) tell you how it was in the “old-days” you may get that “mental-wet-mop-smack-in-the-head” and wake-up and see that we are in the year 2012!!!

How little we’ve come, you may ask yourself, maybe even test your own moral compass and see that you may have been off course at times.

The “old-days” are long and gone, the days of Leave it to Beaver and the “Fonz” are over and it’s time we realize that. The American dream has changed and as the Dreams have changed so have our “mornings.” We have woken up, but yet to have our cup of “coffee.”

We still live TODAY in a time that discrimination is something that no one is ever guilty of. Yet we still have to bring law suites in order to be able to use a restroom without going outside “around the corner” or down the block to the Wal-Mart.

When out with the family at a local mall or restaurant and even in some cases “High-end” resorts/hotels you would think that putting up a ramp, widening a few doors, setting a few bars around a commode would not require a certificate from Mensa. However, more often than not a “simple” barrier is the difference from independence or outright discrimination.

Then when someone has the B@#@s to stand up and say something, they are usually confronted with ignorant remarks from the “parties” that are being told about their incompliance issues towards individuals with disabilities.

I’ve heard the whispers and the comments and even have been told right out, that when “they” see a wheelchair come, the flags go up and getting service becomes even more so, like the “old-days.”

We all seen the old Western movie were a group of “Rough-necks” walk into a saloon and one of the “rough-necks” happens to be an American Indian or of another Nationality. The bartender/owner would turn to them and say “We don’t serve their kind here.” Nine out of ten times that bartender had better days before he said that. However, on a serious note (well, that was serious), it’s not so different when you are denied access to a place of business and your family and you are turned away because….?

There is no excuse, its 2012………….AD!!!

What I mean is (to get to the meat of the bone), as the years have gone by and many lessons learned sometimes the hard way, and other times the even harder way, the tears and sweat that have gone into fighting for the rights of individuals with disabilities, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, should have maintained momentum with TODAY’s individuals with disabilities, but it has not. The wheels have become squeaky.

I am witnessing the “wheels” of progress under the ADA slowdown in recent years; and because of this most unfortunate lack of momentum, many businesses, hospitals, cities, counties, states, government, etc, are pushing ADA compliance “under the rug.” These days construction for ramps, restrooms, reasonable accommodations, and even “no brainers” like parking space, are done incorrectly.

These gross violations of ADA compliance will continue to go on, and without constant reminders and advocacy (without “oiling of the wheels,” as my mother would say), it seems that the Disabled community once again is being overlooked and pushed aside; and no matter how you look at it, it is totally wrong. This is simply reversing the wheels of progress!

So I ask you, what is going on?!!

Seriously, here we have a national law that has been around for over 20+ years, and other similar laws that also coincide with the ADA, that are being violated each and every time an ADA law is violated. These other laws have been around since the mid-1960’s.

So we are definitely a nation without excuse.

In our country we consider ourselves as being a “Super Power,” an example for the world to follow. A nation that its citizens have rights and a free democracy, the “land of opportunity.” Guess what, we are indeed all of that, and we will hopefully continue to lead the world into the new era … but only as long as we keep our “wheels” oiled and our direction true.

I consider myself but a spoke in the wheel of the ADA among many. However, without you, the “Hub and Rim” of active advocacy, we are but a mess of “sticks.” Join me, and together we can OIL THE WHEELS.