ADA Abuses--Time for a Change in Law re: Property Violations?

[Cheshire Figment]

And then, of course, there was the recent (not ADA-related) incident here in Orlando about seven months ago.

The built a new 45,000 seat stadium on the campus of the University of Central Florida. On opening day somebody noticed that they had not installed any water fountains.

 

[MightyMom]

About two years ago our family was visiting a local furniture store. We made it to the front of the store only to realize there was no ramp for my DS to use to get into the store. He uses a wheelchair. I went inside and asked.... thinking perhaps there was another entrance that I didn't see.

The manager told me there was no accessible entrance to the store.... but we were welcome to use the loading dock in the back alley.

The loading dock had a very steep incline and once you got to the top there were no guardrails... there was a six foot drop.

I was livid.

For days I made phone calls to the city.... the state.... I wasn't sure who to call to report the incident.

After spinning my wheels I decided to find out who owned the store. I found out it was a small chain store with 14 locations nationwide. I wrote a letter to the company president and sent pictures.

Within days I received a letter with a promise to make the store accessible. They did..... but I've never been back to the store to test it out.

 

[toocherie]

And then, of course, there was the recent (not ADA-related) incident here in Orlando about seven months ago.

The built a new 45,000 seat stadium on the campus of the University of Central Florida. On opening day somebody noticed that they had not installed any water fountains.

Just curious--were they required by law to have water fountains?

I

 

[lovetoscrap]

I had posted on here back in late Oct/Early Nov about the problems I had getting around a local catalog/chain store in my manual wheelchair because of all the "stuff" they had on the floors and the displays they had to close together. I emailed the corporate office and they said they would fix the problems. Because I had surgery right after and it is not close to me I haven't had a chance to go back and see if it was fixed.

So today I went to get some Webkins items from Limited Too at the mall in a Manual Chair. The things I went to see were on a back wall and a large display table was completely blocking my access. I just turned around and asked the salesclerk for help. She immediately just pushed the entire table off to the side and I was able to get to all I needed. She also kept a comfortable distance (not hovering) in case I needed anything up high. I certainly appreciated that. Not worth suing or making any kind of complaint about. A few minutes later I was looking at another rack in another part of the store and I couldn't get to the back because of the proximity of another table. I just asked another clerk which Webkinz were on the back that I couldn't see and she reached back and pulled out one of each. Again. That is all I ask for.

I guess the right fighters would say that is not acceptable? I shouldn't have to ask for help or have any barriers?? The store is small. It is frustrating. But as long as it is easy to move things and someone is happy and willing to help and I can get to things I don't mind. I really prefer that to many of the big box stores where I can't maneuver around in their own ECV's --completely handicapped accessible but I find them way more difficult to get around and there is never any one around to help!

I think I am rambling now.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

So today I went to get some Webkins items from Limited Too at the mall in a Manual Chair. The things I went to see were on a back wall and a large display table was completely blocking my access. I just turned around and asked the salesclerk for help. She immediately just pushed the entire table off to the side and I was able to get to all I needed. She also kept a comfortable distance (not hovering) in case I needed anything up high. I certainly appreciated that. Not worth suing or making any kind of complaint about. A few minutes later I was looking at another rack in another part of the store and I couldn't get to the back because of the proximity of another table. I just asked another clerk which Webkinz were on the back that I couldn't see and she reached back and pulled out one of each. Again. That is all I ask for.

I guess the right fighters would say that is not acceptable? I shouldn't have to ask for help or have any barriers?? The store is small. It is frustrating. But as long as it is easy to move things and someone is happy and willing to help and I can get to things I don't mind. I really prefer that to many of the big box stores where I can't maneuver around in their own ECV's --completely handicapped accessible but I find them way more difficult to get around and there is never any one around to help!

I think I am rambling now.

Well, in an ideal world everything would be fully accessible and everyone could access everything in every shop. However, I understand that shops have limited space, and that sometimes, if everything was within easy reach for wheelchair users, they wouldn't be able to display and sell enough stock to stay open. I don't expect a shop to go out of business because of me!

That said, I think shops should at least make an effort. If I can get in, get between the aisles and either reach, or get help to reach, anything I want to buy, I'm perfectly happy. Sure it is irritating to not be able to see or reach everything, but as long as the shop makes a real effort and does everything within reason to make my life easier, I don't feel the need to complain. Also, if there weren't any high shelves, how could I make my jokes about Marmite being a 'top shelf' product?

 

[toocherie]

That said, I think shops should at least make an effort. If I can get in, get between the aisles and either reach, or get help to reach, anything I want to buy, I'm perfectly happy. Sure it is irritating to not be able to see or reach everything, but as long as the shop makes a real effort and does everything within reason to make my life easier, I don't feel the need to complain. Also, if there weren't any high shelves, how could I make my jokes about Marmite being a 'top shelf' product?

LOL--ok, what's Marmite? (I'm obviously out of the loop!)

And fyi, even for those of use who don't use a wheelchair, but are "height-challenged" many of the top shelves in stores are inaccessible. . . . and I usually find some employee to help me (even though it can be a challenge). Shoot--I can't even use all the cupboards in my kitchen!

 

[mechurchlady]

I spend a lot of time in chat with people from the UK as well as around the world. The kids love Marmite on bread. It is yeast, salt, vitamins, vegetable extract and celery flavouring. It is eaten like jelly usually on crackers, cookies, or toast/bread. It is something you hate fiercely or love dearly.

There is also Vegemite in Australia and the New Zealand marmite which is a different recipe. UK version is gluten free but I aint got the nerve to try it, lol.