Handicap accessibility is, admittedly, not something I took much time to consider until I became a person who relied on specific accessible features.
Unfortunately, the term 'handicap accessible' seems to be a vague concept as opposed to a specific set of regulations, and I think it's time that we bring some of these confusions to light.
Accessibility should not simply mean a button to automatically open the front door, or a ramp to get into one door of a building. Sure, those are all great and necessary features, but those should be the bare minimum, and I think we can do better.
A couple of weeks ago, I had an appointment booked with an allergist downtown.
Unfortunately, there just is not enough parking downtown - for anyone, let alone for handicapped individuals.
I drove around, trying to find a spot near enough to the building where I was supposed to see my physician. What I began to notice is that, in at least a 5 block radius, there were zero handicap spots on the street.
There was room for a three-car-length loading zone in front of each building, there were at least 5 or 6 spaces for street-parking in front of each building, but no dedicated handicap parking spots.
I finally find a parking spot in a parkade about three blocks down.
Three blocks, for a healthy individual, is nothing.
I was very grateful to have found a spot at all, but I could not fathom the three-block jaunt with my cane, let alone trying to push myself in my wheelchair, and my eyes began to well up with tears.
Unfortunately, the term 'handicap accessible' seems to be a vague concept as opposed to a specific set of regulations, and I think it's time that we bring some of these confusions to light.
Accessibility should not simply mean a button to automatically open the front door, or a ramp to get into one door of a building. Sure, those are all great and necessary features, but those should be the bare minimum, and I think we can do better.
A couple of weeks ago, I had an appointment booked with an allergist downtown.
Unfortunately, there just is not enough parking downtown - for anyone, let alone for handicapped individuals.
I drove around, trying to find a spot near enough to the building where I was supposed to see my physician. What I began to notice is that, in at least a 5 block radius, there were zero handicap spots on the street.
There was room for a three-car-length loading zone in front of each building, there were at least 5 or 6 spaces for street-parking in front of each building, but no dedicated handicap parking spots.
I finally find a parking spot in a parkade about three blocks down.
Three blocks, for a healthy individual, is nothing.
I was very grateful to have found a spot at all, but I could not fathom the three-block jaunt with my cane, let alone trying to push myself in my wheelchair, and my eyes began to well up with tears.
The problem was also confounded by slush, snow, construction, and steep inclines.
(Sounds like many downtown streets, right?)...
I realized I would not be physically able to push myself in my own wheelchair down those streets.
I realized I would not be physically able to push myself in my own wheelchair down those streets.
I weighed my options:
Do I ask for physical help from security of this building to help me to the end of this block?
Do I call a cab to take me three blocks?
Do I risk trying to walk only with my cane?
Do I call a friend or my husband to come get me and help me?
Do I cancel this appointment?
Nearing my appointment time and not wanting to risk forfeiting it entirely, I decide, teary-eyed, to walk with my cane.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Nearly crying at every turn.
This is also when I count my blessings to be able to walk at all.
What about those who are wheelchair-bound? How are these people meant to attend appointments with physicians in this building?
I think there is a glaring misconception that handicapped people always have a caregiver. Many handicapped individuals are entirely independent. That's when these complications further limit these individuals and alienate them, unnecessarily.
This is also when I count my blessings to be able to walk at all.
What about those who are wheelchair-bound? How are these people meant to attend appointments with physicians in this building?
I think there is a glaring misconception that handicapped people always have a caregiver. Many handicapped individuals are entirely independent. That's when these complications further limit these individuals and alienate them, unnecessarily.
The building had a beautiful low-incline ramp at the entrance. This was such a relief. There were also signs pointing to an elevator. Perfect!!
When I reach the elevator, though, there were two small stairs to reach the elevator.
When I reach the elevator, though, there were two small stairs to reach the elevator.
Again, for a person with a cane, it's not that awful. To get that far in a wheelchair only to be blocked by two measly little stairs - it seems almost comical. Mocking. Taunting.
If I had decided to use my wheelchair, like I really should have, I may have just given up. I may have turned around and asked a very kind security guard to wheel me back to my vehicle as I called to cancel the appointment, while still in the building.
If I had decided to use my wheelchair, like I really should have, I may have just given up. I may have turned around and asked a very kind security guard to wheel me back to my vehicle as I called to cancel the appointment, while still in the building.
Luckily, I was able to reach my physician with two minutes to spare, and within about 10 minutes I was on my way out. (To add salt to the wound, this doctor, however kind, could not offer me any help and it felt almost a useless trip). Unfortunate, but unavoidable.
I decided to sit a while, then make the daunting trek back to the van while listening to music and trying to enjoy the snowy air. Taking my time. In no rush.
That was a bad afternoon. One that left me feeling helpless and sad.
Yet, when I went on a mini vacation to a wave pool a week later, I was shocked to have an entirely different experience.
This attraction seemed to be retrofitted for the handicapped. Not only were there ramps to go everywhere on the main level of the pool area, but there were large bathroom stalls, plus extra handicap-only single stalls to use. There were special sections, special tables, and extra room in the aisles for wheelchair users. Handrails, hand bars, special equipment, the whole gambit.
