Stairs on OKW slide?

[roadtripper]

re: the new OKW slide--
from the rendering Doc posted, it looks as though the slide has stairs going to the top. Does anyone know how they avoided the ADA requirement of accessibility?

We were at VWL this past August, and our 7 yr old son, who uses a w/c, was thrilled that he could be brought up the ramp to the top of the slide, and with his inner tube, slide down by himself. It was the highlight of our trip.

I was hoping for a similar experience at OKW this April, but it looks like stairs to me...anyone know for sure?

 

[kathleena]

I didn't realize they had to make slides accessible, so just interested in any answers. I'm trying to think about the BW and SAB slides and if/how they are accessible. I can't picture any access to the SAB slide except those winding stairs?

 

[mbb]

I didn't realize that either...

and no, I don't believe that SAB or BWV has any other way up other than the stairs...

Does the High Rock Springs Pool at SSR have a ramp, like VWL?

You might want to post this over on the DISAbilities Board, as well, roadtripper I'm glad that your son loved the slide at VWL, though

 

[Desperado]

I don't understand why any pool built at DVC isn't made with "0" entry to improve accessibility. I had high hopes BCV and SSR would be.

 

[gazeborob]

I think that SSR is a W/C accessible slide. I remember a ramp leading up to the top.

 

[MarkRG]

SSR's main pool IS zero entry, at the far end from the slide. The 'other'(adult? quiet? I know it's named something else, but that's what it is) pool there is a standard olympic style.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by MarkRG
SSR's main pool IS zero entry, at the far end from the slide. The 'other'(adult? quiet? I know it's named something else, but that's what it is) pool there is a standard olympic style.

That's wonderful, I did't realize that.

I wish there were more "0" entry pools at WDW.

 

[spiceycat]

give disney time - there will be - the '0' entry pool is a big hit - not only with handicapped - but for the parents of little children (who WDW is trying to attract)

 

[smjj]

Dont' panic, I am sure they will have it in compliance with all the ADA laws. It may not show up on Doc's drawing he has posted but there are quite a bit of details other than that that does not show up either..smjj

 

[kweaver]

The large slide at HRS is not accessible. There is a smaller slide into the main pool which is set up for handicapped use.

I don't think they are required to make the large slides accessible...but I'm not an expert on the subject.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by Desperado
...I wish there were more "0" entry pools at WDW.

As the father of a wheelchair-bound DS (aged 7), I make a point of knowing where the Zero-Depth-Entry pools are at WDW. SSR's feature pool definately is, and they have these great water wheelchairs available, just as they do at AKL. I am also pretty sure that there are several Zero-Depth access points to SAB (but cannot yet speak from experience there). I am pretty sure the renovated OKW pool will have some zero-depth entry points as well. Most if not all of the pools that do not have zero-depth entry points will have "Bump Steps" where a wheelchair bound person who can use his/her arms, can dismount from their chair, sit on the top step and lower themselves down the small steps using the rails (bump, bump, bump...) into the pool. VB, all the BW pools and most of the DVC "quiet" pools have this feature.

As for slides, I think it's great that even some are accessible. I am pretty sure the one at VB is not; form my recollection of the drawings of the new OKW slide, the general shape is somewhat similar to the VB slide (pls correct me here if I am mis-remembering). I had thought that any person going down the slide would have to have the ability to swim at least enough to get back to the surface after entering the pool from the slide. Sadly, our DS does not use his arms either, so has not been able to go on any of the slides, since I am not allowed to ride with him.

RoadTripper, I hope all the new slides have a way for your DS to use them. As you know, it's really nice to do something "normal" once in a while, isn't it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by pumpkinboy
As the father of a wheelchair-bound DS (aged 7), I make a point of knowing where the Zero-Depth-Entry pools are at WDW. SSR's feature pool definately is, and they have these great water wheelchairs available, just as they do at AKL.

DH and I were at SSR in July. We didn't go on the main slide at the feature pool, so I don't know if there was access besides the steps. The small toddler slide at the one side did have a ramp.
There was a zero-depth entry for the feature pool, but (and this is a big BUT for us) the pool depth for the whole pool was only 3 feet. This made it very nice for small children, but it would basically be useless for us to bring DD into the pool. We need to have 4-5 feet of water in order for us to work with her in the pool and her not to be hitting her feet on the bottom. I tried to swim in the SSR feature pool, but wasn't able to because it was too shallow. basically the adults in the pool were just sitting. I didn't see any pool wheelchairs (I didn't ask either), but basically a person in one would not have anything to do in a pool that shallow except sit in the pool wheelchair. (Do I sound disappointed? I am.)
I don't have any idea what the pool depth is at the other zero entry pools, but hope at least some have deeper water. They might not, though. When you consider that a ramp really needs to be 1 foot long for every inch it goes down, you are talking a pretty long ramp area.
They did have bump steps at the feature pool and at the quiet pool. I have noticed that they have these at the newer and renovated pools. If we could figure out a way for DD to use these, it would be great, but I can't see how. They are useful for someone with limited or no use of their legs, but good sitting balance and good use of their upper body. Since that doesn't describe my DD, we can't use those steps.

I had thought that any person going down the slide would have to have the ability to swim at least enough to get back to the surface after entering the pool from the slide. Sadly, our DS does not use his arms either, so has not been able to go on any of the slides, since I am not allowed to ride with him).

We did notice that people sometimes ended up going under the water when they came down the slide at SSR (even with the water being only 3 feet deep and even some adults). It seemed like the position coming down had something to do with whether you went under.

 

[MarkRG]

Unfortunately, that's where a balance had to be struck with these new zero entry pools.

As said above, it has two purposes.

- allow handicap access.
- allow little ones a way to walk in without stairs/ladder.

They have to strike a balance in that if they make it that easy to get in they couldn't make it too deep on the deep end to limit the risk of having a liability situation.