OKW Handicap Accessible Grand Villa Info?

[bridgemanva]

I'm hoping someone out there may have some info or actual experience with the accessibility features of the OKW grand villa. I have booked the handicap accessible grand villa for Thanksgiving week for a family get together with my sister's family and our Mom (11 of us). Mom's ambulatory however cannot take the stairs without an extended rest period following the activity. Her last vacation was challenging because this wasn't considered and the pool and barbeque deck at the hotel (an older seashore hotel) required climbing a set of stairs and rather than attempt it after the first time, she provided a variety of reasons why she wasn't joining in some activities -- and only months later acknowledeged that this was a barrier for her. Recently she has begun using a wheelchair when our activities will involve walking any distance and will be scootering through the parks; but I hope to provide a setting that presents no barriers to her enjoyment of the kids.

Other than the basic floorplan in the member guidebook I haven't been able to find pictures or even a description, the only time I saw inside a GV was our first trip home in 1994 and this is stifling my planaholic tendancies -- who will sleep where, do I need to bring a spare inflatabed, etc. Therefore I have several questions: Are the features limited to ground level entry and modified first floor bathrooms and kitchen --similar to those in the accessible one or two bedrooms which I am familiar with? Is the accessible GV two floors? According to the CM I spoke with there is only one accessible GV is this true? if so does any one what building or unit it is, as this may be helpful in planning? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Merilyn]

We have stayed in a handicapped GV several times. The one at OKW we like the best is in the building with the elevator. It is a new building up front. It is on the second floor but with the elevator it is just fine. The master bedroom has a roll in shower and there are no steps. The other 2 bedrooms are upstairs. The other handicapped GV are on the ground floor, again no steps. Email me if I can help with other questions. The master has a king bed and the other two have 2 beds each. I think queen but I am not sure. There is a sofa bed in the living room. It is plenty of room for 11. The kitchen is nice size and the table has 8 chairs with another table in the living room for 4. I just made a change to my ressie this morning an asked for a handicapped GV for Sept. I had already asked for the elevator building but I wanted to make sure I would get the handicapped GV. Call and ask them for a wheelchair for you Mom. They will give you one to use the whole time you are there and it is free. You can even take it to the parks. With a handicapped sticker you can park for free and park very close to the park, if you plan to drive. If not the buses are great with wheelchairs. I hope this has helped. Also, if your Mom needs any other handicapped items, I think you can get most of them from OKW. Just ask!

 

[fkj2]

I think there are two handicapped accessible GV; in buildings 62 and 63. We last used one in Dec. 00. There will not be any problem if your mom uses the master bedroom on the main floor. The other poster is correct; two bedrooms upstairs, each with two queen beds and a queen pull-out soft. The newer GV have a total of 4 baths, one in the hallway leading back to the master and of course a bath in each bedroom. They are incredible. If your mother tries to shower without using a chair to sit in, take a rubber mat for her to stand on. Those showers are slippery. They have grab bars as I recall and a shower curtain with drain in the floor; no edging to step over.

Make sure you notify Member Services in advance that she cannot do the stairs; they had to make a last-minute accommodation change for us when we arrived at the desk. My mom was in the same situation and could never have done the stairs. They need to know that, keeping in mind that they won't guarantee a request, even medical, you might want to consider a back-up plan of a first floor two bedroom handicapped accessible room. It's really hard to plan these things, I know all too well. Best wishes and have a great vacation.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have been told by MS that if you request a wheelchair accessible unit, it is guaranteed. The general medical requests (like requesting first floor, regular unit for medical reasons) are not guaranteed, but if your request/reservation says "for Medical Reasons", those requests are filled first before any non-medical requests are filled, so it's as close to guaranteed as possible.

 

[Merilyn]

We did ask for a handicapped room and it was guaranteed. They called and had it put in the resort computer. Make sure you call and have them guarantee it. There is a seat in the shower in the master. It can be pulled down or put up . We used it and it was very nice having the seat. The shower mat is a great idea, I hadn't thought of it.