This was absolutely incredible!
I thought it was quite impressive, considering the fact that the handicap clientele of this attraction is probably quite small, especially when compared to a downtown doctor's office.
Even the basic amenities for handicap accessibility do not always work. There are some fairly simple ways to improve upon our current standards. Of course, I know that we cannot expect a full overhaul of any downtown street or every single building (especially not historic buildings), but this all has me wondering why we cannot implement new guidelines for new builds.
If you really want to know if your building is truly accessible, the following questions may help. At first glance they may seem simple, but these are common problems that SO many people struggle with on a daily basis:
1. Is there an elevator and do you need to climb stairs to reach it?
2. If the elevator breaks down or cannot be used, is there another method for the handicapped to reach different floors? What if the fire alarm is pulled - is there a backup plan: a manual service elevator, man-powered lift, or ramp?
3. Are there handicap bathroom stalls? Is the doorway to get into the main washroom large enough for a wheelchair? (If the wheelchair cannot fit through the main doorway, it cannot reach the handicap stall).
4. Can the hand-dryer or paper towel dispenser be reached from the sinks? (This one struck me as a surprisingly simple design flaw)... otherwise someone in a wheelchair can wash their hands, then get everything wet while they wheel themselves to dry their hands.... not a big issue, but still.
5. Are the aisles (in between tables, displays, seats, etc...) large enough to fit a standard wheelchair?
This attraction seemed to be retrofitted for the handicapped. Not only were there ramps to go everywhere on the main level of the pool area, but there were large bathroom stalls, plus extra handicap-only single stalls to use. There were special sections, special tables, and extra room in the aisles for wheelchair users. Handrails, hand bars, special equipment, the whole gambit.
This was absolutely incredible!
I thought it was quite impressive, considering the fact that the handicap clientele of this attraction is probably quite small, especially when compared to a downtown doctor's office.
Even the basic amenities for handicap accessibility do not always work. There are some fairly simple ways to improve upon our current standards. Of course, I know that we cannot expect a full overhaul of any downtown street or every single building (especially not historic buildings), but this all has me wondering why we cannot implement new guidelines for new builds.
If you really want to know if your building is truly accessible, the following questions may help. At first glance they may seem simple, but these are common problems that SO many people struggle with on a daily basis:
1. Is there an elevator and do you need to climb stairs to reach it?
2. If the elevator breaks down or cannot be used, is there another method for the handicapped to reach different floors? What if the fire alarm is pulled - is there a backup plan: a manual service elevator, man-powered lift, or ramp?
3. Are there handicap bathroom stalls? Is the doorway to get into the main washroom large enough for a wheelchair? (If the wheelchair cannot fit through the main doorway, it cannot reach the handicap stall).
4. Can the hand-dryer or paper towel dispenser be reached from the sinks? (This one struck me as a surprisingly simple design flaw)... otherwise someone in a wheelchair can wash their hands, then get everything wet while they wheel themselves to dry their hands.... not a big issue, but still.
5. Are the aisles (in between tables, displays, seats, etc...) large enough to fit a standard wheelchair?
Washrooms, in my opinion, should be accessible. If there are stairs to get to the washrooms but no elevator or ramp - it is not 'handicap accessible'. If you have to climb two stairs to even reach an elevator - it is not 'handicap accessible'. If the parking lot is so full of potholes or the sidewalk is filled with obstacles - it is not 'handicap accessible'.
I am not expecting that every single building and every single street be entirely accessible, although that would be the dream in an ideal world. What I am asking is that the basic necessities be standardized - that builders are required to provide the basic necessities of mobility:
1. Reliable alternative to stairs
2. Fully accessible washrooms
3. Appropriate parking stalls (which adequately allow entrance into the building)
4. Extra room in aisles and walkways
5. Basic amenities within reach (doorknobs, tables, hand bars, sinks, counter-tops, paper towels, etc...)
My biggest, and most important suggestion, is that new builds should be tested for wheelchair accessibility. Tested by someone actually in a wheelchair, making their way through the building, using the facilities, entering offices/stores/rooms/etc... maneuvering and troubleshooting problem areas.
Everyone has to adapt to uncomfortable features in every building, but if we want to include those who are not as able, then it should be truly inclusive.
**What I would also love to see is one dedicated handicap parking spot on every block in the downtown core. Not even one on each side. Not on blocks where there is no parking at all. What I mean is that if we have room to have a line of street parking on a block, there probably should be at least one dedicated handicap spot.
5. Basic amenities within reach (doorknobs, tables, hand bars, sinks, counter-tops, paper towels, etc...)
My biggest, and most important suggestion, is that new builds should be tested for wheelchair accessibility. Tested by someone actually in a wheelchair, making their way through the building, using the facilities, entering offices/stores/rooms/etc... maneuvering and troubleshooting problem areas.
Everyone has to adapt to uncomfortable features in every building, but if we want to include those who are not as able, then it should be truly inclusive.
**What I would also love to see is one dedicated handicap parking spot on every block in the downtown core. Not even one on each side. Not on blocks where there is no parking at all. What I mean is that if we have room to have a line of street parking on a block, there probably should be at least one dedicated handicap spot.
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